It’s going to be hard for students to choose: Library tours, mandatory measles immunizations, outdoor program registration, Alcohol 101, a work-study job fair, tie-dyeing and more.
These are just a few of the activities scheduled in an annual effort to welcome new students to campus during Week of Welcome 2000, Sept. 20-24.
The five days are set up “to welcome students to campus and get them connected to the environment here at the UO,” Director of Student Orientation Programs Laura Connell said.
If students attended an Introducktion orientation program during the summer months, they have already met with academic advisers and registered for classes and gotten that business out of the way, Connell said.
However, 30 to 35 percent of the University student population did not attend Introducktion and those students have pertinent business to take care of during WOW, Connell said.
However, even if you’ve already registered for classes, WOW 2000 still has much to offer with back-to-back activities scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Additionally, WOW is an opportunity for student groups to recruit new members, and for students to get involved and sample the options.
During WOW 2000 the Associated Students of the University of Oregon will be engaged in a huge voter registration drive while also recruiting volunteers and interns, ASUO President Jay Breslow said.
“We’ll be talking with people on the street,” Breslow said. “Letting them know who we are, what we do and how we can help folks.”
An event which Connell encourages students not to miss is a campus visit from two MTV “Real World” participants, David Burns and Lindsay Brien, who will speak about their perspective college experiences, while also engaging in a Q&A session with audience members. This event will take place Sept. 22 in the EMU Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m.
Additionally, Connell hopes students will attend the University Welcome Rally scheduled for Sept. 24 in MacArthur Court at 8 p.m. The rally will include presentations by University President Dave Frohnmayer and motivational speaker Will Kiem, along with participation by the ASUO, the University cheerleaders and the campus pep band.
Students and faculty alike have put forth a lot of energy and effort in preparation for an exciting WOW 2000.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the entire program run smoothly for the Week of Welcome,” said Kevin Reichelt, student director of orientation. “I am also looking forward to the evening social programs for new students.”
In final preparation for the new term ahead, Connell advises students to be sure they are registered for their classes, have taken their placement tests and bought their books.
“It’s a good idea, especially for first-year students, to find their classes [before the first day of class],” Connell said.
In an effort to make this task easier, Student Orientation staff members will be offering a campus tour Sept. 24, commencing at Oregon Hall at 10:30 a.m.
Students should be sure to peruse the WOW 2000 brochure to make sure that interesting events aren’t missed during this jam-packed week of campus activity. Brochures are available at 372 Oregon Hall in the Orientation Office.