NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010
Contact: Steve Rottinghaus, Baker University public relations director, (785) 594-8330 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wildcat Welcome week scheduled announced

Baldwin City, Kan. — The Wildcat Welcome week, a kick-off to the 2010-11 academic year for Baker University students, is set for Aug. 22-25 on the Baldwin City campus.

Fall classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 25,

Here’s the schedule for Wildcat Welcome:

Sunday, Aug. 22

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Residence halls open for new students.

Residence life staff members will be in the residence hall lobbies to check new students into their new home. Fraternity and sorority members will be available to assist.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lunch. Harter Union.

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Greek life information tables, residence halls and Harter Union lobby

Visit one of the tables to learn more about fraternities and sororities.

Noon-3 p.m.: Greek chapter houses open for new students

Students visit the fraternity and sorority open houses with their parents and family members

Delta Tau Delta fraternity, 604 Fifth St.

Kappa Sigma fraternity, 1215 Eighth St.    

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, 412 Sixth St.

Zeta Chi fraternity, 903 Eighth St.

Alpha Chi Omega sorority, 403 Eighth St.

Delta Delta Delta sorority, 816 Fremont St.

Phi Mu sorority, 519 Eighth St.

Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, 503 Ninth St.

Noon-5 p.m.: Baker University Bookstore open

1-3 p.m.: Business Office open, Harter Union Zeller Conference Room

Visit with staff members to ask questions or handle any business-related matters

1-3 p.m.: Financial Aid Office Open, Harter Union lower level

Visit with financial aid members

1-3 p.m.: ID Center Open, physical plant

1-3 p.m.: Information Technology assistance, Harter Union lobby

Visit with the IT staff

3 p.m.: Greek life opportunities meetings

Learn more about life in a fraternity or sorority.

Sorority information session, McKibbin Recital Hall

Sorority parent information session, Owens Musical Arts Building Audio-Visual room

Fraternity information session, Mulvane Science Hall 110

Fraternity parent information session, Mulvane Science Hall 120

4 p.m.: Wildcat Welcome Pep Rally Kick-Off, Hartley Plaza

Students will have an opportunity catch the Baker Wildcat spirit, including performances by the BU Cheer Squad, Dance Team and WOWzer

4 p.m.: A Parent’s Guide to a Good First Year, Rice Auditorium

Experience the Wildcat Welcome Orientation Team “Transitions for Parents” skit and learn helpful hints from Cassy Bailey, dean of students.

4:30 p.m.: Students and parents send-off session, Hartley Plaza

Take a family photo in front of the Wildcat statue

5:15 p.m.: Back-to-School BBQ, Harter Union dining room

Indoor picnic with music, mingling, prizes and more

6:30 p.m.: Class of 2014 Photo, steps of Parmenter Hall

Freshmen will have their photo taken with their new classmates

7 p.m.: Mandatory residence hall area meetings, residence halls

Residence life staff members will discuss what living in a residence hall is like

8 p.m.: Student Academic Convocation, Rice Auditorium

Freshmen will officially be welcomed by Baker President Pat Long

8:30 p.m.: Traditions Walk/Night

Students from the Class of 2014 will take the traditional walk through campus as they would on graduation day

9 p.m.: PLAYFAIR, Collins Gym

Entertaining games for new students

Monday, Aug. 23

8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.: Continental breakfast available, Harter Union dining Room

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Baker University Bookstore Open, Harter Union main level

10 a.m.: Mandatory first-year class group meetings, Collins Gym

New students will have the opportunity to meet other new students enrolled in their section of first-year experience, scholar’s salon or transfer year experience.

10 a.m.: TRANSFERmation! Transfer Student Orientation, Collins Library 107

Transfer students will become acquainted and reconnect with Terri Blake, senior associate director of admission

11 a.m.: Help Me Avoid the “Freshman 15” Session, Harter Union lobby

Campus staff and members of Active Minds and Peer Educators will share tips on how to maintain a healthy body and mind.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch available,  Harter Union dining room

11 a.m.-8 p.m.: Wildcat Café open

11:30 a.m.: Harlaxton, Mexico, Australia, Oh My! Harter Union lobby

Wildcat Welcome Orientation team members and faculty share their experiences from studying abroad

1-2 p.m.: “What It Takes to be a Wildcat,” Rice Auditorium

The mandatory session discusses campus standards and how to develop into an ideal job candidate

2-4 p.m.: Activities Fair, Hartley Plaza

Students learn how to become involved in campus organizations

4-5 p.m.: Greek life block party, Hartley Plaza

Students enjoy ice cream, play outdoor games and meet new friends and hang out with fraternity and sorority members.

5-6:15: Dinner available, Harter Union dining room

6:15-8:30 p.m.: Sorority house tours, Harter Union lobby

Visit the four national panhellenic conference sororities to learn more about sorority life

8-9 p.m.: Multicultural affairs reception, Harter Union lobby

Multicultural affairs director Silas Dulan, faculty and staff discuss opportunities to celebrate diversity on campus

9 p.m.: SAC Comedian: Eric O’Shea, Rice Auditorium

Entertainer Eric O’Shea has performed at colleges across the nation and on the 2009 Creative Emmy Awards. Baker’s Loud Noises Improv comedy troupe will open the event

Tuesday, Aug. 24

8:30-10 a.m.: Continental breakfast available, Harter Union dining room

Noon-5 p.m.: Baker University Bookstore open, Harter Union main level

9:30 a.m.: Meet the University minister, Osborne Chapel

Baker’s full-time minister Ira DeSpain works discusses campus ministry opportunities

10 a.m.: Wildcat Welcome chapel service, Osborne Chapel

11 a.m.: Speech Choir information session, Harter Union lobby

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch available, Harter Union dining room

11 a.m.-8 p.m.: Wildcat Café open

Noon: Deadline to register for sorority recruitment, Harter Union 34

1 p.m.: Orientation for premedical, predental and preveterinarian students, Mulvane Science Hall 120

Meet with Darcy Russell, professor of biology, and Susan Wade, director of the career development center

1-3 p.m.: Jazz band auditions, Owns Musical Arts Building 202

2-3 p.m.: Mulvane Science Center open house, Mulvane Hall

2-5 p.m.: Choir auditions, Owens Musical Arts Building 102

4 p.m.: Theatre opening meeting, Rice Auditorium lobby

5-6:15 p.m.: Dinner available, Harter Union dining room

6:30 p.m.: Sorority recruitment begins, Harter Union lobby

8 p.m.: Fraternity recruitment begins, Harter Union lobby

Wednesday, Aug. 25

First day of classes

2-5 p.m.: Choir auditions, Owens Musical Arts Building 102

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Baker University is committed to assuring student learning, and developing confident, competent and responsible contributors to society.