Welcome week; Music, Movies, Munchies
author: alexa lawlor | staff writer
a daunting day for freshman – photo credit ella mikola and imdb
One more excuse to get drunk on campus
“YES, NEW SEMESTER!” said no one, ever. Of course, unless it’s your last semester… then I’m jealous. Despite that, as we mourn the summer and our freedom, there is at least one thing to look forward to this semester (and no, it’s not the end of it). It’s the first week, also known as Welcome Week!
Why, you say? Well, because the first week of classes is essentially going over syllabi and crying in the bookstore over how much money one single textbook is, which means there is no excuse to not go out to the events full of excitement and fun taking place! Most of the events will be taking place on the Green, although a few will be in The Owl, and a club fair will be kicking off the week in the Research and Innovation Centre Atrium.
“Welcome Week has something for everyone”, says URSU’s Welcome Week Coordinator, Erin McLellan. However, a few of the events, like the beer gardens, will be 19+.
Welcome Week will begin on Wednesday, right along with the start of classes. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the RIC Atrium will be showcasing some of the great clubs that the University of Regina has to offer, while most of the student societies will be on the Green with games and prizes from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Also on the Green will be the beer gardens from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and a live DJ from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Haven’t seen the new Jungle Book movie yet, or want to see it again? No problem! Bring your friends, blankets, and chairs for an outdoor movie night starting at 8 p.m.! Or, if movies and the outdoors aren’t of interest to you, there will be a trivia night starting at 8 p.m. in The Owl, with free cover, open to everyone 19+!
The excitement continues on Thursday with a local market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Green. Be sure to check out the various different companies that will be there showcasing their services and products. Additionally, there will be activities happening at the same time, also on the Green.
To further peak your interest, if you’re not convinced yet, there will be a variety of food trucks from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., beer gardens from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a live DJ from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., all taking place on the Green.
In the Research and Innovation Centre Atrium, the Hill Business Students’ Society will be hosting a casino night, where you can dress up in your fanciest clothes and play casino games. There will be a Casino Royale after party to follow, held in The Owl. Of course, not to forget the sports fans, a Rams tailgate party will be held in The Owl at 5 p.m. A ticket that you can receive from a Social Committee member will get you a free burger, pop, and chips. Afterwards, head to Mosaic Stadium to cheer on the Rams!
Last but not least, Friday, the final day, will kick off on the Green, with the beer gardens from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and games from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then, starting at 4 p.m., there will be various food trucks in conjunction with the music festival, running until 11 p.m. The URSU Mini Music Fest will feature Bears in Hazenmore, Andino Suns, a top secret band that will not be announced until Sept. 6, and headliner Vanic. The festival will be open to all ages, and a 19+ after party will be held afterwards in The Owl.
Need more persuasion to come out and be part of the fun? McLellan states that “Welcome Week is one of the most important weeks for students new and returning,” because it’s an opportunity to “meet new friends and reconnect with old.”
Not only are the events and activities fun and full of excitement, but Welcome Week is also intended to help ease the pain of having to be back in school, as well as to help get back into the routine. It’s also a great idea to get involved within the University, and what better time to do that than when many of the school groups and clubs will be out promoting their programs and recruiting new people?
