OSU launches Welcome Week for new students; first-ever convocation set for Aug. 20

Monday, August 16, 2010

A New Student Convocation will highlight Oklahoma State University’s Welcome Week activities, which will run Aug. 18-27 in Stillwater. Fall classes will begin on Aug. 23.

The convocation, set for Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena, will be hosted by OSU President Burns Hargis. This first-ever convocation will be a formal celebration of scholarship and tradition to welcome the university’s new students into the OSU community of learners and mark a significant milestone in their lives.  

“We are excited to welcome to OSU what we expect will be one of the largest groups of new students in many years,” said Hargis. “Welcome Week offers an excellent introduction to life as an OSU student. Our new convocation will start the students on a path to academic success and a prized degree.”

Welcome Week is open to all new freshmen or transfer students, and new students in the NOC-Stillwater/OSU Gateway program also are encouraged to attend. New students planning to live in a fraternity or sorority house, residence hall, or off campus should plan to attend Welcome Week. 

Formerly known as ALPHA, the week is designed around OSU’s Six Pillars of Student Success: Academic Excellence, Leadership, Service/Civic Engagement, Finding Your Purpose, Broadening Your Horizons, and Wellness. 

The purpose of Welcome Week is to acclimate students to campus and to promote retention and student success. All new students must attend a college spotlight and reception on Aug. 20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m., and each college group will attend the convocation together.

Students will have more than 100 events to choose from during Welcome Week, including campus-wide social events, the popular Colvin Center gala, and a clubs and organizations showcase.

Residence Hall move-in for new freshmen is Aug. 18. Students planning to live in fraternity or sorority houses should check with their chapter leadership for move-in dates.

Many OSU offices will be open on Saturday, Aug. 21. Student services offices in all of the undergraduate colleges will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with the Bursar, Campus Life information desk, Inclusion Center for Academic Excellence, International Students and Scholars, Registrar, Scholarships and Financial Aid, New Student Orientation and Enrollment, Undergraduate Admissions, University Academic Services, and the Seretean Wellness Center. The Student Union Bookstore and Colvin Recreation Center will also be open on both Saturday and Sunday.

Welcome Week is free, but students must register at http://www.okstateU.com/2010. By completing the registration they will receive a free T-shirt when they arrive on campus on Aug. 18. To register for Welcome Week 2010, visit OKStateU 1.0 at http://www.okstateu.com/2010 and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner. 

Students must register with their okstate.edu e-mail address. If they don't have an OSU e-mail address yet, they should visit http://okey.okstate.edu/ to create their account. Anyone with questions or problems with registration on OKStateU 1.0  at http://www.OKstateU.com/2010 can call Student Affairs at (405)744-5328.