August 07, 2024
SIU giving a big Saluki welcome to students with special events as new school year starts
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is welcoming new and returning students to campus during Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome with a wide variety of special activities designed to help them get them acquainted with campus, the community and one another, learn about resources available to them, set them on the pathway to Saluki success and start the fall semester off on a great note.
“Providing the students an immersive, educational and exciting experience as they transition to — or back to — SIU is our main goal,” said Jennifer Phillips, director of New Student Programs, which coordinates many of the activities. “We work to ensure that each event is fun and provides an environment where Salukis can interact and learn about all of the aspects that make SIU the special place it is."
In 2024, many of the traditional events students have embraced and attended by the thousands return, but there are some exciting new additions, Phillips said.
One of the major highlights is open to everyone. The free, outdoor Sunset Concert Encore at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 will be held at the Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion. Rooted in So.IL, a Metropolis-based band, draws crowds performing classic rock, Americana and blues cover songs.
Dawg Days help new students successfully start
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center is hosting 100 Salukis Aug. 11-14 for SIU’s Dawg Days New Student Retreat, a popular overnight program designed to help new students transition successfully into college life.
The retreat features outdoor activities, games, networking events and so much more to help them build relationships with one another, connect with campus leaders, faculty and staff, and develop a personal connection and sense of belonging. More than 30 volunteer student staff counselors, who are former participants, work with TON staff to lead the new students as they discover Saluki traditions, the SIU support system and more while enjoying activities such as canoe battleship, a costume party, duct-tape dodgeball, a giant swing and broomball.
Move-in
SIU faculty and staff have been preparing all summer to ensure students have a smooth, red-carpet move-in to their campus home away from home. Numerous volunteers from throughout campus and the community will be on hand to help more than 2,800 students and their families move in to University Housing facilities Aug. 14 and 16, said Kendra Bumpus, director of University Housing and Residence Life.
University Housing is providing all volunteers with lanyards and name badges so they will be easily identifiable for safety and security purposes. Bumpus said the volunteers are a huge help to the students and families and they give students a chance to get acquainted with the many volunteer organizations and opportunities to get involved.
University Housing will have water stations at various locales. In addition, University Health and Wellness pop-up tents will offer popsicles and water.
University Housing’s Culinary and Nutrition Services is running a move-in special that is open to anyone only on Aug. 14. All-you-care-to-eat meals in Trueblood and Lenz Halls are available for the reduced price of $7; that includes Trueblood’s The Grill, a Mongolian-style grill where you choose your ingredients. Just pay at the door via debit card, credit card or Debit Dawg.
Taste of Carbondale premieres
The inaugural Taste of Carbondale, a collaborative event sponsored by SIU, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and Southern Illinois Eats, is set for Aug. 14. Local eating establishments will offer complimentary food samples to students and their families to help them get acquainted with some of the delicious fare and menus available in the city.
After students are settled in their residences that day, their families are invited to join the Saluki Family Association for Sweet Goodbyes. It’s a chance to grab a free sweet treat, write a letter to be delivered to their student during the first couple of weeks of class, sign up for the parent newsletter and be assured that their Saluki is in good hands, Phillips said.
Making connections through Saluki Startup
Helping new and returning students get acquainted and forge a strong Saluki family bond is what Saluki Startup, Aug. 14-18, is all about.
One of the most popular events, Light up the Lake, drew some 1,600 students last year. It’s a sight to behold as Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion will literally “light up” on Aug. 15 with glow-in-the dark games and activities.
Earlier that day, a couple of new programs will launch. That morning, there will be an academic showcase giving students a chance to learn more about their colleges, and that afternoon, they will “Choose Your Own Adventure.” Some students will take a shuttle ride to Touch of Nature for high-flying fun on the giant swing or the “pamper pole,” and others will make a difference as they take part in a community service project.
The Saluki Kickoff at Saluki Stadium, a massive pep rally, follows on Aug. 16.
