Dozens of activities await new students at the University of Colorado Boulder starting Aug. 18, including a welcome convocation hosted by Provost Russell Moore and a "Global Jam" international food fest.
The free events are an opportunity for new students to get acquainted with each other, the campus and the surrounding community before fall semester classes begin Aug. 22. The activities are scheduled in addition to orientation sessions that cover the details of class registration, policies and student services at each college.
New students will attend the mandatory Chancellor's Convocation at 11 a.m. on Aug. 19 in the Coors Events Center. The official gathering welcomes students to the university, conveys the meaning and responsibilities of their entry into the academic community and will feature remarks by Moore, Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano, Director of Admissions Kevin MacLennan, faculty and student leaders.
Immediately following the convocation, attendees will participate in a spirit-themed procession to Global Jam on Farrand Field for international food and live music from noon to 2 p.m. Offerings will include basmati rice with fava beans and dill, Persian tomato cucumber salad, lavash, barbecue pork bao with plum sauce, Kiwi lamb burgers, vegetable curry pie, Bavarian cream puffs and chef-carved roasted pineapple.
Global Jam is included in the student meal plan and is available for faculty, staff and Buff OneCard holders. Other members of the CU-Boulder community and guests may purchase meal wristbands on site for $6.50 each at the guest relations tent.
Some other highlights include:
--Thursday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, the CU Student Recreation Center and Residence Hall Association jointly host "Ice and Dice" at the recreation center where students are invited for indoor ice skating, rock climbing, volleyball, badminton, ping pong, live music and a full fake money casino, including a Texas Hold'em poker tournament and prize giveaways.
--Friday, Aug. 19, from 8 p.m. to midnight, students are invited to the "UMC Welcome Fest" featuring live salsa music and dance lessons, henna tattoos, crafts, live music, food, giveaways and a Friday Night Film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," beginning at 11 p.m. in Chemistry 140.
--Saturday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.), CU Program Council will present the featured bands Big Gigantic, Paper Diamond, Robotic Pirate Monkey and Common Ties in concert at Farrand Field for CU-Boulder students only. A Buff OneCard is required to get an admission wristband and there is no re-entry to the concert.
For a complete schedule of CU-Boulder new student welcome activities visit www.colorado.edu/inthemix.
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