coordinator of student activities at the Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.8523
“Lopers Go Hollywood,” the theme of Blue & Gold Day, kicks-off Blue & Gold Welcome Week, a series of activities for students that ease the transition from summer to the new academic term at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Friday, Aug. 18.
Blue & Gold Day begins when residence halls open at 8 a.m. Friday for UNK students to move into their campus housing. To assist new students and their families during move-in day, the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce along with the University Relations Committee is extending an invitation to Kearney-area residents to help new UNK students with their move. A “CHAMBER VOLUNTEER” t-shirt will be provided to those who volunteer, and volunteers from last year have been asked to wear the t-shirts provided during the previous move-in.
“The fact that the community members are willing to help students move in says a lot about the relationship between the university and the Kearney community,” said Dusty Newton, UNK director of Admissions and chair of the Chamber University Relations Committee. For more information on how to be involved with the move-in, individuals may contact the Chamber of Commerce at 237-4671 or e-mail acope@kearneycoc.org.
After getting moved in and having lunch in the Commons of the Nebraskan Student Union between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., students can walk to the Bell Tower to experience the Blue & Gold Welcome Showcase.
The showcase will feature more than 180 student organizations and businesses, with some providing free prizes and coupons ranging from food to t-shirts. The band “Scratch Trick” will perform at the showcase courtesy of the Loper Programming and Activities Council.
While the students are exploring college life and getting to know Kearney and the UNK campus at the showcase, parents are invited to attend sessions to better equip them for the coming semester. The first session, which will be held in the Cedar Room of the Nebraskan Student Union at 2 p.m., is “First Time College Parents 101.” This session provides parents with advice and information on how to help students during their transition to college life.
The next session is “Parents: Expect the Best, Plan for the Worst.” This presentation, also held in the Cedar Room, begins at 3 p.m. Parents get tips on emergency planning, purchasing class materials and UNK crisis planning.
Throughout the move-in day, parents can take a break at “The Parent Zone” in the Nebraskan Student Union Fireplace Lounge. Parents are welcome to relax and ask UNK staff questions about the university.
Beginning at 5 p.m., students, parents, business showcase participantsand UNK faculty and staff will gather for the Chancellor’s Picnic, which will take place at the Cope Memorial Fountain.
After the picnic, the “Bling Bling Fling” will begin at the Nebraskan Student Union Courtyard. Music will be provided by a DJ, and activities, prizes and refreshments will be featured at this event from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday is host to a variety of orientation activities for first-year students. The programs that take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. are described as “Part 2” of UNK orientation, with the first section held previously at Summer Advising and Enrollment.
Fall orientation events range from meeting the dean and faculty of the colleges within the university, to health and time management presentations, to summaries of UNK campus computing systems such as BlackBoard and WebEASI. At the orientation finale, students who attended every session will be eligible to win prizes, including an iPod Mini, Antelope Bookstore Bucks and gift cards to local businesses.
After the finale, campus buildings will be opened from 4 to 6 p.m. for new students to explore the classrooms, and find their Monday and Tuesday class sites.
Rounding out Saturday activities is an outdoor movie to be held at the courtyard of Randall, Stout and Mantor Halls. Mission Impossible III is the film slated for showing, and free popcorn will be available during the movie.
Sunday night is host to Sunday Night Live! This event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Cope Memorial Fountain. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen will be present at this complementary dinner offered to UNK students.
A Texas Hold ’em Poker Walk is set for Tuesday. The starting point for the poker walk is at Cope Memorial Fountain, and play begins at 6 p.m. The premise of the game is participants walk the course and pick up cards at stations along the route. After meeting with faculty and staff at the stop points, participants return to the fountain with their cards to add to the flop. The highest hands will receives prizes, as will the lowest hand.
“LoperFest” is the main event for Wednesday night. The event, hosted by UNK athletics, will be held at Cope Stadium from 8 to 10 p.m., and will feature free food, music and prizes.
Blue & Gold Welcome Week is also the kick-off to the Loper Volleyball season. The returning NCAA Division II runner-up Lopers will compete against the Iowa Wesleyan at the Health & Sports Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, “Destination Downtown!” invites students to explore downtown Kearney, while live music, caricature artists, student discounts, prizes and street performers will be present to provide entertainment. Trolleys will run from the Nebraskan Student Union and University Residence South to downtown Kearney all evening.
The final two days of Blue & Gold Welcome Week, Friday and Saturday, will feature the 2006 Fall Classic Volleyball Tournament in the Health and Sports Center. Play begins each day at 10 a.m. and concludes at 9 p.m.
