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LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas welcomes new and returning Jayhawks to campus this weekend for an exciting introductory week of social and academic activities.
Hawk Week, a 20-year tradition at KU, teaches students not only where they can do research or park their cars but also how to sing the KU fight song and recite the Rock Chalk chant like experienced alumni. Traditional university events, including Convocation, the Mount Oread Scholars Walk Up the Hill and the Kemper Awards for teaching excellence complete the first-week whirl of activities.
Kristin Trendel, director of New Student Orientation, said Hawk Week sprang from an older, less-educational tradition known as Country Club Week. By the 1980s, Country Club Week had evolved into a disorganized, unsanctioned circuit of parties during the week between the residence halls' opening and the beginning of classes.
Over the years, the program has grown to include Hawk Days to cover academic and logistical orientation at KU and Hawk Nights to allow students the chance to get to know one another. The combination, Trendel said, has been very successful.
"We must be doing something right because attendance over the past five years has continued to increase," she said. "It's a fun and festive atmosphere."
Between Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 26, students have open invitations to attend daily informational sessions on the libraries, sports venues, student employment, volunteer opportunities and finding classes. At night, students are invited to the Student Alumni Association's Ice Cream Social, Traditions Night, free movies, concerts and arts festivals.
"If you're coming from a small school or don't know a lot of people, KU can be intimidating," Trendel said. "Hawk Week welcomes the students and lets them know we're glad they're here.
"I think it really helps students to feel like they haven't just been left here. It tells them that somebody is excited about them being at KU."
A complete schedule of Hawk Week events is available at www.hawkweek.ku.edu. Here are the highlights of Hawk Week and other events during the week:
Sunday, Aug. 18
• Residence and scholarship halls open at 8 a.m.
• Union Fest at 9 p.m., Kansas Union. Games, giveaways and free food.
Monday, Aug. 19
• Mount Oread Scholars Walk Up the Hill, 7 a.m., from scoreboard on south end of Memorial Stadium to Campanile and Spencer Research Library.
KU students walk down Mount Oread to graduate, so it's only fitting that incoming Mount Oread scholars kick off their education at KU by walking up the hill.
• Traditions Night, 8 p.m., Memorial Stadium. "Waving the Wheat," the alma mater, the Rock Chalk chant. Tradition is an enormous part of life on the Hill.
• Rock-A-Hawk, 10 p.m., Lied Center parking lot. A large dance party featuring live music, snacks, games and Coke products.
Tuesday, Aug. 20
• Beach 'N' Boulevard featuring the Info Fair, 7p.m., Wescoe Beach. Sand, carnival games, live music, comedy, snow cones, popcorn and fun. Students can check out the Student Organizations Information Fair.
• Movie on the Hill, 10 p.m.; West Campanile Hill. Bring a blanket and scope out your favorite spot on West Campanile Hill. Student Union Activities will show a movie on a giant outdoor screen. Popcorn and soda provided.
• Hawk Link Block Party, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., Wescoe Beach. Come dance the night away on Wescoe Beach and learn about Hawk Link, a multicultural retention program at KU. Enjoy a DJ, good tunes and soda.
Wednesday, Aug. 21
• Convocation, 8 p.m., Lied Center. Convocation is a coming together of all parts of campus to mark the official beginning of KU's 137th academic year. This ceremony will include addresses by Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Student Body President Jonathan Ng.
• Take Over the Beach, 1-4 p.m., Wescoe Beach. Take Over the Beach is sponsored by Hawk Link, KU's student retention program for success. This program features cultural performances, informational tables, a step show, food and games.
• Hometown Hawks [NEW], 7 p.m., Lied Center lawn. Students can meet with faculty, staff and other new students from their home area to get to know one another and explore what it's like to come to KU.
Thursday, Aug. 22
• First day of classes
• Kemper Awards. Chancellor Hemenway will lead the "Surprise Patrol" around campus as it delivers $5,000 Kemper Awards for teaching excellence to unsuspecting professors. In all, 20 teachers will be honored by KU, the W.T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank for their work in the classroom.
Friday, Aug. 23
• Free outdoor concert and art festival, 6 p.m., Lied Center lawn. Featuring Natalie MacMaster. Foot-tapping rhythms and expressive waltzes mix with step-dancing and old-fashioned storytelling to provide the perfect musical backdrop for this festive start to the Lied Center season.
Saturday, Aug. 24
• Community Service Project, 10 a.m., 4th floor lobby, Kansas Union. Volunteers will be bused to Wells Overlook, a rural park with a playground and lookout tower south of Lawrence. They will spend the day helping refurbish this Douglas County landmark. Lunch will be served as they learn more about volunteer opportunities at KU through a presentation by the KU Center for Community Outreach.
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