UALR will kick off the fall semester next week with block parties, cook-outs, mixers, and student success workshops to welcome freshmen, greet on-campus residents and returning upperclassmen, and reconnect with alumni.

The Opening Week fun starts on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17 and 18, when students begin moving into UALR’s five residence halls. It continues with the Office of Campus Life’s Welcome Week and is capped off by the traditional campus picnic, Burgers @ Bailey, a free burger lunch for students to mix and mingle with faculty and staff and connect with alums who are putting their degrees to work.

Schedule of events:

Friday, Aug. 17

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Scholarship recipients move into residence halls
• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Dean’s Reception
• 5 to 7 p.m. – Welcome Back Kick Off, Donaghey Student Center (DSC) Diamond Café; Food, music, and free giveaways. Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Movie night, the 2006 comedy “Accepted,” College of Business atrium.

Saturday, Aug. 18

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – General move-in. Student Services Building offices, DSC, UALR Bookstore Health Services, and Disability Resources Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Empty Fridge? Stop by the Common’s Market and Fill Up Your Fridge. Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Trojan Grill opens.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – “Break The Ice” Ice Cream Social, DSC Diamond Café; Super Sweet Mixer with a variety of ice cream flavors. Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 9 p.m. to midnight – Block Party, Taylor Street between Commons and West Hall.

Sunday, Aug. 19

• 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Donaghey Student Center is open.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Brunch in the Diamond. Sodexo food service serves brunch in the Diamond Café.
• 1 to 3 p.m. – Get Motivated, motivation workshop sponsored by the dean of students; DSC Ledbetter Hall A, B, and C.
• 3 to 5 p.m. – Diversity Workshop featuring documentary, “Clowns;” DSC Ledbetter A, B, and C.

Monday, Aug. 20

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Academic Skills Workshop; DSC Ledbetter A, B, and C.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – What’s Your Flavor? “Lemonade Mixer; DSC Diamond Café; Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Bowling at Professor Bowl; Bring UALR ID, transportation provided; sponsored by Office of Housing.

Tuesday, Aug. 21

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Academic Skills Workshop continued; DSC Ledbetter Hall B, C, and D.
• 5 to 11 p.m. – Grand Slam cookout and kickball event to inaugurate new sports complex and the annual student food drive, Reach 13,000; bring non-perishable food item; Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex next to University Village. The Diamond Cafe will be closed; dinner will be served at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex.

Wednesday, Aug. 22

• 10 a.m. to noon – Freshmen Convocation, a ceremony to mark the students’ academic journey. Call Campus Life for more info, 569-3308; University Theatre.
• 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Menu of Honor, a menu created of dignitaries around campus; DSC Diamond Cafe; sponsored by Sodexo.
• 4 to 8 p.m. – “UALR Makes a Splash” at Wild River Country; transportation provided; bring UALR ID for free pass. RSVP here for location pick-up times. First shuttle departs at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23

• 8 a.m. – Fall semester classes begin.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Ice Cream with the Vice Chancellors. Join top administrators and staff of UALR’s Educational Student Services and Student Life Division for free ice cream and conversation; Campus Life Concourse, DSC.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Non-Traditional Student Program Open House. Meet other non-traditional students and find out about the support and resources this program offers; Campus Life Concourse, DSC.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Diversity Program Informational Table. Refreshments and friendly conversations with students and staff; Diamond area, DSC.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – UALR After Dark. Volunteers will be out across campus distributing Campus Life bags filled with UALR swag.
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Meet the Greeks. Members of UALR’s fraternities and sororities invite all new students to preview the UALR organizations and find out how to “go greek;” Ledbetter Hall, DSC.

Friday, Aug. 24

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Non-Traditional Student Program Open House. Meet other non-traditional students and find out about the support and resources this program offers; Campus Life Concourse, DSC.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Diversity Program Informational Table. Stop by for refreshments and friendly conversations with students and staff. Become a volunteer and get involved in the many activities ahead; Diamond area, DSC.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Catfish Friday; DSC Diamond Cafe; sponsored by Sodexo.

Monday, Aug. 27

• 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos Cool Ranch Promotion, Kicking off the new Cool Ranch Tacos; DSC Food Court; Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Campus Recreation Open House. Meet and visit with the staff of Campus Recreation and get more information about fitness/wellness classes, intramurals, and recreation of all kinds; Upper Concourse, DSC.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – UALR After Dark. Volunteers will be out across campus distributing Campus Life bags filled with UALR swag.
• 7 to 9 p.m. – University Program Council Social. Meet the current members of the University Program Council and find out more about how to become a member; Ledbetter Hall, DSC.

Tuesday, Aug. 28

• 5 to 7 p.m. – Cupcake Carnival, Cupcake decorating competition; DSC Diamond Cafe; Sponsored by Sodexo.
• 7 to 9 p.m. – The Norman Magic Experience. Starring national touring magician, Norman Ng. The show is a unique fusion of magic, comedy, and audience participation, and features astounding magic tricks and laugh-out-loud comedic situations; Ledbetter Hall, DSC.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Student Organizations Fair. Find out more and how to get involved in UALR’s 130 registered student organizations; Ledbetter Hall, DSC.
• 7 to 9 p.m., College Panhellenic Council Activity Night. The women of Kappa Delta and Chi Omega invite potential sisters to learn more about their organizations and CPC Recruitment; DSC Ledbetter Hall A and B.

Thursday, Aug. 30

• 11 a.m. – Burgers@Bailey, Chancellor Joel E. Anderson and the UALR Alumni Association invite the campus community to connect with alumni, faculty, staff, and students to kick off the 2012 fall semester at the annual cook-out; Bailey Alumni Center.

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Interfraternity Council Information Sessions and Rotations. Individuals interested in joining Kappa Sigma or Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternities are invited to attend this information session. An opportunity to meet with both chapters will follow; Leadership Lounge, DSC.

Friday, Aug. 31

• Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Sodexo’s Food Wars.  Find out more information about UALR’s dining services while challenging fellow students in eating competitions. One lucky student will win a Nook tablet; Diamond Café and mall.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Interfraternity Council Information Sessions and Rotations. Individuals interested in joining Kappa Sigma or Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternities are invited to attend this information session. An opportunity to meet with both chapters will follow; Leadership Lounge, DSC.