The Backpack

All About Spring Weekend 2013

Spring Weekend 2013

April 25-27, 2013

 

Spring Weekend 2013 celebrates three pillars that make up the spirit of UConn: learning, service, and care for the community. During Spring Weekend 2013 students will enjoy a broad range of events, engage in service to the UConn campus and community, and celebrate Husky pride.

 

Policies and Procedures

 

Spring Weekend 2013 is made possible by UConn students’ commitment to creating new, positive traditions while committing to the following parameters:

 

·        NO GUESTS (non-UCONN students) are allowed in the residence halls or dining halls during Spring Weekend (Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 27).   

o   UConn students can “swipe” other UConn students into the Dining Halls if both have UConn student ID’s.

·        Spring Weekend events are open ONLY to UConn students; students will be required to present their student IDs and Spring Weekend wrist bands in order to enter any Spring Weekend event.

·        Students, faculty, and staff are expected to respect and comply with all signs, barricades, and orders from UConn police and other security.

·        No alcohol is allowed at any event

·        Bags / backpacks may be checked at events

 

WRISTBAND DISTRIBUTION

 

Students can pick up their wrist bands at the following times and locations:

·        Wednesday, April 24th through Friday, April 26th in

o   SU 307 from 10:00am-8:00pm (extended till 9pm on Friday),

o   South Dining Hall from 4:30pm-7:00pm

o   Northwest Dining Hall from 4:30pm-7:00pm

·        Students must swipe their UConn ID in order to receive a wrist band.

 

 

Spring Weekend 2013 Calendar of Events

 

UConn Learns

Thursday, April 25

 

4:00pm-6:30pm

Fresh Check Lecture, SU Theater and Lobby

4:00pm-5:30pm Pre-Program Relaxation, SU Lobby

               Gong the Planet Vibrational Sound Massage

               Tails of Joy Therapy Dogs

5:30pm Feature Presentation, SU Theater

Jordan Burnham – “Life After the Fall”
Jordan survived a nine story fall/suicide attempt and he is here to tell you about it.

http://freshcheckday.com/

 

7:00pm-9:00pm Coffeehouse Showcase Featuring Micah, SU Ballroom

SUBOG

https://www.facebook.com/events/515374818526870/

 

9:00pm-11:00pm Outdoor Movie – Inception, SU Mall

SUBOG

Join us for a FREE outdoor showing of Inception, complete with movie snacks!

 

 

UConn Serves

Friday, April 26

 

11:30am-4:00pm Beautify UConn, SU Mall

Community Outreach

Beautify UConn is an on-campus service opportunity from 11:30-4 on 4/26. Sign up individually or as a group to help plant, clean up, mulch and more! Kick off starts at 11:30 at the Student Union Mall.  Service groups will reconvene at the mall from 3:30-4. Sign up individually or as a group. For more information, e-mail uconn.co.springweekend@gmail.com.

 

2:00pm-6:00pm Student Appreciation Day, Fairfield Way

Undergraduate Student Government (USG)

Student Appreciation Day is held to show that USG appreciates the student body for their help with making UConn a better place. Also, this event is an excellent time for students to meet and talk with their senators in a fun, easy going atmosphere packed with giveaways and free food!

 

2:00pm-6:00pm Kits for a Cause, Fairfield Way

Community Outreach

Stop by one of our 3 tables and create a kit for community members! Kits include:

Stuff-a-Husky: Huskies will be sent to children living in homeless shelters

Art Materials: Kits will be sent to after-school and children’s summer programs

Gardening Kit: Gardening kits will be sent to after-school and children’s summer programs

 

8:00pm-12:00am Food Truck Festival, Fairfield Way
SUBOG

Come on out to sample gourmet Food Trucks from all over New England. WHUS will be DJing, so come for the food and stay for the party!

 

8:00pm-12:00am Late Night Serves Up Fun, Student Union

Late Night

www.latenight.uconn.edu

 

9:00pm-11:30pm SUBOG Films – Inglorious Basterds, SU Theater

FREE

http://subog.uconn.edu/theatre.php

 

 

UConn Cares

Saturday, April 27

 

9:00am-6:00pm OOzeball, Above North Residence Halls

(Registration is closed, but come watch the muddy fun!)

