ASUSU welcomes freshmen with fair-themed week
This year’s Week of Welcome combines new and traditional elements to celebrate the first week of the fall semester.
The week-long celebration will mark the first time many students step onto the artificial turf at the new Legacy Fields. Chaise Warr, ASUSU programming vice president, said the grand opening of Legacy Fields will coincide with the ’80s dance at 9 p.m. Friday.
The dance, hosted by DJ Marcus Wing, is one of the most anticipated events of the year, said Hannah Blackburn, activities director for the Student Traditions and Activities Board (STAB).
“Whenever students have the opportunity to dress up, they just go all out and have so much fun,” Blackburn said.
Warr said this year’s festivities expand on many of last year’s precedents.
“We’ve upped everything this year,” Warr said. “We’ve upped the food, the publicity and the prizes.”
Week of Welcome began with a bluegrass band concert in the TSC Plaza on Monday. The concert featured bluegrass performers Cross Strung, Craig Miner and Forever Blue.
“Looking back on previous concerts at USU, we found we haven’t had a bluegrass-genre band for almost the past decade,” Blackburn said. “It’s always been pop music.”
Blackburn said bluegrass fits well with the fair theme the board has chosen for this year’s activities.
While new activities are being incorporated into the celebration, some favorites like Day on the Quad and the weekend dance will remain tradition.
“Students from previous years look forward to those same events,” said Abigail Kingsford, ASUSU public relations director.
Judging by the participation level last year, Warr said, close to 3,000 students are expected to attend the movie night Tuesday. “The Avengers” will be shown on a big screen on Old Main Hill at 9 p.m.
Booths from campus organizations and local businesses will be presented from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Day on the Quad. Students will have the opportunity to join clubs, enjoy live music and get free food from local vendors, Warr said.
Students can play for prizes Wednesday during high stakes bingo at 7 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom.
“We have some pretty great prizes this year,” Kingsford said. She said prizes include a GoPro camera, an iPad, a Kindle Fire and a $300 gift card to the City Creek Mall.
She said the board planned the week’s activities while striving to remain financially responsible.
“We’ve tried to make sure we’re using funds in an efficient way,” Blackburn said.
With the football game against Southern Utah University on Thursday, Kingsford said the Week of Welcome planning committee decided to “focus on the football team” by collaborating with the HURD for tailgate celebrations before the game. The afterparty will be held at the new Blue Square apartments across from Romney Stadium, she said.
Students have high expectations for the week, and members of STAB planned a variety of events to meet every student’s need, Blackburn said.
Kingsford said Week of Welcome is a great opportunity for everyone coming back to see their friends and gives returning students as well as freshman a chance to meet new people.
“When you’re a freshman, you want to make college a good experience,” Kingsford said. “Week of Welcome is one of my favorite traditions.”
-tmera.bradley@aggiemail.usu.edu