SRU welcomes back students with blend of virtual and in-person programming

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WoW is here

Slippery Rock University’s Week of Welcome will have a new look in 2020 with more virtual programming as SRU welcomes students back for the start of a new academic year.

Aug. 6, 2020

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Like most campus programming in the age of the coronavirus pandemic, Slippery Rock University's annual Week of Welcome will have a different look in 2020. Along with welcoming a reduced number of residential students to campus, WOW events, beginning Aug. 12, will feature a series of virtual programs to engage first-year students and help them get acclimated to campus life.

David Wilmes

   WILMES

"WOW is for everyone," said David Wilmes, SRU's chief student affairs officer. "Given the massive changes to campus life, we really want all students to check out the programming being offered this fall. There will be both social and educational events that can benefit all SRU students, not just first-year students."

In past years, WOW events centered around assisting first-year students as they moved into their residence halls with in-person programs, but because of physical distancing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, mostly virtual programs are being offered, ranging from educational Zoom meetings about the University to just-for-fun activities, such as an online game show, a hypnotist and a murder mystery event.

There will still be in-person interaction and activities, including "Ask Me" tents around campus, shuttles to the Grove City Premium Outlets shopping complex and an outdoor movie. "Ask Me" tents, located outside the Vincent Science Center, Weisenfluh Dining Hall and the Smith Student Center, will be open during the first week of classes, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 17-21, for students to get help navigating campus or other SRU-related questions.

All students who register and participate in WOW activities will receive an SRU T-shirt and have a chance to be eligible to win more than $2,500 in prizes, including free textbooks.

The following is a complete list of WOW programming. Registration for some events is required by using CORE, SRU's online platform for cocurricular organizations and programs.

  • Your Path to the ROCK!, hosted by Student Affairs, 11 a.m. to noon, Aug. 12, on Zoom, for a brief introduction of the various sessions and activities planned throughout the week.
  • Academic Support Workshop 1: Academic Success Tools, hosted by Academic Affairs and Integrated Learning, 3-3:30 p.m., Aug. 12, 13, 14 and 15 for an overview of MySRU, CORE and Rock Learning Now, the new webpage for academic success resources.
  • Academic Support Workshop 2: Demystifying D2L, hosted by Academic Affairs and Integrated Learning, 3:30-4 p.m., Aug. 12,  13, 14 and 15, for an introduction to D2L, the  University's online learning management system, and how to get ready for online classes.
  • Academic Support Workshop 3: Microsoft 365, hosted by Academic Affairs and Integrated Learning, 4-4:30 p.m., Aug. 12,  13, 14 and 15 for an introduction to Zoom and Microsoft 365 and the apps that are available to students.
  • Campus Student Employment & Trivia, hosted by Payroll and Student Employment, 11 a.m. to noon, Aug. 13, on Zoom, for a video discussion about student employment at SRU, as well as a trivia game and a chance to win gift cards.
  • What Can Your SGA Do For You?, hosted by the Slippery Rock Student Government Association, 2-2:30 p.m., Aug. 13, on Zoom, for a presentation about how the SRSGA advocates for students and how students can become SRSGA senators.
  • The Emerging Leadership Experience, hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership, 2:30-3 p.m., Aug. 13, on Zoom, to help first-year students learn and develop leadership skills and meet student peer mentors who have completed the ELE program.
  • How Do I Make Friends When We're All Online?, hosted by Student Support, 3-4 p.m., Aug. 13, on Zoom.
  • Shuttles to Grove City Premium Outlets, hosted by SRSGA, 4-7 p.m., Aug. 13 and 14; noon to 4 p.m., Aug. 15 and 16, departing from the University Union parking lot.
  • Hypnotist Chris Jones, hosted by University Program Board, 8 p.m., Aug. 13, on Zoom, featuring the famed hypnotist who appeared on season 10 of "America's Got Talent."
  • Step Up! Bystander Intervention, hosted by Health Promotion and Student Support, 11 a.m. to noon, Aug. 14 on Zoom, to teach students decision-making steps about when and how to intervene in problematic situations.
  • Staying Healthy on Campus during COVID-19, hosted by Health Promotion, 2-3 p.m., Aug. 14, on Zoom, to provide students a broad overview on how to lead a healthy lifestyle in college during the COVID-19 pandemic, including illness prevention, proper nutrition, mental health and sexual health, as well as general information about services provided through Student Health Services.
  • Campus Recreation Q&A, hosted by Campus Recreation, 3-4 p.m., Aug. 14, on Zoom, for information about usage of the Aebersold Student Recreation Center and available programming.
  • Murder Mystery: Dial "M" for Mother, hosted by Fraternity & Sorority Life, 8 p.m., Aug. 14, on Zoom, for a fun event to solve a mystery featuring clues revealed during an online video.
  • FARRAGO Game Show, hosted by Emerging Leadership Experience, 8 p.m., Aug. 15, on Zoom, a game designed for laughter, light-hearted competition and the chance to get to know the other players.
  • First Floor Meeting, hosted by Residence Life, 8-9 p.m., Aug. 17, on Zoom, as residence hall students are required to attend an informational session hosted by their community assistant or resident assistant that outlines guidelines, policies and procedures. Students will be emailed a link from their community assistant.
  • Epic BINGO, hosted by Fraternity & Sorority Life, 9 p.m., Aug. 21, on Zoom, for a chance to win up to $3,000 in prizes.
  • SGA Outdoor Movie Series: "Birds of Prey," hosted by SRSGA, 8:30 p.m., Aug. 22, on The Quad. Rain location will be the SSC Theater.
  • Involvement Fair, hosted by Student Engagement and Leadership, 12:30-2 p.m., Aug. 25, and 4-6 p.m., Aug. 26, on CORE, as more than 200 student organizations will promote their events, leadership and service opportunities.

The following recorded online programming is also available. See CORE for details unless otherwise noted:

For questions about WOW, email wow@sru.edu or call the Office of Student Success at: 724.738.2136.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu

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