Student Alumni Association

http://www.uconnalumni.com/oozeball

 

12:00pm-4:00pm Fresh Check Day, SU Mall

This event honors all college students who feel the strain of a new environment, living situations, pressures, and the world of college life. It’s our saying: we care how you’re doing. Come celebrate the UConn community with interactive exhibits and expo booths, raffle prizes, chair massages, free food, giveaways, and music!

Free

http://freshcheckday.com/

 

6:00pm-11:30pm WHUS & UCTV Spring Weekend Premiere, SU Mall

WHUS Radio and UCTV

The Spring Weekend Premiere is a combination showcase of UConn's most talented performers turning into a glow-in-the-dark dance party as the night moves on. With dancers, singers, DJs, giveaways, and activities, this show has something for everyone!

Free

 

8:00pm-12:00am Late Night Cares About You, Student Union

Late Night

www.latenight.uconn.edu

 

8:00pm-11:00pm SUBOG Films – Django Unchained, SU Theater

http://subog.uconn.edu/theatre.php

 

 

 

 

Published: April 22, 2013

News about PIRG

UConn to Discontinue Student Fee Charged to Support “UConnPIRG”

At the Board of Trustees meeting held on April 25, UConn’s Vice President for Student Affairs, John Saddlemire, told the board that the university would no longer charge students an annual fee to support UConnPIRG, an on-campus student group.

UConnPIRG is a local chapter of the national Public Interest Research Group, an activist organization.

Saddlemire told the board that for a period of years, UConnPIRG, which has been funded for through a $5 fee charged to UConn students as part of their fee bill, has not provided the university with all of the necessary documentation detailing how the funds allocated to them are being spent.

The university has a fiduciary responsibility under state law to ensure campus organizations that are funded by student fees are appropriately governing themselves and properly accounting for where the money allocated to them is going and the purpose it is being used for. 

“For a lengthy period of time, UConnPIRG has been unable to provide the university with all of the proper documentation regarding their expenditures, as is required of every similar student organization,” said Saddlemire. “In light of this, the university can no longer allow UConnPIRG to continue to be funded through student fees. The group is welcome to continue to exist as a campus organization, but must determine other avenues of funding.”

All fee funded groups have been audited on a regular basis since 2007.  Following a routine audit by UConn’s Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, the university found that UConnPIRG sends a substantial portion of their funds to the state and national PIRG organizations. UConnPIRG has not documented for the university how these funds are being used for the benefit of UConn students by those organizations and have not adequately responded to the university’s request that they do so, said Saddlemire.

Published: May 16, 2012

Welcome, New Students!

 
A Message from the staff in the Department of Student Activities:
 
Welcome to UCONN!  Now that you are here, we want you to know that college life is a lot better when you are doing things that are fun and rewarding in addition to your classes.
 
Here are some MYTHS about involvement...let's get these out of the way right now:

 

MYTH:  Don’t get involved your first semester.

Actually, balancing your academics with  employment and/or involvement can actually help you manage your time better. Being involved is a way to meet people and find out more about campus, which will make you a happier person!

 

MYTH:  There is nothing to do.

SO not true!  Look around you! There is always something to look forward to, be it arts, music, comedians, films, recreation, or athletic events. There are also over 500 organizations to join and tons of places to meet people, from the coffee cafes to Late Night at the Student Union.

 

MYTH:  There is nothing to do but drink.

Since this is college, a lot of people think that the social atmosphere is going to be all about the booze. It doesn’t have to be that way.  Whether you are interested in sports, art, music, comedy, theatre, cultural activities, or educational programs, you can find something to do that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. There is even a place where you can rent outdoor equipment and plan an adventure trip!

   
So explore our website (www.studentactivities.uconn.edu) to find out information about getting involved in clubs and organizations, outreach and service opportunities, leadership development, club sports, cheerleading and dance, and all kinds of programs, from comedians to concerts to late night activities in the Student Union. 
 
