Welcome week not just for new students

August 25 marks move in day for new students, and it also is the start of welcome week at the University of South Dakota.

This year welcome week events are open to all USD students and run from Aug. 25 to Sept. 3.

New students will begin welcome week with Convocation in the DakotaDome at 3:30 p.m. followed by the Provost’s Picnic.

Returning students can kick off the event Saturday evening with the USD block Party in the DakotaDome parking lot.

“The program has changed a lot in the last couple years,” said Assistant Director of Student Life Lindsay Sparks. “We tried to see what works well during the year and make it bigger during welcome week.”

Last year, the program was expanded to a week instead of simply a few days like past years. This year, the week has more events and is open to everyone.

“We work very closely with sorority fraternity life, SGA, RHGA, athletics the academic department, and really it’s a university collaboration,” Sparks said.

Welcome week is organized by the Coyote crew, a group of student leaders who help students adjust to campus life.

Coyote Crew has been around all summer helping with Fast Track registration and preparing for Welcome Week.

A full list of events can be found at http://www.usd.edu/campus-life/student-services/orientation/index.cfm