Another addition to the 2024 lineup is the Student Affinity Breakfast on Aug. 17, giving students the chance to learn all about SIU resources and services, including Student Multicultural Resource Center, Veteran Affairs, Campus Ministries, TRIO and so much more.
That evening is Dawg’s Nite Out at the Student Center, complete with inflatables, laser tag, mini golf, a balloon artist, giveaways, food and fun galore from 7 to 11 p.m. The Chancellor’s Welcome Fest on Aug. 18 is a popular long-standing SIU tradition and Chancellor Austin A. Lane, along with other SIU faculty and staff, will join students for a relaxed “day in the park” vibed afternoon.
Welcoming weeks
The big Saluki-style “welcome back” continues through Aug. 31, with a variety of diverse Weeks of Welcome, or WOW, activities. Planning is still underway for many of the events and more activities are being added to the schedule daily.
Find the current Weeks of Welcome schedule of events online and check back often for updates.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover many of SIU’s Move-in, Dawg Days New Student Retreat, Saluki Startup and Weeks of Welcome activities.
Opportune times to visit Dawg Days, set for Aug. 11-14 at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, about 8 miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road, include:
- Monday, Aug. 12, about 4-4:30 p.m. when Chancellor Austin Lane and Cheryl Tucker, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, will visit with the new Salukis.
- Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 9:15 a.m. when participants will be gathering for a group photo.
- Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6 :30 p.m. as the “Adventure” games begin with the “Seenwahs” and “Ikulahs” teams going head-to-head in games throughout the camp.
- On Aug. 12 and 13 from noon to 1 p.m., faculty and staff from SIU will join students for lunch and getting acquainted.
For more details about Dawg Days, contact Morgan Kruse, assistant director of campus programs, at 618-453-2906 or morgan.kruse@siu.edu.
You are welcome to cover move-in, which will take place at these times and locations:
- Sunday, Aug. 11 – select early arrival student groups will be moving in from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. including band members, some athletes, Hope Chicago and others.
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 – first-year/new students will move in to all residence hall locations, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 16 – returning students will move in to various locations, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
For more information or an interview regarding move-in, contact Kendra Bumpus, director of University Housing and Residence Life, at kendra.bumpus@siu.edu or 618-453-2301 or Jim Hunsaker, senior associate director of operations, at 618-453-1067 or 618-201-2211 (cell) or jhuns@siu.edu.
There is a wide variety of events to cover during Saluki Startup/Weeks of Welcome. Highlights include:
- Taste of Carbondale — Aug. 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Student Services Building pavilion. A collaborative event sponsored by SIU, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and Southern Illinois Eats with local eating establishments offering complimentary samples to families/students to help them get acquainted with what’s available in the community.
- Light up the Lake — Aug. 15, 7-9 p.m., Campus Lake/Becker Pavilion. Glow-in-the dark games, activities and more.
- Saluki Kickoff — Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m. Saluki Stadium. The Saluki band will split in half to form two groups. Each will lead a parade departing a different section of campus (east and west) at 6 p.m. followed by new students, converging on Saluki Stadium about 6:30 p.m. Head football coach Nick Hill, Athletic Director Tim Leonard, Chancellor Austin Lane and Steve Falat, Saluki Athletics public address announcer and River Radio general manager/market manager, will participate in the festivities. A big class photo will be taken as well.
- Student Affinity Breakfast — 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 17 in Rooms 150-170 at the Student Services Building.
- Chancellor’s Welcome Fest — Aug. 18, 1-3 p.m., Shryock Auditorium lawn. Chancellor Austin Lane and other faculty and staff will join students for this long-time tradition featuring water games, arts and crafts, refreshments and assorted other entertainment and activities.
Find the complete schedule of events at wow.siu.edu/saluki-startup.php. To learn more about Saluki Startup or Weeks of Welcome, contact Jennifer Phillips, director of New Student Programs, at jennifer.phillips@siu.edu or 618-453-6419.