Southeastern launches semester with Welcome Week
Thursday, August 2, 2018
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Students new and returning to Southeastern Louisiana University are
invited to jumpstart the fall semester with a multitude of activities and events offered
through Welcome Week.
Scheduled Aug. 12-18, Welcome Week is intended to help students make Southeastern
their home away from home and to settle into campus life as classes begin, said Eric
Summers, vice president of Student Affairs.
“Adjusting to university life can be challenging, especially for new, beginning
students,” Summers said. “Our hope is that their participation in Welcome Week will
lessen their anxieties and prepare them for a successful semester.”
Welcome Week starts Sunday, Aug. 12, in the Student Union Ballroom with “Move-in
Mane-ia,” scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students are to check in at the Student
Union where they will meet their residence assistants, pick up keys and participate
in a one-stop-shop of information and services available to resident students. Volunteers
will be available to help students settle into the university’s residence halls.
Dinner will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Union.
Resident students and family members can enjoy their first meal in Southeastern’s
innovative dining hall, the Mane Dish, before saying goodbye to family and friends.
The guest meal price is $8.75. Later that evening from 7 to 9 p.m., Late Night at
the REC will feature high-energy socializing, fun and games at the Pennington Student
Activity Center.
Monday, Aug. 13, starts with Taking Care of Business, where students can obtain
textbooks and tend to any financial transactions from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oops, I
Forgot entails free trips on the Southeastern Lion Traxx shuttles to Hammond Square
Mall where students can pick up last-minute essential items from 10 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. Pick-up is scheduled by the Housing Office at Pride Hall. Monday will close out
with a 6:30 p.m. paint party at Lee Hall Field located in the campus housing complex.
Tuesday, Aug. 14, is Team Up Tuesday, a service opportunity for students to help
Southeastern’s athletic teams prepare their facilities for the upcoming season. Students
will perform a few hours of community service from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with players
from the baseball, golf, tennis, track and basketball teams. Check in for the event
is 9 a.m. at the Student Union Mall.
The evening concludes with Strawberry Jam, the traditional kick-off party for
all students. Sponsored by Olive Garden the event will take place in Strawberry Stadium
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Students are invited to parade with Southeastern student-athletes,
cheerleaders, Lionettes, and Spirit of the Southland Band from North Campus to Strawberry
Stadium for the official 2018-19 athletic season celebration kick-off.
On the first day of class, Wednesday, Aug. 15, students can stop by the Just
Ask Me tents across campus to get answers to all their first-day questions from university
faculty, staff, student leaders and volunteers. Maps and other resources will be available
at the tents, which will be open from 7:30 to 11 a.m. University Police officers will
also be available across campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Blue and You: Cool Off
with Cops to hand out water and answer students’ questions. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. in the Student Union students can check their vitals and get information about
the Campus Rec and Health Center at Viva la Vitals. Also, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
students can find out more about involvement in university organizations during Get
the Scoop in the Student Union Quad, where they will be treated to a Louisiana summer
favorite -- snowballs.
Also on Wednesday, Rec-A-Palooza is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Pennington
Student Activity Center, where students can preview all the programs the Rec has to
offer for the fall semester and enjoy yard games, music, contests and prizes. The
day concludes with the CAB After Dark Luau at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Park. Sponsored
by the Campus Activities Board, the event is a late night block party that will include
live Polynesian dancers, games and food.
Thursday, Aug. 16, will again feature the Just Ask Me tents from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
and Blue and You: Cool Off with Cops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across campus, as well
as Viva la Vitals from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union. Also on Thursday,
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Mall, students can participate in City
Sampler. Area businesses will be on hand to distribute free food samples, giveaways
and coupons while introducing their products and services to the student body.
On Friday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m., students can participate in the Welcome
Week Block Party on SGA Drive. Sponsored by the Student Government Association, the
Office of Student Engagement and University Housing, the party will include a student
organization browse, Greek showcase, and food truck rally, where students can use
Truck Bucks they have earned throughout the week or purchase food with cash.
Saturday, Aug. 18, will feature Survive the Drive from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Pennington
Student Activity Center. An alcohol prevention program, the event includes a community
expo, games and more. Survive the Drive hosted by Tangipahoa Reshaping Attitudes for
Community Change Coalition (TRACC), the University Counseling Center, and the Office
of Student Advocacy and Accountability.
For more information on any Welcome Week activities or events, go to www.southeastern.edu/welcomeweek or contact the Office of Student Engagement at 985-549-2120.
