A Big Wisconsin Welcome Awaits New Students

The university will welcome its approximately 5,800 new students with a wide array of get-acquainted activities during the 10th annual Wisconsin Welcome, which began Sunday, Aug. 24, and continues through Sept. 25.

Jennifer Singer, acting director of Student Orientation Programs, said four student interns have had a major role in planning and implementing many of this year’s events.

“With the students doing more of the planning, Wisconsin Welcome activities should be even more attractive to our newcomers,” said Singer.

An additional late-night party has been added to the schedule this year, bringing the number to two. The “Up All Night” party at the Southeast Recreation Facility (SERF) and the Natatorium will run from 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, to 2 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31. It will feature sports, games, dancing, food and door prizes.

New this year is the Memorial Union Bash, being billed as the biggest party of the year. It will be held from 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, to 2 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1. The festivities include music on the Terrace, ballroom dancing in Great Hall, a movie in the Play Circle, and other events.

“Both of these events have been created not only to help students get acquainted, but to give them alternatives to late-night drinking parties and help them become familiar with the resources at the recreational sports facilities and Memorial Union,” said Singer.

Other major Wisconsin Welcome events include:

• the Fifth Quarter pep rally and Badger tailgate party on Sunday, Aug. 31, 5-7 p.m. in Camp Randall Stadium. The Wisconsin Marching Band, cheerleaders and Bucky Badger will help the new students learn the traditional Wisconsin cheers, songs and dances before they attend their first major Badger sporting event;
• the Chancellor’s convocation and ice cream social on Monday, Sept. 1, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Field House, the final event before classes begin. Students will hear from Chancellor David Ward and Dean of Students Mary Rouse;
• the Multicultural Orientation Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater and Tripp Commons. Students of color will have a chance to become acquainted with returning students, faculty, staff and members of selected student organizations. There will be music and dance productions representing various cultures.
• the UW Day of Caring on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 4 p.m., will offer students, faculty and staff an opportunity to do volunteer work for more than 20 nonprofit agencies in the Madison area. Those wishing to participate should contact the Morgridge Center For Public Service at (608) 263-2432.

There are also numerous tours, receptions, open houses, workshops and other more localized events being held as part of Wisconsin Welcome. There are gatherings geared to students who commute to campus and workshops on such topics as using the Internet, how to handle money wisely, conflict resolution and study skills.

Students who are first-generation college students, low-income students or students with disabilities can learn “Strategies for Success” at special workshops being held each day during the week of Aug. 25.

Faculty and staff will be taking small groups of students from the university’s newest learning community, the Chadbourne Residential College, to their favorite places on campus on Thursday, Aug. 28, where they will share a picnic supper and discuss a reading on the values of community and education and talk about the transition to college.

The Chadbourne Residential College will hold its own convocation in the Memorial Union Theater on Friday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m., which will be followed by a dinner.

The scope of Wisconsin Welcome has grown considerably since it began in 1988, when then-Chancellor Donna Shalala coined it Welcome Week and hosted a big get-acquainted rally in Camp Randall Stadium.