WEST HAVEN–I know what it’s like being a freshman, I was one just two years ago. As a returning student last year, I know that it’s easy to miss some really cool and fun events on campus during Welcome Week. So read up, kiddies, and I’ll give you some tips regarding this amazingly fun-filled, feature-packed, and something-something week!

For the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of being a member of the 2008 Welcome Week Committee. The committee, which is made up of both students and staff, has been planning since early July. Chaired by our humble Director of Student Activities, Greg “Greg O” Overend, the WWC has planned over $40,000 worth of events, food, fun, and prizes, with over 87% of the funding supplied by our Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA). Let’s take a lot at what the WWC has to offer this week.

Wednesday: Today, the Aug. 27, there will be an “All Day Q&A”-that is, a group of students and staff walking around to help with any questions you may have. Whether you are a new student or current student, feel free to stop any of these Q&A’ers with any question-regardless of how simple you think it may be! Trust me, as someone who was a freshman not too long ago, it’s best to ask now and not wait until later!

From 9:30 a.m. until noon, the lovely staff of The Charger Bulletin will be handing out the first issue of the 2008-2009 Charger Bulletin. But wait, there’s more! There are three hidden “golden tickets,” each worth a $100 gift card from Best Buy. Hopefully you’re reading this in one of those issues!

From noon to 4 p.m. you can make your own aquarium in the Residential Quad; this gets so much attention every year, so be sure to get there as soon as you can! After that, don’t forget to check out Aloha UNH from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and then American Popstar! from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening will end with Elm City Theater Company’s 1959 Pink Thunderbird at 9 p.m. in Dodds Theater. Trust me, you HAVE to check these guys out.

Thursday: From noon until 2 p.m., you’ll have the chance to build your own kite in the Upper Student Lounge. Also, if you’re not registered to vote, be SURE to do so at Bartels Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Although it’s sponsored by the College Democrats, you can register for any-or no-party you wish! And if you think your vote won’t count, you’re dead wrong.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the quad will be the hilarious Alex House and Craig Carmean. I’ll admit I never saw them last year, but reviews from all around campus gave them multiple thumbs up, so I’m definitely going to be trying to go this year!

Closing the night is a block party, hosted by the lovely folks at the Rec Center, outside of Bayer Hall from 9 p.m. until midnight, and then a trip to go bowling from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday: You forgot something and you just realized it. So catch the shuttle to IKEA (it’s free, of course!) from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Pickup is at Maxcy Hall, and they’ll take you promptly to New Haven’s humungous IKEA for those items you forgot to pick up.

From 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. there will be a game show in the quad, “Battle of the Sexes.” Be sure to check it out, it’s a great time! HINT: There will be Dippin’ Dots there!

Saturday: There will be a shuttle running all day, from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m., into downtown West Haven. Besides heading to the beach (don’t forget your kites from Thursday!), it will also take you to the West Haven Green for the Farmers Market and Craft Festival.

In the German Club, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., be sure to hop over (no pun intended, I swear guys …) to the Dance Party! And don’t forget, New Hall’s awesome Sky Ranch and Pandini’s will be open late!

Sunday: Sunday will be a great day to check out some awesome places in Connecticut. There will be off-campus trips to the New Britain Rock Cats, Farmington River Tubing, Mystic Village, the Palisade’s Mall, and the Bronx Zoo. Don’t forget to sign up Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bartels!

And in case you’re one of the MANY people who don’t know how or need help with laundry, please check out Laundry 101 at 7 p.m. in New Hall. Please. Please. I can’t believe you guys-even upperclassmen!-don’t know how to do laundry! Well, now there are no more excuses.

Monday: Hard to believe it’s going to be over already, but Monday’s the last official day of Welcome Week! Check out the field day activities from noon until 4 p.m. in the quad, the Labor Day picnic and Supermaket Bingo from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Bartels, and the Drive-In Movie (Iron Man), root beer floats, popcorn, and prizes galore from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the quad!

This may wrap up Wlcome Week this year, but plenty  of events lie ahead for UNH this year.