August 18, 2010
School year starts with a full ‘Week of Welcome’
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- When Southern Illinois University Carbondale says “Welcome,” it’s with an emphatic WOW -- an entire Week of Welcome.
WOW runs Aug. 22-29 with special activities to introduce and welcome new and returning students to the University and community. You can eat watermelon with the chancellor, enjoy a blast at the beach, take in a free flick, participate in all kinds of exciting games and lots more. Of course, many of the events feature free food and giveaways, too.
Here are the highlights of WOW 2010:
Sunday, Aug. 22
• Find Your Classrooms, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Resident Assistants and Student Life Advisors will give guided tours, helping students find their classrooms. Those residing on campus will connect with RAs for their tours. Off-campus students will meet at the Student Center entrance for tours.
• WatermelonFest with the Chancellor, 2-4:30 p.m., Old Main Mall (in front of Shryock Auditorium). More than six decades ago, during the late Delyte Morris’s University presidency, he began the tradition of serving watermelon to students to welcome them for the school year. The tradition continues in 2010 as Chancellor Rita Cheng invites students to join her for a slice of cold watermelon and a time of fun, games and getting acquainted. WTAO radio will be on-site, too.
• Natural Hair Play Date and Product Swap, 4-8 p.m., Student Center. African American students, faculty and staff will gather to learn new hairstyles to create at home and to swap ethnic hair products.
• Beach Bash 2010, 5-8 p.m., campus beach. Enjoy free food, live music and sand volleyball. There also will be assorted freebies and prizes.
Monday, Aug. 23
• Watering Hole, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Washington Square C parking area. Stop in and get free cold water while you’re waiting to get your parking sticker or taking care of campus business.
Tuesday, Aug. 24
• Watering Hole, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Washington Square C parking area. Get free cold water while it lasts.
• Cookout at the Lake, 5 p.m., campus boat dock. Come enjoy a cookout with free food, games and boat rides. The evening wraps up with a giant cross-campus scavenger hunt!
• Meet Me on Main, 6-9 p.m., Student Recreation Center. Carbondale Main Street, local businesses and various SIUC units will welcome new and returning students in style. Enjoy games, prizes, free food and more. The activities include laser tag, the inflatable rock-climbing wall, bags toss, demonstrations and lots of tasty treats. Discover many of the popular downtown shops and restaurants and enjoy giveaways. A guided downtown tour includes visits at some of the businesses and qualifies you to win assorted prizes, including $100 cash and gift certificates from downtown merchants.
• Aikido Demonstration, 7 p.m., Student Recreation Center. The SIUC Aikido Club presents a free aikido demonstration.
• Black Togetherness Organization and Residence Hall Association “Cool Social,” 7-9:15 p.m., lower level, Grinnell Hall. While enjoying refreshments and music, find out about these organizations and their members and how to get involved in leadership groups on campus.
Wednesday, Aug. 25
• Watering Hole, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Washington Square C parking area, free water.
• Autumn Mist, 7-9 p.m., lower level, Grinnell Hall. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) will lead a discussion about how new students can succeed in their new SIUC learning environment. The informative talk will offer ideas for maintaining good grades and sense of self while enjoying the social opportunities of the campus and community.
Thursday, Aug. 26
• Watering Hole, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Washington Square C parking area, free water.
• RSO and Volunteerism Fair, 5-7 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms. There are more than 400 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at SIUC. This is your opportunity to find out all about them and how you can get involved.
• “Shrek Forever After,” 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. See the popular green ogre’s latest and last adventure free! The public is welcome at the movie too.
Friday, Aug. 27
• Sorority Recruitment, 5 p.m., Wakeland Hall. The Pan-Hellenic sororities Alpha Gamma Delta, Delta Zeta and Sigma Kappa are hosting this recruitment event and it is also a great chance to get acquainted with other women on campus. For more information or to sign up, look online at www.siugreeks.com.
• “Shrek Forever After,” 7 and 9:30 p.m. movie showings, Student Center Auditorium. Free.
Saturday, Aug. 28
• Watering Hole, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Washington Square C parking area, free cold water.
• Sorority Recruitment for Alpha Gamma Delta, Delta Zeta an Sigma Kappa, 5 p.m., Wakeland Hall. See www.siugreeks.com to sign up or for more information.
• “Shrek Forever After,” free movie showing at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium.
Sunday, Aug. 29
• Res 2 Rec, 1-6 p.m., Sam Rinella Fields, near Brush Towers. Spend the afternoon enjoying fun and games with friends new and old. Of course, there is free food, too!
• Sorority Recruitment for Alpha Gamma Delta, Delta Zeta and Sigma Kappa, 5 p.m., Wakeland Hall. Sign up or get more information at www.siugreeks.com.
Unless otherwise noted, everything is free for SIUC students. Bring your University ID because it is your admission ticket.
During Week of Welcome, some offices, including the identification office and the University Bookstore, both located in the Student Center, will have special hours.
For more information about WOW, look online at http://wow.siu.edu/ or contact New Student Programs at 618/453-1000.