August 14, 2012
‘Saluki Startup’ welcome events begin Aug. 15
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- They bring with them vitality, enthusiasm, color, the life of the town in so many ways. And they are due back mostly beginning Wednesday, Aug. 15.
Saluki Startup, a long weekend's worth of "getting to know you" activities for new students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, begins Aug. 15 and lasts through Aug. 19. Fall 2012 semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 20.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover events during Saluki Startup; a full schedule of events is available at salukistartup.siu.edu/. Some events that might be of particular interest include WelcomeFest (7-9 p.m., Aug. 16, Student Recreation Center); Chancellor's New Student Convocation (5-6 p.m., Aug. 17, SIU Arena); Dawgs Nite Out (8 p.m.-midnight, Aug. 17, Student Center); WatermelonFest with the Chancellor (2-3:30 p.m., Aug. 19, Morris Library lawn). Contact Phil Campbell at 618/453-1000 (office) or 314/397-3005 (cell); or Andy Morgan (618/453-5714 (office) or 618/534-2999 (cell) for more information on specific events.
Saluki Startup is the University's way of introducing new students to SIU Carbondale and Saluki culture. A highlight event is the Chancellor Rita Cheng's New Student Convocation that begins at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, in the SIU Arena. In its second year, the formal greeting to students is a welcome to the academic world of the possibility and opportunity that college represents, and to the unique research and creative projects available at SIU Carbondale.
Also on the academic side is Saluki Survival Skills (1-4 p.m., Aug. 17), during which students visit their major colleges or participate in pre-major learning sessions. This event helps students learn about resources, requirements and options available to them.
WelcomeFest (7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, Student Recreation Center) gives the Carbondale community a chance to join the University in welcoming students to the Carbondale area. Vendors and SIU Carbondale departments come together to present a fun evening of activities, giveaways and free food. Other chances students have to meet community members include "Meet Carbondale" which is 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, in the Trueblood and Lentz residence dining halls, and "Houses of Faith," from 5-6 p.m., Aug. 18, at Rinella Field near the Towers.
Fun-filled activities to help students make new friends and renew acquaintances include the "Southern Social," from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Saluki Stadium. The fun will feature a pep rally with the Saluki football and volleyball teams, cheerleaders, Saluki Shakers, and Marching Salukis. From 8 p.m. to midnight, "Dawgs Night Out," at the Student Center will give students numerous activities, along with food specials for students.
In addition to opportunities to meet Chancellor Cheng during student move-in or at the convocations, students have another opportunity during "WatermelonFest with the Chancellor" from 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 19, on the Morris Library lawn.
A full, descriptive event schedule is at salukistartup.siu.edu/.