We've got a meebo chat on the front page of our website (www.studentactivities.uconn.edu), so if you have any questions, leave a message there and we'll get back to you!  And if you want to give us a call, our number is 860-486-6588.
Published: June 01, 2011

Club Sports Hosts Fun Run and Field Day

 

Club Sports Council is a student run organization on campus that is home to 41
teams who compete, lead and succeed. This year Club Sports is hosting its
7th Annual Fun Run 5K and adding a new tradition to the Club Sports
organization: Field Day. Both events are taking place Sunday May 1st. The
Run starts at 10am, and the Field day will be happening from the end of
the race until 4 on the field behind North Campus. Both events are a
chance for students to either 1) take a break from studying and get some
endorphins flowing for the rough week ahead or 2) procrastinate from the
studying they should be doing. Either way, everyone should be looking to
have a fun time just running around and playing games.

 

The Run is a 5K loop around campus and requires registration. You can sign
up the day of the event for $15, or you can pre-order your registrations
for only $10 for students. The first 100 participants get free shirts (a
college kids favorite thing.) Also all the money goes to Gaylord
Rehabilitation Center, so you’ll be running for a good cause.

The Field Day is a new experiment for the Club Sports Council. We want to
really unite all 41 teams into an entire organization so we are inviting
all participants and non- participants to come out and enjoy some fun
games and company. This event is FREE! (although no t-shirts here...)
Some games that we’ll be playing include: tug-of-war, balloon toss, relay
race, and a pie eating contest. Also teams will be selling food as
fundraisers at the event.  We want to unite all club sports and welcome
other people to come by and see what we are all about.

 

If you have any questions regarding the Fun Run or Field Day don’t
hesitate to stop by the Club Sports Office: room 309 in the Student Union,
or check out our website: www.clubsports.uconn.edu.

 

Respectfully submitted by Lily and John from Club Sports Council

Published: April 25, 2011

See the Film...Meet the Filmmaker!

SEE THE FILMS…

MEET THE FILMMAKERS!

 

 

What could be better for a film buff?  You get to see a film that hasn’t been widely released yet, hear from and chat with the filmmaker, eat good food and hang around with other students who are interested in film! 

 

Find out more information on Facebook by joining the “Independent Film Series” group or by visiting www.SUBOG.uconn.edu

 

We have two more events this semester:

 


Film:  Fog Warning
 Monday, April 18th

6 pm

Student Union Theatre

Two men capture what they believe to be a real vampire. Now time is running out. They need a confession from their captive before they end up in jail or in hell.

 

Fog Warning is a 2008 independent physiological thriller horror film, written and directed by Christopher Ward in New Haven, Connecticut.[

 

For more information on this film:

www.fogwarningthemovie.com

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1027812/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_Warning_(film)

 

 

Film: The Other Side Of The Tracks
Tuesday, April 19th

6 pm

Student Union Theatre
 
A young man struggles with his memories of the past.  The closer he gets to the truth the more the ghosts of his past come back to haunt him!

The Other Side of the Tracks (also known as The Haunting of Amelia) is a 2008 independent fantasy film written and directed by A. D. Calvo.  It was filmed in Wallingford, CT.

For more information on this film:

http://www.goodnightfilm.com/theothersideofthetracks/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1006929/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Side_of_the_Tracks

Published: April 02, 2011

WINTER WEEKEND IS HERE! "Ice Up Your Life"

Whether it’s ice, snow, or just the blustery wind, there is no doubt that things are pretty chilly around UConn.  However, it’s about to get a lot cooler.  In two weeks, SUBOG will be holding its annual Winter Weekend; a series of events meant to give students a ray of sunshine even in the throes of winter. 

 

This Winter Weekend marks the 32nd annual “One Ton Sundae.” On Friday, February 11th from 11 am to 2 pm on Fairfield Way, students will brave the cold and wait in line for the chance to create a scrumptious sundae of Gifford’s ice cream and a wide variety of toppings.  Now, as students wait for their turn at the sundae bar, they will have the chance to frolic inside a life-sized snow globe and enjoy the music of several of UConn’s A Cappella groups.  The cost is $1 and is first come, first serve. Already need a break from UConn?  Take a trip to Rentschler Field to watch the UConn men’s and women’s hockey teams in Hockey Fest, hosted by The CT Whale. SUBOG Sports Promotion committee has provided bus tickets to Rentschler for $5. 

