Students begin college career with Traditions at Southeastern
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: August 2, 2012
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University students will have the opportunity to begin a new semester getting to know their peers and all that the university has to offer thanks to "Traditions."
"Traditions provides new and returning students with various programming and information to assist them in making Southeastern their home away from home," said Vice President for Student Affairs Marvin Yates. "Students have the opportunity through Traditions to get to know each other and the campus and become comfortable with the routine of campus life.
"Students who become engaged with their institution early in their college careers in general perform better academically and socially," added Yates. "We see this as a way of engaging new and returning students at Southeastern."
Traditions begins Sunday, Aug. 12, with Move-in Mane-ia from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pennington Student Activity Center. Students can check in at their designated move-in time and receive Traditions materials.
Additionally on Sunday, a luau sponsored by University Housing is scheduled starting at 7:30 p.m., as well as Late Night with the Pennington, also at 7:30 p.m., in the Pennington Student Activity Center.
Monday, Aug. 13, begins with international student orientation from 8 to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Multicultural and International Student Affairs, the orientation will take place in the Student Union Theatre. Although the name might indicate otherwise, "Friday Night Live" with Southeastern's organizations is also scheduled on Monday at 7 p.m. in Student Union Park. Sponsored by Campus Activities Board, the event features live music and free food.
Monday and Tuesday, students will be able to participate in concurrent activities happening all over campus, such as a pastalya lunch, campus tours, a bar-b-q social and volleyball tournament. These events will be hosted by recognized student organizations.
Tuesday, August 14, is highlighted by the "Iron Lion Chef Competition," sponsored by the Student Government Association, Campus Dining and the Center for Student Excellence and scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cayman Cafe. Students will have the opportunity to get to know university administrators and academic advisors, while voting for their favorite celebrity chef's lunch.
Tuesday concludes with Strawberry Jam, the official semester kick-off party in the Strawberry Stadium parking facility. Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and Athletics, Strawberry Jam is scheduled from 6 – 8 p.m. and includes music provided by a DJ, free pizza and drinks, t-shirts and giveaways.
Traditions will conclude on Wednesday, Aug. 15, the first day of classes, with First Day Q&A. Scheduled at 7 a.m. in the Student Union Mall, students can stop by the Traditions tent to get answers to all their first day questions.
For more information about Traditions, go to southeastern.edu/traditions.
