Pump primed to welcome university students

Southeast Missouri State University's move-in week officially kicks off Thursday with a multitude of festivities to welcome students. Classes start Monday.

"It's exciting; it's a lot, but it's always exciting," said Katie Krodinger, assistant director of admissions for new student programs.

As it has the past several years, the university is featuring "Engage in 8," an effort to get more students involved and connected on campus, through Oct. 18.

Krodinger said move-in fun culminates with the first football game Aug. 28, when the Redhawks face the Missouri Baptist Spartans.

A free app is available on students' smartphones from Google Play, or the App Store. The schedule for opening week is at semo.edu/nsp/openingweek and students can view the "Engage in 8" activities from that page.

Early Bird Move-In starts at 6 a.m. Thursday at the Student Recreation Center-North. Regularly scheduled first-year check-in is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the same location. The move-in bash, featuring Six Appeal, is from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Parker Field. In case of bad weather, it will be in the Student Recreation Center-North. A virtual graffiti wall, bungee bounce and snow cones will be available.

Director of Residence Life Kendra Skinner said opening occupancy for Southeast's entire residential system will be strong this fall.

"We're actually up over 100 housing contracts from this time last year, and we expect to welcome approximately 3,200 students into our residence halls next week," Skinner said in an email. "We have a lot of interest in all of our residence halls due to cost, amenities, location, etc. I believe our staff has done a great job this year working with students to get them assigned into their requested buildings."

Friday's events start at 7:45 a.m. at the University Center for students who have not yet attended First STEP orientation, which will include the writing placement test, orientation, advising and lunch.

An event dubbed Commute and Connect! is set for 9 a.m. Friday at the Student Recreation Center-North.

A group will leave the recreation center at 9:40 a.m. and head for the Show Me Center for the welcome convocation, set for 10 a.m. Along with athletes, cheerleaders and Sundancers, students will be greeted by Southeast president Kenneth W. Dobbins and Student Government Association president Caleb Cockrill.

First-year students are asked to wear the T-shirt they received during residence hall check-in or at Commute and Connect!

Following the convocation, students will leave the Show Me Center in small groups to participate in Southeast 101 at 11 a.m., where they will receive an information packet that a faculty or staff member and student leader will walk through with them, Krodinger said.

College meetings are planned for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at various campus locations. Students will have a chance to hear the dean of their college speak and meet with faculty members from their departments. Shuttles will take students back to the Show Me Center parking lot at the end of the meetings.

The annual Ice Cream Pig Out is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Student Recreation Center-North. Chad Taylor, an extreme juggler, will perform at 8 p.m., also at Student Recreation Center-North. A free concert and beverages are planned for 9 p.m. at Parker Field.

Midnight Slip-N-Slide is from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Ignite House, 415 N. Pacific St.

A workshop on eating healthy and avoiding the "freshman 15" is set for 11 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday in Towers Cafe.

Activities continue throughout the afternoon and include a welcome picnic for freshman education majors, a Pinterest Party, SEMO bingo, Cooking 101 and another Honors Open House.

A Student Involvement Fair is planned for 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the University Center, a game of Capture the Flag at 8 p.m. at the Kala M. Stroup Fountain on the Kent Library lawn, and a movie is scheduled for 9 p.m. in the Academic Hall auditorium.

The Welcome Back: First Night Party is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Student Recreation Center and is open to new and returning students.

"It's a little bit of everything that day, so it's kind of choose your own adventure," Krodinger said.

The welcome back picnic is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Show Me Center.

To help students make their way Monday, welcome tents will be placed around campus from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in four locations -- one near Kent Library between the library and Academic Hall; another near Parker Field; one near the art building; and one between Carnahan and Brandt halls.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

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