Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s (FAMU) Office of Student Activities is rolling out the red carpet to welcome all incoming freshmen and transfer students to the “Hill.”
The “Welcome Week 2016: What A Time To Be a Rattler” which takes place Aug. 17 – 21 began with Freshman Move-In and ends just prior to the first day of classes on Aug. 22.
Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr. said Senior Leadership Team members participating in Welcome Week activities, specifically freshmen move-in, allows the new and returning students to experience the dedication and genuine support University leaders have for FAMU’s students.
“In many instances students do not have an opportunity to converse with the senior leadership. This labor of love establishes a comradery that extends through the year and hopefully through graduation,” Hudson said.
Incoming Rattlers and their parents are also able to take care of any final financial aid needs at the “One Stop Shop Part I” from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Al Lawson Center, located at 1800 Wahnish Way; receive information about learning how to program at “Crack the Code”, a welcome event hosted by the College of Science and Technology, located in Benjamin Banneker; or drop into Word Wednesdays Live from 8 p.m.-11 p.m., an open mic talent show taking place in the Efferson Union Grand Ballroom.
Welcome Week is designed to provide student engagement in academic and social activities on and around campus. Director of Student Activities William Clemm admitted he didn’t attend a university that had “welcome week.”
“FAMU’s welcome week is awesome because it helps students, especially with the mixed schedule, get acclimated with the campus and feel like they’re a part of it. There is something there for every student, from a snapchat meet and greet to the culminating event– the SGA President’s Inauguration and Freshman Pinning Ceremony.”
Clemm, faculty and staff across various departments, and students from the Campus Activities Board and Student Government Association came together to create a robust schedule that would cater to the needs of those participating. Onyx Franklin, a second year pre-physical therapy student, sat on the committee as a student representative.
“As a student, it was important for me to participate in the planning of this year’s “Welcome Week”, because I have to partake in the festivities. I’ve heard from upperclassmen how previous welcome weeks were very fun and I wanted to have a hand in making it just that for FAMU’s Class of 2020,” Franklin said.
To view the full list of welcome week events, go to https://orgsync.com/login/famu and log in using your FAMU ID and password.