 

If you are not feeling the chill, make your very own snuggle buddy with Stuff-a –Bear on Thursday, February 10th from 12 – 2 pm in the Student Union Lobby. Then gather up a batch of the ‘warm and fuzzies’ later that night with the SUBOG Comedy show.  Comedian Michael Ian Black will be gracing the halls of Jorgenson at 7pm. Black, known for his roles in “Ed”, “Stella”, and “Wedding Daze”, is sure to bring on the laughs with his sarcastic and entertaining humor.  For those of you looking for something a little more steamy, strike up a new flame with the second annual Speed Dating on Friday the 11th from 7 to 10 pm in the Student Union Ballroom.  If you already have a special someone, grab a hot chocolate and snuggle up in front of the big screen at the Student Union theatre.  “Love and Other Drugs” will be showing on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, $2 for students and $4 for non-students.  Or you can take them to the O.A.R. concert on Saturday, February 12th at 8 pm for a high-energy date and dance the night away to your favorite rock songs.

 

If love isn’t in the cards for you this semester, be sure to stop by the Anti-Valentine’s Day Celebration Monday February 14th from 5 – 7pm in the Student Union Lobby for commiseration and black roses.  Make Anti-Valentine’s Day cards, participate in Singles Awareness Day events or just munch on the treats offered, all of which are free!

 

Whatever you are looking for this weekend, SUBOG has it.  Winter Weekend is a great way to relieve some of the pressure from the semester, reunite with friends or meet some new ones.  Please check the SUBOG website at www.subog.uconn.edu for an updated list of all of the fun events happening as a part of Winter Weekend 2011: Ice Up Your Life. 

Published: February 07, 2011

Involvement and Diversity Go Hand in Hand

Welcome to the first student blog on the new and improved Student Activities web page! The Student Activites web page is THE resource for you to get involved here at the University of Connecticut.

 

My name is Wonchi Ju and I am a junior currently trying to declare my major as either International Relations (an individualized major) or International Business Management. I am originally from Simsbury, Connecticut and graduated from Simsbury High School. Here on campus I am a Resident Assistant in Buckley Hall, the freshmen honors living community, and I am involved with the Undergraduate Student Government.

 

The first thing I got involved with at UConn was student government. I had never run for a position in high school but always wanted to, and during the Involvement Fair I saw the USG table with information about elections and decided to give it a try. I was elected as Shippee Senator and have been involved ever since. I was elected as one of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity Senators for the 2010-2011 school year this past semester. Last year, I was the Vice-Chairperson of the Student Affairs Committee as well as the Chairperson of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity Subcommittee.

 

I also joined the Asian Mentoring Program my freshman year and realized that there are many fantastic things that occur on campus that many people are not aware of. I also found out that learning about and accepting diversity can be fun and celebratory. For example, Hillel (the center for Jewish Life) and the African American Cultural Center co-sponsored a Hanukah and Kwanzaa dinner.  The unusual combination of Jewish and African American cuisine was a great way for students to bond over food and share cultures.

 

This is a school that really works with and for students, so our voices and beliefs are heard and respected.  The many diverse cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and values come together to create the environment of this university. I recently learned that UConn is ranked in the top 100 gay friendly campuses in the United States.  I also believe that the education and programs put together by students, administration and faculty really perpetuate a sense of acceptance and celebration of differences. Through programs such as Straight From the Source (an event where top administration addresses student questions in a forum every month) or Safety Walk (where administration, UConn police, fire department, utilities and students walk around campus to determine the safety issues and status of this campus), this university proves its desire to work together as a community to address the issues we face. Students do have a voice and I encourage each one of you to use your own. Get involved and take an active role in the UConn community, and through involvement with other students, faculty and staff, you can also celebrate diversity.    

 

Submitted by Wonchi Ju

 

 

Published: December 13, 2010

A New Blog Coming Soon!

Check back for our first post.

Published: December 06, 2010