The University of Mississippi starts the fall semester with lots of events to help students get plugged in to campus life. Coordinated by the Ole Miss Student Union and Student Activities Association, the expanded schedule (from a week to a month) features nearly 100 events and activities, ranging from movies in the Grove to fitness events.
“We’re super pumped,” said Rosa Salas, executive director of the Student Activities Association. “It’s a good way to get to know people. It’s always super fun. We have new things this year, so I’m excited.”
Events include a student kick-off picnic, bungee jump, get involved fair, silent disco, welcome back concert, double-decker bingo tour, campus recreation hiring fair, laser tag, passport to diversity, free challenge course, game night, African-American male networking luncheon, wellness day, Pride Camp, fraternal leadership discussion, Greek forum, women’s soccer and volleyball games, a barbecue, water polo, paddleboard yoga class and snow cone giveaways.
Salas said she was an international student who knew one person when she started at Ole Miss and that going to the welcome events was a good way to get to know people.
“I remember I went to ‘Pitch Perfect’ that Sunday of Welcome Week. That’s where I met people. It’s also a good way to get to know people who may be a good resource for you in the future.”
“I think that Welcome Week and all other events that are hosted during the school year are so beneficial to first years because it provides them with an opportunity that encourages community, which is incredibly important when establishing themselves on campus,” added Meredith Sobus, president of the Residential Housing Association, the governing body and voice of residents living on campus in student housing.
Other organizations on campus that partner with the Student Union and SAA to offer welcome events include the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Center for Student Success and First Year Experience, Associated Student Body, Campus Recreation, Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Fraternal Leadership and Learning, National Panhellenic Council and Office of Leadership and Advocacy.
“I can remember back to my freshman year the thing that made me really feel at home at Ole Miss,” said Elam Miller, ASB president. “Just having the events for two weeks straight from SAA to ASB every year just really not only highlights those two organizations, but it’s highlighting all the organizations on campus and just really the community.”
For more details and a full list of fall 2018 welcome events, click here.
Kendall Patterson is a senior journalism major and an intern in University Communications. Edwin Smith is a communications specialist for University Communications.