Baylor To Host Welcome Weekend, Focus On Involvement Week

Since 1974, Baylor has begun each fall and spring semester with days of pre-class activities to welcome new students. Like its fall, week-long counterpart Welcome Week, Welcome Weekend, Jan. 9-11, is designed to make incoming students comfortable in their new school setting as well as to create bonds with other incoming students. The Baylor Transfer Council (BTC) organizes the event. Between 50 and 75 students are expected to participate.
This year's theme, "A League of Our Own," was chosen because transfer students are "unique and special," said Manu Kapoor, special projects chairperson of the BTC.
Participants are divided into small groups, called mini-conference or min-con groups, which attend special functions together and discuss campus issues with each other.
Welcome Weekend will officially begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, on the fifth floor of the Cashion Building. Guest speakers at the gathering will include Dr. William Hillis, vice president of student life, and baseball coach Steve Smith.
A candle-lighting ceremony is planned for 6:45 p.m. on Friday. Daniel Eady, coordinator of special events, and min-con leaders will speak to participants. A scavenger hunt will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the student center. Prizes will be awarded.
Activities will resume at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a lunch in the Bill Daniel Student Center, and other activities are planned throughout the day. Welcome Week students will attend the Baylor men's basketball game at 5 p.m. in the Ferrell Center against Kansas State.
Another activity will include Focus on Involvement Week Jan. 12-15.
According to Felice Szeto, coordinator of student activities, the purpose of the week is to inform students about organizations, both academic and social, and community service opportunities that they can join. There are approximately 250 different organizations at Baylor.
At noon on Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Student Involvement Board will perform a skit in the Bill Daniel Student Center about getting involved with campus organizations. Board members will then speak about various types of campus groups including Greek and service organizations. That evening, members of the Student Involvement Board will make presentations in all of the dormitories.
Szeto said the week targets students of all classifications and majors. Also, freshmen who have now completed 12 semester hours and have maintained a 2.5 grade-point average will see that other involvement opportunities have now opened for them.
For more information, contact Szeto at 710-4277.