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Wisconsin Welcome planned for new, returning students

August 23, 1999

More than 5,600 freshmen and 1,100 transfer students are expected to join about 30,000 returning students during the next few weeks, and dozens of events are planned to help make the new students feel welcome.

See:
Wisconsin Welcome
web site
(includes complete schedules)

Wisconsin Welcome 1999 features different events each day – such as open houses, skills workshops, faculty lectures and fun residence hall programs — starting Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Arctic explorer Alvah Simon will be the keynote speaker at the Chancellor’s Convocation Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 2 p.m. in the Kohl Center. Simon, author of “North to the Night: A Year in the Arctic Ice,” will talk about his experiences surviving five months of isolation on his 36-foot sailboat high above the Arctic Circle. After his talk, free Babcock Hall ice cream will be served to commemorate his icy trip.

Some of the other highlights of Wisconsin Welcome 1999 include:

  • Fifth Quarter Pep Rally and Badger Tailgate, 4:30-7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 29, in Camp Randall Stadium. The UW Marching Band, cheerleaders, dance squad and Bucky Badger will teach traditional Wisconsin cheers and fight songs to the newest Badgers, to be followed by a tailgate party.
  • Free Midnight Movies to close out the new students’ first weekend on campus starting at 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Memorial Union.
  • ComedySportz, a local improvisational group, to perform humorous skits about college life and survival tips at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, in the Wisconsin Union Theater.
  • The Morgridge Center Open House, 716 Langdon St., 1-4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 31. Students may sign up for community service opportunities with local, regional, national and international service organizations.
  • Rec Sports “Up At Night” Party, starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, which invites students to the Natatorium and SERF (Southeast Recreational Facility) for some late-night hours of sports, games, dancing, food, movies and prizes.
  • “Getting the Most Out of Your Freshman Year,” a program sponsored by the Cross-College Advising Service, featuring survival skills for avoiding freshman pitfalls. It will run from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, in B10 Ingraham Hall, located on Observatory Drive.
  • UW-Madison Society of Poets Fall Picnic combining food and poetry at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, near the fountain on Library Mall.
  • Labor Day Bash, 12-3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 6, next to Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue. One of Madison’s best local bands will entertain students who may grill out while enjoying the music.
  • Global Connections, an all-campus social event with dance performances and instruction for all students, faculty and staff interested in meeting students from around the world, exchanging travel experiences and making new friends. From 8-11 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, Global Connections will be held in the Great Hall, fourth floor, of Memorial Union.

Tours of 10 UW–Madison libraries will be available starting Thursday, Aug. 26. Students may begin moving into residence halls on Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28. Special events are scheduled for commuter students and older adult students. And many campus religious organizations also are planning receptions for new students.