Students, get involved! It’s time to make new friends and learn about the University during UT’s First Weeks events.
“We are excited to welcome all our new and continuing students to campus beginning this week,” said Sabina Elizondo-Serratos, associate director of the Office of Student Involvement. “We encourage everyone to join in the excitement for any or all of the programs scheduled as part of our annual Division of Student Affairs First Weeks programming.
“First Weeks is a great way to introduce our new students to their campus, faculty, staff and peers. It is also serves as a ‘welcome back’ for our continuing students as they prepare to buckle down for fall semester.”
This year’s events include:
Thursday, Aug. 16
• Greek Welcome BBQ, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Flatlands. New students and parents are welcome to partake of food and beverages.
• MORE — Multicultural Orientation: Retention and Empowerment, 4 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Kickoff of two-day program designed to bring together first-year, multicultural students to help with the transition from high school to college.
• Freshman Bonfire, 9 p.m., the Flatlands. Come learn about the Resident Student Association, meet the Blue Crew, and take part in a UT tradition by painting the spirit rock!
Friday, Aug. 17
• Commuter Student Reception, 2 to 4 p.m., Student Union Ingman Room. First-year commuter students and transfer students can connect with each other and faculty and staff before the New Student Convocation.
• New Student Convocation, 4 p.m., Savage Arena. All new students are required to attend part two of their orientation program, where they’ll receive tips on how to navigate their first semester and learn what it means to be a Rocket.
• After-Convocation Barbecue, 5 p.m., outside Savage Arena. All new students are invited to this event, which will feature music, food, inflatables, photo booth and prizes.
• Foam Dance Party, 7 p.m., the Flatlands. Get ready to dance and be lathered in foam!
Saturday, Aug. 18
• Sig Ep Slip and Slide, 11 a.m., Parks Tower Hill. Meet classmates and have some fun and free food.
• Highligter Party, 8 p.m., Rocky’s Attic. Check out this welcome-back-to-school event.
Sunday, Aug. 19
• Campus Activities and Programming Barbecue, noon, Centennial Mall.
• Jam Session, 2 p.m., Centennial Mall. This event offers an introduction to some of UT’s multicultural student organizations and support offices, and it’ll include a step show.
Monday, Aug. 20
• Welcome Station Launch Pads, 8 a.m., various areas across Main Campus. Administrators, faculty and staff will be on hand to answer questions and hand out water bottles and gifts while supplies last.
• “Sex Squares,” 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Game similar to “Hollywood Squares” will feature HIV, STD and sex-related questions.
Tuesday, Aug. 21
• Welcome Station Launch Pads, 8 a.m., various areas across Main Campus. Administrators, faculty and staff will be on hand to answer questions and hand out water bottles and gifts while supplies last.
• Comedy on the Steps, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Student Union steps. Stop by for the free comedy show!
Wednesday, Aug. 22
• Student Organization Fair, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Centennial Mall. There’s an organization for everyone; see for yourself! Get involved!
• Student Job Fair, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Looking for a job? Stop by and bring a resumé for a chance to talk to employers.
Thursday, Aug. 23
• Campus Activities and Programming Flix on the Bricks, location to be announced, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24
• Free High Ropes Day, 7 to 9 p.m., Student Recreation Center. Come hang out to learn how to navigate the high ropes course.
Saturday, Aug. 25
• Fall Into Fitness, noon, Student Recreation Center. Meet the exercise team and get a good workout while sampling fitness classes.
Tuesday, Aug. 28
• Meet the National Pan-Hellenic Council Greeks, 7 to 9 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Activities and information fair on fraternities and sororities.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
• Meet the Sororities, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Sororities will give presentations for all students interested in recruitment.
Saturday, Sept. 1
• Rocket to the Point, 8:45 a.m., meet at Transportation Center for a trip to Cedar Point. For $20, you can ride a bus to the amusement park, receive a park ticket and a meal. Space is limited; tickets on sale at Rocket Copy in the Student Union.
Tuesday, Sept. 4
• Meet the Rho Gammas, 7 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Women signed up for sororities will be placed in groups for recruitment week activities.
Wednesday, Sept. 5
• President’s Backyard Barbecue, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Centennial Mall. UT President Lloyd Jacobs invites the entire campus community to this annual event.
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 11 and 12
• Commuter Student Ice Cream Social, 5 to 7 p.m., Cold Stone Creamery, 4038 Talmadge Road. Meet other commuters and have some free ice cream. Students must bring ID and Rocket number; limited number of vouchers available. Vouchers must be used day issued.
Thursday, Sept. 13
• International Student Association Welcome Dinner, 5 to 8 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. Try some free food from around the world, play some games, and meet new people.
Friday, Sept. 14
• Music Fest, 3 p.m. to midnight, grassy area south of the Memorial Field House, adjacent to Centennial Mall. See Bowling for Soup, Gloriana, Tyler Hilton, jazz artists Alexander Zonjic and Jeff Lorber, K’JON, HotSauce, and The Dumb Easies.
Saturday, Sept. 15
• President’s Tailgate, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., tent near Rocket Hall and University Parks Trail. Meet UT President Lloyd Jacobs, play some games for a chance to win prizes, eat some free food, and listen to music before the UT-Bowling Green State University football game.
• Rocket Landing Tailgate, 4:45 to 6:45 p.m., Student Recreation Center Patio. Psyche up for the I-75 rivalry and celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month! There’ll be free food and prizes.
• UT vs. Bowling Green State University, 7 p.m., Glass Bowl. Students are admitted free with their Rocket ID; faculty and staff can buy tickets half off with ID; $34.
For more information on these events, call the Office of Student Involvement at 419.530.4944.
