Campus Conversations

Welcome (Back) Weekend

August 28, 2011

In case you haven't been around campus, you should know....they're here!  Momentum has been building with the return of RAs, OxyEngage, OCore/OTeam, and athletes...but now it is official...the first year students have arrived!  Move in was Saturday and Orientation is well underway.  With the returning students coming back over the next day or two, that means it's time for the fun to really begin.  What does that mean?

This coming weekend, the Office of Student Life (web) (Facebook), Programming Board (web), Athletics (web), ResEd and Housing Services (web) (Facebook), and the Dean of Students Office (web) are working to bring you some entertainment to welcome you (back) to campus. Everything gets going Friday night at 8:30pm with a Screen on the Green on the JSC Quad.  Starting at 8:30pm there will be popcorn popping and music playing while folks get settled in.  There is a rumor floating around that there may even be different "toppings" for your popcorn.  The film will be the summer blockbuster Thor. So bring a blanket to sit on under the stars in the grass to enjoy the first of the Friday Night Movies for the year.  These free movies happen every Friday throughout the year.  Keep your eyes on our calendar to find out what movies will be featured in the coming weeks.  If you have suggestions for movies you want to see, email the Office of Student Life. The fun continues on Saturday night at 10pm with improv comedy from the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company at Thorne Hall.  UCB has been the launch pad for a range of famous comedic careers including many stars from Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report and 30 Rock including Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Sarah Silverman, and Zach Galifianakis to name just a few.  Last year they packed Sam Pav with over 200 people, so they decided to move to the larger venue this year.  This year they're coming back to Oxy to perform an even larger show in Thorne Hall.  The show will kick off at 10PM. Don't miss out!

On Sunday at 7pm in Thorne campus will welcome back one of our classic Welcome Weekend performers.  Comedian hypnotist Barry Jones will make people laugh, make people cry...make people cluck like a chicken...you know, the usual.  He's come back year after year because he's so much fun.  You can see some pictures from a past visit to Oxy and some videos too.  Make sure you get to Thorne early so you can get a seat in the front row and make sure you can really see all the action. The weekend will wrap up with Open Rec on Monday night at 7pm in Alumni Gym.  The evening will feature all sorts of options for fun physical activities.  Maybe play some basketball or volleyball or check out the new video-game style cycling/boarding fitness equipment.  In case you need some food fuel for your physical fun time, the In-N-Out Truck will also be there for a while to share with you on of California's classic fast foods. While you may consider all of that good news...here's the GREAT NEWS...all Welcome Weekend events are FREE to members of the Oxy community.  Just bring your ID to gain entry.  If you're a Tweeter, make sure you let us know how the events are with #oxyww.