Southeast Gears up for Opening Week Activities

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Aug. 1, 2006 – Southeast Missouri State University will welcome its new students to campus with a full slate of activities beginning Aug. 17 that will culminate with the start of fall semester classes on Aug. 21.

“Southeast is gearing up to welcome our new students, as well as our returning students, back to campus,” said Theresa Haug Belvin, assistant director of New Student Programs. “We have several exciting and beneficial activities planned, and we are pleased to be welcoming a new group of students to the Southeast community.”

On Aug. 17, first year students wanting to get a head-start on settling in to their new campus abode can do so at the early-bird move-in from 6 to 8 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center. A parents’ fraternity and sorority informational meeting will be held at 3 p.m. at Towers Café, and refreshments will be served.

Later that evening, a commuter student social is planned for 6 p.m. at the University Center Missouriana Room. At 7:30 p.m., motivational speaker Andy Masters will present “Balancing Student Life and Academics” in Academic Auditorium.

On Aug. 18, faculty and staff will officially welcome the newest members of the University community with a Welcome Convocation at the Show Me Center. The convocation, which provides students with a general University orientation and information about Opening Week activities, begins at 9:30 a.m.

Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, and Adam Hanna, student government president, will welcome new students to Southeast.

Students will take the California Critical Thinking Skills Test from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at various campus locations. Following the test, students will attend Southeast 101 sessions. Southeast 101 allows new students to ask questions of faculty and current students about academics and campus life. Southeast 101 gives students a glimpse of what Southeast life is like through discussions that focus on academic expectations in the college classroom, basic tips for succeeding and how to access resources at the University. Lunch will be served during the meeting.

College meetings and workshops are scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m., giving students the opportunity to hear from the dean of their college and interact with faculty from their departments.

The annual “Great Ice Cream Pig Out” is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. This all-you-can-eat Southeast tradition features ice cream served by Southeast students and administrators. Entertainment will be provided at 8:05 p.m. by hypnotist Craig Karges.

On Aug. 19, activities begin with a First STEP enrollment program for first-year students who have not yet attended the orientation. The program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center.

Also on Aug. 19, a variety of recreational activities are scheduled throughout the day. Recreation Services will hold a sand volleyball tournament, wiffleball home run derby, washers and baggo tournaments, and a hotshot competition. PlayStation 2 games will be available in the Student Recreation Center lounge for students interested in video games.

Later that evening, a Minority Student Forum is planned at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge. An outdoor move, “American Pie,” will be shown on Academic Terraces at 9 p.m.

The annual Chamber of Commerce Welcome Back Picnic will be held Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. in Capaha Park. Sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee in partnership with Chartwells Educational Dining Services, the annual picnic offers food, fun and lots of activities for students, faculty and staff.

A sorority and fraternity informational meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.

Classes for the fall 2006 semester will begin at 8 a.m. on Aug. 21. That evening, from 5-8 p.m., the University Center will host “Take me out to the University Center,” an evening of food, games, prizes, music and baseball-inspired fun for students, faculty and staff.

Students can wrap up their second day of classes on Aug. 22 with bestselling author, speaker and syndicated advice columnist Harlan Cohen’s presentation “The Naked Roommate,”  in Academic Auditorium at 7 p.m.

For more information on Opening Week activities, contact New Student Programs at (573) 651-5166 or go to http://www.semo.edu/openingweek.