Meryn Steeves expects this Welcome Week will be one to remember. The 2012 Welcome Week chair made quite a few changes to this year’s events, changes she hopes will enhance the new students’ experience.
The first big change will be on Saturday at the cheer off, where STU’s new mascot will be unveiled. STU hasn’t had a real mascot for several years. Steeves says students should be prepared for other surprises that night too.
“The cheer off is going to be really epic this year. It’s going to be really exciting.”
A brand new event is Comedy Night with Debra DiGiovanni and Darryl Purvis. On Monday night the comedians will perform in the Rigby ballroom. DiGiovanni is best known for her work on Much Music’s Video on Trial and Purvis is a Nova Scotian comedian. Steeves says this is the event she’s the most excited for.
“This is something new to Welcome Week this year, and we’re hoping for a great turn out. Debra is hilarious, so it’s bound to be a good time,” Steeves said in a recent press release.
In previous years there was a free concert at the end of Welcome Week. But because of poor attendance, the idea was scrapped and replaced with a Battle of the Bands. Each band will consist of at least 50 per cent STU students. The winning band receives $1,000 and the opportunity to be the opening act for a concert this fall.
Steeves hopes the Comedy Night and Battle of the Bands will inspire more off-campus and upper-year students to participate in Welcome Week activities.
Other traditional events include the talent show, Academic Transition Day, the T-Pin Ceremony, and the dance at the end of the week.
The week’s theme, “STUvival,” is a combination of the popular “Hunger Games” book series, and the predicted 2012 apocalypse. But Steeves says it means more than that.
“The premise of the week is that we’re giving them the tools to survive their first week at STU. So we give them their survival kit, we give them instructions on how to get around, what to do. We’re here to help them survive.”
Steeves says her goal for Welcome Week is to make the transition to STU as fun and smooth as possible, for as many students as she can.
“I’m hoping that they’ll know their way around, know their way to classes, and feel comfortable asking people for help when they need it.”
There will also be a closing ceremonies for the first time. Steeves added this as a way to tie together the week, from start to finish. There are lots of prizes to win throughout the week including a futon, dorm accessories, gift cards, and passes to the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.
“I was really shy my first year and I know how intimidating it can be, just feeling like you don’t know what’s going on. But just put yourself out there, really make yourself go to the events and talk to people because there’s no better way to meet people.”
For a detailed schedule check out www.stu.ca or www.facebook.com/StuWelcomeWeek2012
