"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 made a good college choice, and we want them to feel good about the choice they made."

On Aug. 22, 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 and information about Opening Week activities, begins at 9:30 a.m. Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, and Student Government President Adam Schaefer will welcome new students to Southeast. John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Southeast Missouri State University alumnus, will present the keynote address.

A meeting for 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. The theme for this year's Southeast 101 session is "Live Responsibly…Experience Success." Southeast 101 allows new students to ask questions of faculty and current 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. Lunch will be served during the meeting.

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.

Towers Café will be serving an "Italiano Night" dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

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 the Second City Touring Company. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Activities begin Aug. 23 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. 23, students can get connected to the Internet at one of several informative training sessions scheduled throughout the day in Towers and the 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 Information Technology at Southeast.

Campus tours will be conducted from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning at the Stroup fountain in front of Kent Library. Student leaders will show students around campus. Students should bring a copy of their schedule.

A number of recreation activities are scheduled during the afternoon. The Student Recreation Center will have the climbing wall open, a Smart Exercise orientation, and volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton games. From 1 to 5 p.m., the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation will sponsor a cave exploration. Students interested in participating should meet at the Stroup Fountain at 1 p.m. There also will be a sand volleyball challenge in the Towers Sand Court from 2 to 5 p.m. Soda and other backyard games will be provided.

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 the University Center Program Lounge. An outdoor movie, "Office Space," will be shown on Academic Terraces at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. singer and songwriter Dr. Dale Haskell, Southeast professor of English, will provide a mellow Coffeehouse evening of song in Towers Café.

Campus Ministries will hold services throughout the morning of Aug. 24 at various locations.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce University Relations Committee in partnership with Chartwells Educational Dining Services will hold its annual Welcome Back Picnic beginning at 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Capaha Park. The annual picnic offers food, fun and lots of activities for students, faculty and staff.

Following the picnic, a fraternity informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in Towers Café. A sorority informational meeting will be held at 8 p.m., also in Towers Café.

Classes for the fall 2003 semester will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 25. That evening, from 6-8 p.m. the University Center will hold an open house.

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