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News Release

Last modified: Monday, August 25, 2008

Welcome Week designed to help new students connect with IU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University welcomes its incoming freshmen and returning students to campus with "Proud Traditions: Welcome Week 2008," coordinated by the IU Office of Orientation Programs. Welcome Week is designed to connect students with the people, places and resources of Indiana University.

"Welcome Week is planned with the assumption that, when students feel more comfortable and connected with their surroundings, they can focus more easily, they know where to go for assistance, and they feel more at home. As such, they are more likely to succeed," said Melanie Payne, who coordinates the week's activities.

Welcome Week features many events, some of which have become true IU traditions themselves, including:

• Freshman Induction ceremonies on Wednesday (Aug. 27) in the IU Auditorium at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The kickoff highlight of Welcome Week, President Michael McRobbie and Bloomington Provost Karen Hanson preside over ceremonies that officially welcome new students into the academic world of IU.
• CultureFest 2008 -- a Welcome Week highlight now in its ninth year -- has become a student favorite that celebrates the cultural diversity on campus. The event, scheduled for Thursday (Aug. 28), introduces new students to IU's unique campus culture through speakers, music, food and activities. Various IU culture centers and support centers also participate in CultureFest to remind students of the many social and academic services on campus. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. in the IU Auditorium before moving outside at 5:15 p.m.
• "Traditions and Spirit of IU" takes place on Friday (Aug. 29) at 4:30 p.m. in Assembly Hall. This spirited event includes everything from teaching incoming students the fight song and cheers of IU athletics, to introducing Hoosier coaches and providing lots of other fun surprises. The public also is invited to attend this high energy event.

Other Welcome Week highlights include academic orientation events planned by each of the schools and the College of Arts and Sciences; "RecFest", which introduces students to services and club sports available through IU's Division of Recreational Sports; and "Taste of the Union", an event giving students a chance to explore the Indiana Memorial Union while enjoying music, food and activities.

Welcome Week also offers a focus on IU resources and opportunities for involvement and service in the Bloomington community through open houses, New Student Service Day, the IU Student Involvement Fair, residence center events and more.

On the first two days of classes, IU administrators, faculty, students and alumni volunteers will be stationed in high-traffic areas of campus to provide new students with campus maps and directions -- or simply a smile and a friendly greeting -- as they make their way to their new classes.

Information, including dates, times and locations, about these and other Welcome Week events can be found by following the Welcome Week links at http://orientation.indiana.edu.

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