Wisconsin Welcome expands, enhances focus

Wisconsin Welcome, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s start-of-semester orientation program, is refining its focus and expanding deeper into the academic year than ever before.

Instead of a range of events compressed into the first week or two that students are on campus, the program will use three two-week blocks focusing on the themes of social opportunities, personal and community health, and academic skills and support, says Kathy Kruse, Wisconsin Welcome director.

“Every year, thousands of new students come to UW–Madison full of emotions, including excitement and nervousness, as well as many questions,” says Kruse. “Instead of overwhelming them with choices, we’re spreading things out and hoping that our new approach will better ease them into the academic year.”

From Friday, Sept. 1-Thursday, Sept. 7, Wisconsin Welcome will expose new students to the many opportunities and services available at UW–Madison and help them meet new friends. The next two weeks will cover personal health issues.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 25, events will focus on academic support and achievement, such as opportunities to participate in tutoring fairs, library tours, career exploration, study skills workshops and specific course tutoring.

The academic component will also tie in with the goals of the Freshman Year Experience, designed by the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs to better link student life to academics.

Among this year’s Wisconsin Welcome events:

• From MySpace to OUR Space: Creating Your Badger Community: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, in the Mosse Humanities Building. The event is designed to highlight student experiences from different walks of life and making connections across those differences.
• Insider’s Guide to Success in the Classroom: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, in 19 Ingraham Hall. College-level studies are significantly different than high school. Attending this insider’s guide, hosted by English department professors Lynn Keller and Birgit Rasmussen, will give an informative and important introduction to reading and note-taking.
• Badger football practice, with an introduction to the Fifth Quarter and tailgate: 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, to be held inside Camp Randall Stadium. New students will have a chance to watch a football practice and learn traditions from the Wisconsin marching band, spirit squad and Bucky Badger. Coach Bret Bielema will speak to students about the importance of creating a positive environment around UW–Madison athletics events.
• Put the Stress on Relaxation: 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in the On Wisconsin Room of the Red Gym. In the workshop, simple but powerful strategies to unwind, sleep well and improve concentration will be taught.
• New Student Community Splash: Saturday, Sept. 23. Students looking to get involved in service learning and the Madison community will participate in UW–Madison’s second annual new student day of service. Registration will be required for this event, as spots are limited.
• Blogs and Writing: Finding Your Voice and Audience in an Online Journal: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. This two-part course will begin with a look at the visual and textual styles of successful blogs, with an optional half-hour for creating a blog. The second meeting will discuss student blogs and explore advanced blog design and writing techniques.