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Show Monday, Aug. 29, 2011 Page 4 AggieLif• Utah State Universit • Lo • an. Utah • www.a ietowns•uare.com Welcoming students back for a new school year BY RH ETT WILKINSON features senior writer With the almost endless amount of students moving in for the first time or returning to school after a busy summer, the ASUSU executive council plans an entire week of activities to bring in the new schoolyear. Zach Larsen, the ASUSU programming vice president, is in charge of planning events throughout the year. "Our options are pretty limitless," Larsen said. "It's just a matter of getting support from other clubs and organizations and getting together." Larsen and other ASUSU council members said they have indeed received such support, including feedback from returning students, and are pleased with what they have been able to coordinate for the Week of Welcome. The Las Vegas-themed week of events - which includes two concerts featuring Imagine Dragons and Rocket Summer - also welcomes back comedian Derek Hughes and stays with tradition by hosting a bingo night and a movie, two events which Larsen said have been major hits in past years. "It's difficult for me to say I am most excited about one show because the whole week is full of cool events," said Larsen. Larsen said the council members involved in the planning process, including Activities director Kellen Hansen and Public Relations director Hannah Blackburn, were aware of the importance of attracting students to the events, including the incoming freshman. For this reason the officers helped distribute a survey in April through Facebook, the university's website and by email to various school clubs and organizations asking returning students what they would like to see in this year's Week of Welcome. Larsen said that nearly 200 returning students responded, influencing the council's decision to bring back the bingo night, dedicate some hours to dishing Aggie Ice Cream on the Taggart Student Center patio, and to welcome the return of a comedian like Hughes who, Larsen said, entertained USU students at an event a few years ago. "We wanted to really decide what events would be best," Hansen said. "We've now had people to help us do that." New strategies applied to Wednesday's Day-on-the-Quad, an annual Week of Welcome event, have also provided an opportunity for more local businesses and school organizations to take part during the five hours of festivities, Larsen said. By restructuring the layout of the vendors, which will now feature a row of booths within the larger circumference of booths, has made it possible for 67 businesses and 137 clubs and organizations to have a presence at the event, compared to the 55 businesses and approximately 100 clubs and organizations last year, Larsen said. Blackburn said the challenges of planning the week and the thrill of witnessing students' reactions when they see what's on tap for the coming week are all part of an exciting endeavor. "I've loved interacting with all the other officers, vendors and sponsors," she said. "It's really opened my eyes to programming. Working with the ASUSU officers has added so much to knowing what is involved in getting these events and to do it in support of (the student body)." Blackburn said the executive council's teamwork, the assistance of faculty members and encouragement of the student body have all helped this year's Week of Welcome to come together. "I can't emphasize how much help I've gotten from everyone," she said. "It's not possible without a group effort. I can't thank enough." Week of Welcome Events Monday, Aug 29 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Blood Battle - TSC Lounges 11 a.m. - Gone LDSSA's Lunch for the Bunch - TSC Fountain Patio 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. - Imagine Dragons: Live in Concert - TSC Fountain Patio Tuesday, Aug 30 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Blood Battle - TSC Lounges 11 a.m. - Gone Walking Tacos - TSC Fountain Patio 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Special Olympics Basketball Game - TSC Fountain Patio 9 p.m. " Thor" - Old Main Hill Wednesday, Aug 31 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Blood Battle - TSC Lounges 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day on the Quad - rhett.wilkinson@aggiemail.usu. Quad edu 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Greek Recruitment Information - TSC Auditorium 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. RHA Barbecue South Campus Lawn 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Comedian Derek Hughes - TSC Ballroom Thursday, Sept 1 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Blood Battle - TSC Lounges 11 a.m. - Gone Aggie Ice Cream TSC Fountain Patio 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. High Stakes Bingo - TSC Ballroom Bring a can of food for SNAC and get an extra bingo card. Friday, Sept 2 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Blood Battle - TSC Lounges 12:30 p.m. - 1 pm. and 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Greek Recruitment Information - TSC Auditorium 9 p.m. - Midnight `80s Dance with DJ Marcus Wing - Quad Saturday, Sept 3 10 a.m. The HURD presents USU vs. Auburn - TSC Lounges 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. The Rocket Summer: Live in Concert - Corner of 700 North (Aggie Bull-evard) INCOMING FRESHMEN GATHER around the Block A during Connections Week. Many events are happening during the first week of school to welcome new and returning students back to campus. CARL R. WILSON photo Service with a smile: Getting involved on campus BY GENEVIEVE DRAPER staff writer With myriad clubs or activities to join as a new school year starts, the Val R. Christensen Service Center, located on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center, offers more than 20 different programs meeting a variety of needs and time commitments for those who want to add service to their schedule. "We have 22 different programs. We have something that will fit your interest. Come and ask and we can help you get started," said Carlos Murillo, a junior majoring in global communications. Murillo is also a program director for the center. This year Sheldon Browning stepped into the role of community service coordinator, who advises the center's leaders. He participated in the Service Center when he was an undergraduate. "The special thing about the Val R. Christensen Service Center is that there isn't just one standout or signature program but that there are many programs all of which standout in their own way and that are unique in their own way to Utah State," Browning said. Maddie Busteed is a junior majoring in international business and marketing, and is serving this year as Service vice president for the ASUSU executive council. Busteed said one of the unique things about USU's Service Center is, though there is an adviser for the program, the programs are entirely student run. "Whatever a student's dream is, we can make it happen," Busteed said. Busteed began working with the service center and various programs as a freshman, becoming involved with committees, until finally serving as a director and now Service vice president. She said this was a great way to get involved with leadership. "I really treasure leadership, but I think a huge part of leadership is service. You can't be a good leader without service," Busteed said, "and realizing the needs of others by the chances I get serving." Jordan Hunt, a junior majoring in liberal arts emphasizing in business and organizational communication, started the Student Nutrition Access Center as a freshman. After being acquainted with other university food pantries, he worked with the Service Center to start SNAC. Hunt said, "One thing that I think is imperative to know about the Service Center and USU leadership in general: USU more than any other school I have ever seen focuses on student leaders. We need students to change the face of this campus." The leadership opportunities are valuable, but Busteed and Murillo said the opportunities to serve have positively impacted her time at USU. "Volunteering in the service center really transforms what would otherwise be an average college experience to an extraordinary and very meaningful college experience," Browning said. Hunt said his university experience has been greatly impacted by his service. ► See SERVICE, Page 8 THE VAL R. CHRISTENSEN Service Center offers a variety of service programs for students. Depending on time commitments, the center can line any student up with the service opportunity best suited for him or her. KYLE PETT photo |