Wildcat Welcome Gets Kicked Off this Month

Wildcat Welcome is an annual, campuswide event organized to formally welcome new UA students to the campus community.

It takes months and hundreds of volunteers to put together 10 days of events to welcome each year's new batch of Wildcats.

During Wildcat Welcome, dozens of events are held at the start of The University of Arizona's fall semester, providing both a formal and informal welcome to incoming students.

"Some of the events have existed in the past, but they now have a new energy," said Chrissy Lieberman, associate director and adviser of the Associated Students of The University of Arizona.

Lieberman, co-chair for this year's Wildcat Welcome events, said the planning committee each year works to bring together existing events and introduce others to give incoming students a broad introduction to the University and its resources – with social events included in the mix.

Wildcat Welcome, which runs Aug. 19-28, began at the UA in 1998 and has since grown to include involvement by a long list of campus departments and units and off-campus partners.

Students, faculty and staff will help students move into their residence halls, student clubs and organizations will introduce students to their activities and causes, and bands and other entertainers will perform at various campus locations.

Also, departments and units are hosting events to answer questions about a range of topics, such as campus jobs and internships, academic programs and campus safety. Off-campus businesses and organizations, along with vendors, are involved as well.

On Wednesday, the first day of Wildcat Welcome, UA Career Services will hold its first "Super Savings Bonus Event" from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Suite 411 of the Student Union Memorial Center. During the event, which will be held multiple days, UA students can register to interview for campus internships and jobs. Visitors have a chance to win prizes. 

Also, an "Ask Me" booth will be set up on the UA Mall on Aug. 24 – the first day of classes – and Aug. 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Passersby can get answers to questions they have about the University.

The following is a partial list (multiple events may be listed for certain days) of events. Visit the Wildcat Welcome Web site for a complete list.

Aug. 19

7 p.m. – Gallagher Theater, located in the Student Union Memorial Center food court, will host a free screening of "I Love You Man."

Aug. 20

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – The Army ROTC will hold an open house at South Hall, with a cookout from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Prospective ROTC students are invited to attend.
• 7 p.m.-10 p.m. – The Wildcat Sizzle will be held at the Park Student Union. Sponsored by Residence Life, the event will include volleyball matches and music.

Aug. 21

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – Students will be able to take free shuttles to Fry's Food Stores and the Tucson Mall. Shuttles leave every half hour from Centennial Hall and the Park Student Union shuttle stop. The shuttles will run through Aug. 23 and are sponsored by Fry's Food Stores and UA Parking and Transportation Services.
• 6 p.m. – The Wildcat BBQ will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center, featuring food, entertainment, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat and UA Cheer. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for everyone else.

Aug. 22

• 6 p.m.-10 p.m. – The Residence Hall Association Block Party will be held on the UA Mall. The festival includes food, music and other entertainment and is being presented by the Residence Hall Association and Arizona Student Unions.

Aug. 23

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – The Wildcat Bon Voyage Brunch will be held in the South Ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center. The Parents & Family Association event provides a chance for UA students and their families to give their formal "goodbyes." Tickets are $20 per person.
• 6 p.m. – The Freshman Convocation will be held at Centennial Hall. This is the formal welcome for and induction of the class of 2013.

Aug. 24

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – "Get REC'D" will be held on the UA Mall, featuring information about Campus Recreation offerings, games, giveaways and refreshments. The event is sponsored by eegee's and Campus Recreation.
• 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – "Fusion @ the Rec" will be held at the Student Recreation Center. There, attendees can learn about health, wellness and sports-related opportunities. The event is sponsored by Army ROTC and Campus Recreation.

Aug. 25

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – The Community Day Open House will be held on the  UA Mall. UA offices and organizations, plus groups from off campus, will be on hand to talk about their offerings and other opportunities.
• 12 p.m.-1 p.m. – The Child and Elder Care Open House for Student Families will be held at UA Life & Work Connections, 1125 N. Vine Ave. The event is geared toward UA students with child and elder care needs.
• 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. – The Wildcat Welcome LGBTQ Pizza Party will be held in Room 404 of the Student Union Memorial Center.

Aug. 26

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – The Wildcat Student Employment Fair for on-campus jobs will be held in the North Ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center. The event is meant to connect UA students with University departments that are hiring.

Aug. 27

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – The Student Involvement Fair will be held on the UA Mall, allowing students to learn about campus clubs and organizations.
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – The Transfer Student Welcome will be held on the UA Mall to welcome transfer students and aid them with their transition to the University.

Aug. 28

• 6 p.m.-8 p.m. – "ZonaZoo Power Hours" will be held on East University Boulevard. Wilbur the Wildcat, the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, the Arizona Pep Band, UA Cheer and the ZonaZoo Crew will be on site informing the crowd about UA traditions and performing songs. Everyone is encouraged to wear red as a show of their Wildcat pride.

In all, Lieberman said this year's Wildcat Welcome is a strong showing of what the UA's units and their partners have to offer.

"We want to engage our students," she said.

"We try to create a culture where students will be coming back and try to make it as full blown as possible," Lieberman added. "I encourage everyone to come out. It will be an exciting experience."