By By: BEKKA OXLEY
Staff Writer
@bekka_oxley
Summer has reached its end and school is back in session. Whether you are ready to kiss summer goodbye or not, the transition from summertime fun to serious coursework can be challenging. That’s why students at IU South Bend like to have a little fun during the first week of school, otherwise known as Welcome Week.
To kick off Welcome Week this year, student clubs and organizations will have tables set up between Greenlawn Hall and the Student Activities Center (SAC) for the Welcome Back Fair. On Monday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., new and returning students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from most campus clubs and organizations and sign up if they are interested.
“There are tons of student clubs and organizations that people don’t know about, so the Welcome Back Fair is a way for those clubs and organizations to get the word out and try to recruit new members,” said Shannon Porowski, a member of the Welcome Week Committee.
To continue the excitement on Tuesday, Titan Productions, a student group that plans events and hosts entertainment, are presenting a comedy group called Mission IMPROVable. Students are invited to the University Grill at 8:30 p.m. to kick back and enjoy a few laughs with the agents of the comedy team.
The Titan Splash fun run and walk is returning this year to the Community Building at campus housing. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, students can sign up for Titan Splash at 5 p.m. and the run begins at 5:30 p.m. The mile-long course will take students through several color stations where they will be splashed with different colored paint.
Also on Wednesday at 6 p.m., the Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting a tailgate for all students on the intermural fields at campus housing. Be sure to pick up some free food, meet new people, and stick around for the games on the field after dinner.
To finish off Welcome Week, Titan Productions is putting on the Afterglow Dance in the Northside Hall courtyard. On Thursday, Aug. 28 beginning at 9:30 p.m., students are welcome to break out their dance moves at the glow-in-the-dark dance and are encouraged to wear clothes that will stand out under a black light.
“The first week of classes and getting back into the swing of things is always hard after summer, so Welcome Week has many fun events to get you excited for the school year, make the transition back to school a little easier, meet new people, and show students that even though you go to school to learn, you also can meet new people and have lots of fun along the way,” Porowski said.
- Monday, Aug. 25: Welcome Back Fair, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 26: Welcome Back Fair, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Mission IMROVable, 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 27: Titan Splash color run/walk, 5 p.m.; SGA Tailgate, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 28: Afterglow Dance, 9:30 p.m.
