While they're still trying to figure out where the student union is located, new and returning students at the University of Colorado at Boulder will be awash in activities to help them learn about campus and have fun while they're unpacking and finalizing class schedules.
Classes begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 27. But leading up to that date are a slew of events ranging from late-night movies and rock-wall climbing to bicycle tours of Boulder and several events for foreign and minority students.
Although most students have already registered, some new freshmen and transfer students who are attending the final orientation session Aug. 21-23 also will be registering for classes. Class registration must be completed online by 5 p.m. Aug. 23.
After Aug. 23, registration will only be accepted on a space-available basis and a $50 fee will be charged for registering late.
All new students living in residence halls, primarily freshmen, will meet in their respective residence hall lobbies from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, for Housing Orientation. Resident Advisers in each of the halls will meet with new students to talk about residence hall life and answer questions.
Chancellor Richard Byyny will address new students in the Chancellor's Convocation at Norlin Quadrangle on Thursday, Aug. 23, at 5:30 p.m. to be followed by an informal dinner. The convocation is mandatory for all new CU-Boulder students.
Following the convocation, students are invited to the University Memorial Center student union for the UMC Crawl featuring music, comedy by Denver's A.C.E. comedy troupe, free bowling and smoothie samples and Bongo the balloonist.
Highlights of other activities planned for the week preceding classes from Aug. 21 through Aug. 26 follow.
o Aug. 22 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Roarin' Ralphie's Casino and Dance Hall at Kittredge Commons residence hall will feature a dance band, casino games and prizes and is open to all new students.
o Aug. 23 at 10:30 p.m. Late-night movies will be shown under the stars at the residence hall lawns. More information will be available in the halls.
o Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A New Student Welcome Carnival on Farrand Field will be the place for students to find out about student clubs and organizations, what they do and how to join. Food and games will be part of the carnival.
o Aug. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Â鶹ÒùÔº will gather at the Sewall residence hall beach, otherwise known as the south side of Sewall Hall, for a barbecue picnic and music.
o Aug. 24 from 7 p.m. to midnight. One of CU-Boulder's favorite hangouts, the Student Recreation Center, will host aerobics classes, swimming, volleyball, skating and even weightlifting for students who want to check out the facility and work off calories gained from the week's activities. But food will be served.
The week of August 27 will feature free aerobics, martial arts, master's swim, yoga and indoor cycling classes for all students.
o Aug. 24 at 10:30 p.m. Free late-night movies and popcorn will be available at the Williams Village lawn.
o Aug. 25 noon to 2 p.m. A bike tour of Boulder will begin at the South Terrace of the UMC and finish at Eben Fine Park in downtown Boulder. The tour will be easy riding, informational and safety conscious.
o Aug. 26, 6 p.m. CU football with Fresno State at Folsom Field.
Activities specifically for foreign and minority students include the following:
o Aug. 23 at lunch and dinner hours. The Foreign Student and Peer Mentor Program will offer lunch and dinner activities at the Environmental Design Building to help foreign students meet each other and learn about the Boulder campus and surrounding community.
o Aug. 24, 11 a.m. A Korean Student Welcoming Social at the Business College field is open to freshmen interested in finding out about the Korean Student Association. The ice cream social is open to all minority groups and freshmen.
o Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Foreign Student Welcome will provide information for foreign students about academic life, student health care, culture shock and other topics at the Cristol Chemistry Building, room 142.
o Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Communities of Color Fall Welcome Gathering at Observatory Field on Regent Drive will provide a venue for students to mingle and meet faculty. Other ethnic specific gatherings will be hosted for African American, Asian, American Indian and Latino students.
For more details check the Web at .