WOW builds community
The Center for Student Involvement is partnering with campus departments to give new and returning students an extended welcome this fall.
Weeks of Welcome (WOW) is an initiative that provides students with the chance to connect with fellow classmates, on-campus organizations and faculty through various events and activities. The events, which range from ice cream socials to athletic games, run through Sept. 23.
“Weeks of Welcome is an opportunity for most departments and staff to put events together to highlight what our campus has to offer,” said Sladjana Grbic, assistant programs director at the Center for Student Involvement. “Then once students see that at the beginning of the school year, the hope is that they will know how to find other things happening the rest of the semester.”
WOW’s emphasis on exhibiting the full UIC experience is important for students looking to get the most out of college.
“It definitely helps,” said Kendall Hunter, a senior in the College of Business Administration. “It gives students a sense of community. One of the most important things is being active on a college campus.”
Hunter, who received a back massage at WOW’s Worry Free! Wednesday sponsored by the African American Academic Network, thought the six-week welcoming period was beneficial for students.
“I think there’s been more participation this year because of the extended welcome weeks,” Hunter said. “It’s not just one week and you’re done.”
To increase awareness for this fall’s WOW events, the Center for Student Involvement has shifted to a digital approach. Events are now listed in the Guidebook App. Students can download Guidebook to their phone or tablet and view events by searching “UICWOW.”
“The good thing about Guidebook is that you can save these events to your phone,” Grbic said. “Then you get a reminder 15 minutes before the event, or however you set it, so that you remember to go.”
Here’s a look at upcoming events to check out:
Involvement Fair
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Lecture Center Plaza
Eat, play and learn at this outdoor fair. More than 200 student organizations and campus departments are on hand to teach students how to stay involved.
Spark in the Park
7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, UIC Pavilion
There’s no antidote for pre-Spark excitement. Travi$ Scott, Young Thug and Daya are all slated to perform in this year’s festival, which is free for UIC students, faculty and staff. Yeah, we said free.
UIC men’s soccer home opener vs. Marquette
7 p.m. Friday, Flames Field
The Flames battle the Golden Eagles in their first home match of the season.
