August 17, 2011
WatermelonFest kicks off Week of Welcome
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Nothing says welcome (back) to Southern Illinois University Carbondale like watermelon.
New students have the Saluki Startup starting today (Aug. 17), and then the Week of Welcome, Sunday to Sunday, Aug. 21-28, welcomes back returning Salukis and extends the welcome to the new students.
Media Advisory
Members of the media, including reporters, camera crews and photographers are welcome to cover events during the first week of the new academic year at the University. We suggest the WatermelonFest, a revived tradition. The event is 2-4 p.m., Aug. 21, on the front lawn of Morris Library.
The first event kicking off the Week of Welcome, appropriately nicknamed WOW, is WatermelonFest, a reawakened tradition initiated by former University President Delyte Morris and carried on today by Chancellor Rita Cheng. The event, fittingly, takes place on the front lawn at Morris Library, where students have a chance to meet their chancellor in an informal setting.
Here is the full schedule of events.
Aug. 21 (Sunday)
• University Honors Program Orientation, 1:30-3:30 p.m., John C. Guyon Auditorium, Morris Library.
• WatermelonFest with the Chancellor, 2-4 p.m., Morris Library (front lawn)
Students have the chance to meet Chancellor Rita Cheng in an informal setting and enjoy the ultimate summer fruit, watermelon.
• Find Your Classrooms, 3 p.m., begin in front of Morris Library.
Students bring their class schedules for the opportunity to meet their Residence Hall Advisors and get a guided tour to their classrooms. Commuter students have a similar opportunity -- they should meet at the Student Center main entrance.
• Beach Bash 2011, 5-8 p.m., Campus Beach.
Free food and prizes, check. Live music, check. Volleyball, check. Yes, it’s Beach Bash 2011. All students are welcome to this welcoming party on the University’s own beach.
Aug. 22 (Monday)
First day of the fall 2011 semester.
• Welcome tents, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., various locations around campus.
Maps! Directions! A friendly word for students who are lost, confused, tired, or just stopping by for a minute.
• Meet the Fraternities, 4-7 p.m., Grinnell Lower Level (Brush Towers)
Learn about Greek life on campus. SIUC is home to local chapters of several national fraternities and sororities that foster academics and leadership. Students who attend this event can meet representatives of these organizations and learn more to help them decide if Greek life appeals to them.
Aug. 23 (Tuesday)
• Welcome tents, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., various locations around campus.
Maps! Directions! A friendly word for students who are lost, confused, tired, or just stopping by for a minute.
• Student Employment Opportunities Fair, 2-5 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms
Students interested in job opportunities both on and off campus can jump-start their job search at this event. Not only can they learn what is available right now, but they can also learn how to prepare for employment opportunities in the future.
• Meet Me on Main, 6-8 p.m., Student Recreation Center (Front Lawn)
Carbondale Main Street, local businesses and campus departments welcome new and returning students with games, prizes and free food. Games include laser tag and an inflatable rock-climbing wall, or show off in the talent show
• Residence Hall Association (RHA) and Black Togetherness Organization (BTO) Open House, 7-9 p.m., Lower Level Grinnell Hall (Brush Towers)
Take charge of your daily life by getting involved with the RHA or the BTO and learn how you can make a difference in your residence hall.
• Sorority Recruitment Informational Night, 7-8 pm., Student Center Video Lounge (fourth floor)
Students can learn more about SIUC’s three Panhellenic sororities. Register ahead of time at www.bit.ly/siupanhellenic or just show up with your questions.
Aug. 24 (Wednesday)
• Welcome tents, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., various locations around campus.
Maps! Directions! A friendly word for students who are lost, confused, tired, or just stopping by for a minute.
• College of Mass Communication and Media Arts Registered Student Organization Fair, 4:30-6 p.m., Studio A, Communications Building.
• Meet the Fraternities, 4-7 p.m., Lentz Hall (Thompson Point)
Learn about Greek life on campus. SIUC is home to local chapters of several national fraternities and sororities that foster academics and leadership. Students who attend this event can meet representatives of these organizations and learn more to help them decide if Greek life appeals to them.
Aug. 25 (Thursday)
• School of Music Orientation, 10-11 a.m., Altgeld Hall, Room 112
• Student Center Open House, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Student Center
• Linguistics Orientation, 1-2 p.m., Mississippi Room, Student Center
• Paralegal Studies Orientation, 3:30-5 p.m., Faner Courtyard (Faner Hall, outside Room 2427)
• Registered Student Organization (RSO) and Volunteerism Fair, 5-7 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms
SIUC has more than 400 RSOs -- students can find one or more to suit their interests, and also explore opportunities for service learning by volunteering.
• Free film -- “Bridesmaids,” 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Aug. 26 (Friday)
• Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment (Round One), 5-10 p.m., Student Center Ballroom B
Students interested in joining a sorority should pre-register at www.bit/ly/siupanhellenic. This event is an opportunity for interested students to learn more about the sororities and to decide which might be the best fit.
• Saluki Football Scrimmage, 7-9 p.m., Saluki Stadium
• Free film -- “Bridesmaids,” 7 and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Aug. 27 (Saturday)
• Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment (Round Two), 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom B.
Students interested in joining a sorority should pre-register at www.bit/ly/siupanhellenic. This event is an opportunity for interested students to learn more about the sororities and to decide which might be the best fit.
• Non-Traditional Student Cookout and Family Carnival, 3-6 p.m., Evergreen Park.
• Free film -- “Bridesmaids,” 7 and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium
Aug. 28 (Sunday)
• Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment (Round Three), Noon-4:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom B
Students interested in joining a sorority should pre-register at www.bit/ly/siupanhellenic. This event is an opportunity for interested students to learn more about the sororities and to decide which might be the best fit -- and it’s the last event of it’s kind this week.
• Res 2 Rec, 5-9 p.m., Student Recreation Center -- Recreational Sports Complex (near the baseball and softball fields)
• Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment (Bid Night), 7:30-9:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom B
Those who participated in recruitment activities find out if they are to join a sorority on this night.