"This year's opening week will give the students a really great way to enter into the campus community," said Theresa Haug, coordinator of Orientation and First-Year Programs. "Opening Week introduces students to so many academic and social opportunities in which they can get involved. We are excited and thrilled about having them here in our vibrant and growing campus community. We know they have a made a good college choice, and we want them to feel good about the choice they have made."

First-year students will begin moving into the residence halls at 9 a.m. on Aug. 15. Students will check in at the Student Recreation Center during a scheduled time between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. There, students will receive their residence hall assignments and room keys and have the opportunity to browse through an information fair full of booths representing various businesses, organizations and University offices.

A Greek Life informational meeting is planned for 3 p.m. Thursday in Towers Café. There, students and parents will have an opportunity to get information on sororities and fraternities at Southeast and to ask questions about Greek Life on the Southeast campus.

Mandatory residence hall floor meetings for all new students are scheduled for 8 to 9 p.m. on Thursday in residence hall floor lounges.

The evening will culminate with First Night, an evening of fun and excitement in the Student Recreation Center scheduled for 9:30 p.m. to midnight. First night introduces new students to Southeast's numerous student organizations through social and recreational activities. Featured activities will include human bowling, jousting, an obstacle course and door prizes. Bingo and an open gym for basketball will be available for those who prefer more low key events. This evening is sponsored by the Student Activities council, New Student Programs, the University Center and the Student Recreation Center.

On Aug. 16, faculty and staff will welcome the newest members of the University community with a Welcome Convocation at the Show Me Center. The convocation, which provides students with a general University orientation, begins at 8:45 a.m. Dr. Jane Stephens, Southeast provost, and Student Government President Ross McFerron will welcome new students to Southeast. Dr. Hamner Hill, professor of philosophy and religion; Dr. Georgeanne Syler, associate professor of human environmental studies; and Dr. Irene Ferguson, dean of students, will discuss ways for new students to become responsible members of their campus community.

A meeting of nontraditional students is planned for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Center Missouriana Room. Any student who is a veteran, a GED recipient, married or divorced, has dependents or is over the age of 24 should attend this very informative meeting, which also will include lunch.

New students will break into Southeast 101 groups from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Southeast 101 allows students to ask questions of faculty and students about academics and campus life. Southeast 101 gives students a glimpse of what Southeast life is like through discussions that focus on academic expectations in the college classroom, basic tips for succeeding and how to access resources at the University. Southeast 101 sessions include lunch.

Students will take the California Critical Thinking Test from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in various locations. Following the test, students may attend college meetings and workshops from 2 to 4 p.m. in buildings across campus.

A fraternity recruitment informational meeting is planned for 4 p.m. in Towers Café. An "Italiano Night" dinner will be served after the meeting in Towers Café.

The annual "Great Ice Cream Pig Out" is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. This all-you-can-eat Southeast tradition features ice cream served by Southeast students and administrators, and entertainment provided by Jim Wand, nationally acclaimed hypnotist. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Activities begin Aug. 17 with a First STEP enrollment program for first-year students who have not yet attended the program. The program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Center.

Also on Aug. 17, students can get connected to the Internet at one of several informative training sessions scheduled throughout the day in the Towers and University Center computer labs. Students will learn how to communicate via e-mail, access the Internet, use their University user code and about the services offered by the Computer Services Department.

Campus tours will be conducted from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning at the Stroup Fountain in front of Kent Library. A number of recreation activities are scheduled during the afternoon. Water games will be held at Parker Field, the climbing wall will be open and Boot Camp Aerobics will be available in the Student Recreation Center. Students also can try their hands at sand volleyball on the court behind the Towers Complex.

A "Red Hot BBQ" is planned for 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Towers Café. Later that evening, a Minority Student Forum is planned at 6:30 p.m. in Towers Room 110; an outdoor movie, "Ocean's Eleven," will be show on Academic Terraces at about 8 p.m.; and friends of Journey magazine will meet at 10 p.m. at Towers Café.

Campus Ministries will hold services through the morning of Aug. 18 at various locations.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee in collaboration with Chartwells Dining Services will hold its annual Welcome Back Picnic beginning at 4 p.m. at Capaha Park. The annual picnic offers food, fun and lots of activities for students, faculty and staff. Musician Mike Errico will perform in the band shell at 5 p.m.

Following the picnic, a sorority informational meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in Towers Café.

Classes for the fall 2002 semester will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 19.

For more information on Opening Week activities, contact New Student Programs at (573) 651-5166 or go to http://ustudies.semo.edu/nsp/.