Southeastern launches semester with Welcome Week
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
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. 18-25, 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. 18, 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 key card details and
room 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. 19, 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. The event
titled Oops, I Forgot entails free trips on the Southeastern Lion Traxx shuttles to
Hammond Square Mall, where students can shop for 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. 20, features Strawberry Jam, the traditional kick-off party for
all students. Sponsored by Olive Garden, the event will take place in Strawberry Stadium
at 6:30 p.m. Students are invited to parade with Southeastern student-athletes, cheerleaders,
Lionettes, and Spirit of the Southland Band for this 2019-20 athletic season kick-off
celebration.
On the first day of class, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 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 7:30 to 11 a.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 an
Information Fair in the Student Union Quad, where departments and organizations will
be on hand to answer questions about getting involved.
Also on Wednesday, Campus Activities Board’s Roller Rave is scheduled from 4
to 7 p.m. at the Student Union Ballroom, where students can enjoy a throwback roller
glow rave.
Thursday, Aug. 22, will again feature the Just Ask Me tents and Blue and You:
Cool Off with Cops from 7:30 to 11 a.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 CAB’s 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. 23, 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.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, students can support the Lions Women’s Soccer team as they
play against the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at 5 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.
For more information on Welcome Week activities or events, go to www.southeastern.edu/welcomeweek or contact the Office of Student Engagement at 985-549-2120.