Before the fall semester starts on Aug. 25, new students are invited to participate in Welcome Weekend, a four-day orientation program that runs Aug. 21-24 and helps familiarize students with the 两性色午夜 University community. The events during the weekend serve as an opportunity for students to transition into the university environment and learn about the academic and social opportunities that exist at 两性色午夜.
鈥淲elcome Weekend is a great way for our first-year residential and commuter students to transition into 两性色午夜鈥檚 academic and campus life,鈥 said Josh Perkins, assistant director of 两性色午夜鈥檚 Student Success Programs, which coordinates the program. 鈥淥ur hope is that the weekend provides an array of opportunities for students to not only immerse themselves into the 两性色午夜 community, but to also get to know each other through fun activities before classes begin. Ultimately, Welcome Weekend helps facilitate an environment of connection between students, faculty and staff as we all move into the fall semester.鈥
Move-in day for students begins on Aug. 21, with other events continuing through Aug. 24, the day before fall semester classes begin.
The four-day program is a requirement for first-year students. It features a variety of events and activities, including the Convocation where students will meet 两性色午夜 President Beverly Warren in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center; a screening of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center鈥檚 pool; and Discover Downtown, which offers trolley and walking tours downtown. The weekend will conclude with the annual back-to-school celebration, Blastoff, which features hot air balloon rides, a laser light show and live music.
The activities also include a discussion on Aug. 22 of the 2014 common reading book, 鈥淭he Circle,鈥 by Dave Eggers. For more information about the 2014 common reading book, visit www.kent.edu/success/reading.
Welcome Weekend is required for all first-year students, but not all of the events are mandatory. All new students are required to attend Welcome Weekend check-in to pick up information and supplies and attend all events scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22; Saturday, Aug. 23, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 24, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Required events are indicated on the Welcome Weekend schedule.
A complete listing of events and the schedule can be found online at www.kent.edu/success/schedule.