RAQUEL ALVARADO

If you want to keep summer going for just a little longer and can’t stop daydreaming about patio drinks or enjoying the heat, then have no fear — the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union Welcome Week is here for you!

The campus-wide party, presented by the USSU and SaskTel, begins at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 in the Bowl. The outdoor party continues until Friday evening, when the party will migrate across College Drive to Griffiths Stadium for the homecoming football game and tailgate party.

According to USSU vice president of student affairs Kehan Fu, the Bowl is the place to be during the first few days back at school. Students can expect live entertainment from DJs all day, which they can enjoy from the beloved beer gardens. There will also be tons of free swag to be found, such as the USSU Survival Calendar, a must-have for students due to the many coupons featured at the back.

A new addition to this year’s Welcome Week is a variety of food trucks. Students should look out for the naan bread-wrapped gourmet hot dogs at the Disco Dogs truck, such as the “Red Rooster,” which features scrambled eggs, bacon and maple syrup toppings.

The Pineapple Express truck lives up to its name with a menu featuring a variety of pineapple-based items — milkshakes, perogies, sausages and more. Students can also find Ace Burger, NOM NOM and, according to Fu, possibly a few more trucks parked in the administration loop.

SaskTel will also have a kiosk set up in the Bowl with various games, such as interactive pong, and opportunities to enter contests.

Welcome Week won’t be just about mindless fun, though. On Thursday afternoon in the Bowl, students can gain some practical knowledge by attending the Dorm Room Burn. A collaboration between the USSU and U of S residences, this event will feature a real-life burning of a simulated dorm room.

“It’s meant to showcase the importance of fire safety in residence,” Fu said. “It’s designed to show students just how fast things can happen.”

Thursday night will feature a traditional Carless Drive-In, with free popcorn and a screening of Jurassic Park in the Bowl. Students can bring along chairs or blankets if they wish, or sit on the grass.

Friday morning, students can look forward to the free pancake breakfast, also in the Bowl, between 8 and 10 a.m.

Then, the fun continues into the next week, when students should be on the lookout for a social media contest called Hike Bike ‘N Roll, which Fu thinks will promote active transport for students. There will also be free bike tune-ups and activities for students, all outside of the Thorvaldson Building.

Another major event is the House Party on Tuesday Sept. 8 at Louis’ Pub on campus. This time, the theme is a toga party and with multiple DJs performing both downstairs and upstairs at Louis’ Loft, it is sure to be a great time.

Encouraging student engagement on campus is important to Fu. He suggests that students check out the information booths of various campus groups and clubs, which will also be in the Bowl during Welcome Week.

“I want to increase the USSU social media presence, and rebuild the hype of Welcome Week,” Fu said. “Personally, I really think campus groups are the best way of reaching out to students.”

Besides being a ton of fun, Welcome Week is also meant to bring students together and give them a chance to meet different leaders on campus.

“Our biggest goal … is just getting across to other students that the USSU is the place for them to go when they have any issues,” Fu said. “They may not know the extent of our services, or the ins and outs of the things that we provide, but [they can] come to us first to raise any issues or concerns.”

For more information and to stay up to date, find USSU Welcome Week presented by SaskTel on Facebook.

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Image: Jeremy Britz/Graphics Editor