A wide variety of UNCWelcome 2008 activities will kick off the University of North Carolina Wilmington fall semester Aug. 1- Sept. 9. When classes begin on Aug. 20, freshman enrollment is expected to be nearly 2,100 students, up from around 1,900 in 2007. Final enrollment numbers will be available after classes begin. In addition, this year UNCW has had unprecedented demand for on-campus student housing, with nearly 400 more first-year freshmen contracting for on-campus housing than there are permanent bed spaces in the residence halls. In order to meet the housing demand and to keep all first-year freshmen with guaranteed housing on campus, rooms in Belk, Graham and Hewlett Residence Halls and select University Suites have been converted from double-occupancy to triple-occupancy.
UNCWelcome 2008 social opportunities and informational events coordinated by the Office of Campus Activities and Involvement (CAIC) will help acquaint this record number of new and returning students with the community and prepare them for a successful academic year. Many events are designed specifically to assist commuter, non-traditional and transfer students with their educational transition. Several "family friendly" activities welcome spouses and children.
Visual opps (unless specified, below events are open only to media and the UNCW community):
Saturday, Aug. 16
Annual Move-in celebration, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Around 1,500 volunteers will help students move into residence halls and welcome them to campus as part of this longstanding UNCWelcome tradition.
Welcome Program and Hilarious Hypnotist Steve Taubman, 8 p.m. in Trask Coliseum
More than 1,000 will participate in this "welcome back" festivity, culminating with an annual show featuring comedic hypnotist Steve Taubman.
Monday, Aug. 18
Convocation/official welcome of the Class of 2012, 10 a.m.- noon
All-campus picnic, noon
Mass student trek from the Clock Tower to a formal academic ceremony in Trask Coliseum, followed by an all-campus picnic celebration on the lawn near Hoggard and Alderman halls.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Beach Blast, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beach Sweep, 4 to 6 p.m.
Safe and sober fun for students in the sun at Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach will be followed by a student clean-up of the beach. Students will enjoy free music and food, volleyball and other activities at this alcohol-free event. A UNCW student ID will be required to board free shuttles and receive a wristband needed to participate in Beach Blast activities. UNCW students' coolers will be checked for alcohol before entering Beach Blast. The general public will be granted access to the event, but will not receive wristbands and cannot obtain free vendor refreshments. Around 45 UNCW staff, student leaders and local police will assist with the management of the event. Wednesday, Aug. 20
Fireworks Extravaganza, 7 p.m. in Gazebo Recreation Area
Community residents surrounding the UNCW main campus need to be aware that they may hear controlled fireworks and music from this closed event. Fireworks to be initiated at 9 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Seahawk Neighborhood Walk, 4- 6 p.m. to begin at Seahawk Perch- Fisher Student Center
UNCW community will hand out welcome bags to the residents in the neighborhoods near the main campus.
Wednesday, Aug 27
Involvement Carnival, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Campus Commons
Student involvement opportunities in the UNCW and Wilmington communities are highlighted at this widely-attended event covering the heart of campus.
For a complete list of activities -www.uncw.edu/stuaff/activities/documents/7.2.08UNCWelcomeFINAL.pdf
Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.962.3616 or davisjc@uncw.edu
