Both new and old students at Stony Brook are in for another memorable start-of-semester Experience Stony Brook. Experience SB will begin on Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2 when incoming students will receive their new ID card, a planner and guide to success, all of which are indispensable for anyone new. Even as their families get a taste of everything that Stony Brook has to offer, students will continue to experience this for a whole month after.
At Experience SB, families will get to bid farewell to their loved cubs at a’ BBQ at the Student Activities Center Plaza from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. Students should also be able to spot off-campus vendors here – a great way to pick up free samples. And while they are at it, they should make a visit to the Seawolves Spirit Dinner at 4:00 PM in the Stadium Field. What better way to build spirit than to watch the kickoff game against the Georgetown Hoyas afterwards. The night does not end there. Several first night out activities have been planned from 9:00 PM to midnight the same day at the Student Activities Center and the Stony Brook Union. This is required for residents, but encouraged for commuters (the Resident Advisors will be hounding new students to attend these, and with good reason too!).
On Sunday, Sept. 2, students are required to attend the New Student Convocation at 11:00 AM at the LaValle Stadium. This is their chance to meet the higher-end of the administration, including President Shirley Strum Kenny and the respective deans of several colleges. This will be followed by an Undergraduate College Programming Activity and Lunch session where students will get to know their faculty and staff and mingle with their fellow students. The team-building activities are theme-based and have received incredibly positive reviews in the past. So, although they are required, students should make an effort to try some.
Later in the evening, commuters will have a chance to meet others in the SAC Commuter Commons at 5:00 PM. Whether it is carpooling or simply meeting students who empathize with your exhausting travel to SBU, this is a great networking opportunity. This is also a good time to take a ‘Class Building’ tour, so that when classes start on Sept. 4 and you have to walk from the Health Science Center to the Union in under ten minutes, it will be a piece of cake. What better way to end Experience SB than with a Welcome Dinner at the SAC and Fountain Plazas from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM? From 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM, students can mull over the dinner at carnival games, inflatable interactive activities, and even more food at the Sunday Spectacular.
Unlike most universities, SBU’s welcome for new and old students continues at opening activities which take place all of September. Director of Student Activities, Alexandra Duggan, said, ‘For Opening, the most popular activities are Bingo for Books, the Involvement Dair, Texas Hold ‘Em, Craft Night, Fitness Jam, etc.’ Some of the on-campus organizations involved in making this experience complete are the Student Activities Board, the Hillel Foundation, the Residence Hall Association, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Association, Omega Phi Beta and more, according to Duggan.
Here are some of the highlights this semester that the Statesman recommends you do not miss:
Monday, September 3 Campus Community Info Fair SAC Plaza
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Gather information and free giveaways from campus departments.
Movie Under the Stars
Staller Outdoor Plaza
8:30 PM.
Chocolate treats and the original Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory – why miss it!
Tuesday, September 4
Bingo for Books
SAC Ballroom A
9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Why pay for books when you have a lucky hand? Win gift baskets and gift cards you can use towards books.
Wednesday, September 5 Department of Theatre Arts Fall Auditions
Staller Center Theatre 1 or 2
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Your chance to shine and earn college credit (regardless of your major). Sign up before Sept. 5 on the 3rd floor of the Staller Center for an audition slot.
Scooping Out Success
SAC Lobby
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Been there, licked that! A great networking spot as you scoop out free ice cream with faculty and staff.
Thursday, September 6 Friends Art Exhibit Reception
SAC Art Gallery and Ballroom B
5:00 PM
The Louis Henry Morgan Institute of SUNYIT exhibition with the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation and Union College on the unintended consequences of drinking and driving.
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Outdoor Basketball Courts
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
A minimum of 3 participants per team. Register before 5:00 PM Sept. 5. Free to all students/faculty/staff.
Friday, September 7 Open Mic and Karaoke Night
Tabler Caf’eacute;
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday, September 8 Red Hot After Hours Bronx Zoo Trip
10:00 AM departure from the SAC Loop.
One of many such free and discounted trips to come. Get your ticket at the SAC Ticket Office.
4th Annual American Music Fest
In the Town of Port Jefferson. For details, visit www.portjeffmusicfestival.org.
Sunday, September 9 Six Flags Trip.
Bus leaves SAC Loop, 7:00 am.
Get your ticket at the SAC Ticket Office.
Monday, September 10 Texas Hold’em Tournament
SAC Auditorium
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Registration deadline for the 3rd Annual Tournament is Friday, Sept. 7 at 5:00 pm. Tournament limited to the first 96 participants. To register, please call 632-7168.
RHA Annual Block Party
SAC Plaza
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Join the Residence Hall Association (RHA) tradition for food, games and giveaways.
Student Media and SBU-TV Showcase Movie Night
SB Union Auditorium
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Samples of student video work, features that have aired on SBU-TV, and a feature film.
Tuesday, September 11 9/11 Memorial
Alumni Arch outside Humanities Building (Rain Location: SAC)
12:00 PM
Craft Night
SB Union Ballroom
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Take a break! Magnets, paint and your fingers at work.
Sunday, September 16 Tanger Outlet Trip.
Bus leaves SAC Plaza
10:00 AM
Wednesday, September 19 Involvement Fair
SAC Plaza
12:40 PM to 2:10 PM
Your chance to join the Statesman. And a lot of other clubs and organizations.
Fitness Jam
SAC Ballroom B
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
First come, first served as you join the ever-growing fitness and wellness classes.
Sunday, September 23 Baseball Game: NY Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Bus leaves SAC Loop at 11:00 AM.
Kayak Trips
Setauket Harbor Canoes and Kayaks
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
$25 per person/trip includes kayak rental and lunch. For beginner/ intermediate kayakers. Registration is limited to 16 people per trip. For more information, call 632-7120.
Monday, September 24 Dinner and a Movie
SAC Ballroom A
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Watch Ocean’s 13 and enjoy being catered at a demonstration from Campus Dining!
Tuesday, September 25 Do It In The Dark
Roth Quad
8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
This is a competition between residence halls to see which building can use the least amount of energy. Food and activities are just one part!
Wednesday, September 26 Fire Prevention Day
SAC Plaza
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
A Smoke House trailer, rides in a fire truck, and great giveaways on fire prevention.
Media Open House
Fireside Lounge, Stony Brook Union
12:40 PM to 2:10 PM
Visit the Student Media Open House tables and sign up to join a Student Media Club. Representatives from the Student Media Council, WUSB Radio DJ’s, SBU-TV producers, and various Stony Brook student newspaper journalists.
Thursday, September 27 50th Anniversary Celebrati
on
Campus Connection at H-Quad
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Activities and giveaways to celebrate SB’s 50th Anniversary.
Saturday, September 29 White Water Rafting
Bus leaves SAC Loop at 4:30 am.
Raft down the Lehigh River. Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 21, and is limited to the first 40 students. For details, call 632-4145. Fee: $20.
Sunday, September 30 Baseball Game: NY Mets vs. Florida Marlins.
Bus leaves SAC Loop at 11:00 am.
Sign up in SAC 218
