With the start of the new academic year, we welcome over 3,000 new students to IUP. Here's a rundown of the main events and a few nice changes you'll see on campus.
First Day of Classes: Monday, Aug. 27
The whole of campus life, on schedule: academic calendar and central calendar.
CUSP Early Entrance Experience for New Students: Saturday, Aug. 18
About 600 students move in for seminars, tours, a common reading experience, and other activities designed to optimize their transition to college life through the popular College Undergraduate Success Program.
Welcome Weekend for Freshmen and Transfer Students: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 24–26
Students get their bearings, with the help of Orientation leaders and their department faculty, and get to chill out with The Avengers over Welcome Weekend. They're also discussing many aspects of campus life and the university system in the IUP Fall 2012 Facebook group.
Academic Year Opening Program and Reception: Friday, Aug. 24
9:00 a.m., Fisher Auditorium, Performing Arts Center
Students, faculty, staff, and community members welcome
President Michael Driscoll speaks, followed by Provost Gerald Intemann; Professor Mark Staszkiewicz, president of APSCUF (Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties); Professor David LaPorte, University Senate chair; Tedd Cogar, assistant director/Center for Student Life/Student Conduct, on behalf of SCUPA (State College and University Professional Association); and Andrew Longacre, student member of the Council of Trustees. A reception follows in the Oak Grove.
Convocation and Cookout: Sunday, Aug. 26
5:30 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, Performing Arts Center
All freshmen, faculty, staff, and community members invited
Professor Abbas Ali, the 2012–13 University Professor, presides as master of ceremonies. Professor Ben Rafoth delivers the keynote, and remarks are given by President Driscoll; the Rev. Joan Sabatino, IUP Interfaith Council; and Andrew Longacre, student trustee. Music by the IUP Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band. See schedule.
Move-In Days
Week of Aug. 12: Student Workers, Volunteers, Leaders, and Athletes: Students working as community assistants and academic mentors; members of the IUP Marching Band; and student athletes on the volleyball, soccer, ice hockey, and field hockey teams move in. Football players have been on campus since Aug. 8.
Monday, Aug. 20: International Students: About 180 new students arrive and start off with Orientation. Each semester, almost 700 students from over 75 countries are enrolled.
Thursday, Aug. 23: Cook Honors College Students: About 80 freshmen move into Whitmyre Hall and start off with Orientation.
Friday–Saturday, Aug. 24–25: All other new and transfer students: Students and families, arriving in staggered times, are directed to the Miller Stadium parking lot and released from there to their designated buildings. All IUP police officers and over 100 student workers and volunteers will be assisting. About 100 community assistants, academic mentors, and graduate and professional residence hall staff will be greeting and assisting students and family in the residence halls. Water stations will be available for students, parents, and move-in workers, courtesy of campus Greek organizations; Grace United Methodist Church; and APSCUF, the faculty union.
Sunday, Aug. 26: Upperclassmen: The remainder of residence hall students move in from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. And then IUP is ready for class!
Dining Hall Changes
- Einstein Brothers Bagels and a f'real milkshake station come to the HUB, and Burger Studio comes to Folger. The Works and Jump are no longer offered.
- A new POD in Putt Hall offers Java City and the Munch Box that used to be in Foster Lobby.
- Foster Lobby offers a Hydration Station.
- Meal swipes are now worth $5.04 instead of $4.88, and students will have the option to use two swipes.
Library Changes
"New furniture, please!" was the enthusiastic response from students in a University Libraries survey on changes needed in the library. Now, just in time for the new academic year, lots of great new seating has been added to Stapleton, including sectionals on the first floor and office chairs in the carels on the upper floors. The chairs that had been in the library since it opened 30 years ago were sent to surplus.