UNR welcomes back students for fall semester; classes begin Monday

By Natalie Savidge
RENO, Nev. – Nearly 2,300 students will move into the University of Nevada, Reno’s residence halls starting Thursday, Aug. 25 in preparation for Monday’s first day of classes for the 2011 fall semester.

The University of Nevada, Reno’s fall 2011 enrollment is anticipated to be in line with last fall’s enrollment, with perhaps a slight increase of a couple of percentage points. The University saw its largest enrollment ever in fall 2010, with 17,679 undergraduate and graduate students.

Residence hall assignments are up by 6 percent over fall 2010. To meet demand, rooms in Argenta Hall have been converted from doubles to triples, and former office space in Lincoln Hall has been converted to residence hall space.

Enrollment figures for fall 2011 will be finalized following the “add/drop” deadline in early September.

Several special events and programs are being held on campus surrounding the beginning of semester. For a list of event details, go to http://www.unr.edu/welcome.

Move-in day, Thursday, Aug. 25
8 a.m. briefing with volunteers
Briefing with the first group of student “Dorm Storm” volunteers will begin after breakfast in the DownUnder Café, on Artemisia Street. At the briefing, volunteer guidelines will be discussed and IDs will be distributed. The first group of volunteers is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. Student volunteers will be available for interviews.

10 a.m. residence hall check-in begins
Residence halls officially open and move-in day check-in begins, with fun themes such as Nye Hall’s “Lions and Tigers and Bears…Oh Nye!” With about 2,300 students moving into the residence halls, often accompanied by family and friends, it will be a bustling scene.

A vender fair in between Canada Hall and Nye Hall will include a variety of University-related clubs, organizations and venders.

For more information about Residential Life events, go to http://www.reslife.unr.edu/page.asp?p=events.

New Student Opening Ceremony, Friday, Aug. 26
10 a.m., Lawlor Events Center
The University will welcome what may be another record-setting freshman class during the 12th Annual Opening Ceremony. The procession begins at 9:45 a.m. The ceremony will continue the traditions of signing the alma mater and reciting the Nevada Oath during candlelight.

Professor Scott Mensing from the Department of Geography will deliver the keynote address. Mensing is a popular speaker who several times has highlighted the campus' "Best and Brightest" event for prospective students.

The ceremony also features remarks from President Marc Johnson, Provost Heather Hardy and Student Body President Casey Stiteler.

Wolf Pack Welcome, Friday, Aug. 26
The University’s kickoff events continue with a variety of events for students, parents, family and guests after the Opening Ceremony.

College Welcome Events
11 a.m. Students meet deans and faculty of each college.
Wolf Pack Welcome Barbecue
12:30 p.m., Joe Crowley Student Union Plaza
Family and guests are treated to a barbecue as the University welcomes all incoming students.
RHA Fall Carnival and Barbecue
4-7 p.m.
Beat the heat at the Residence Hall Association’s annual fall carnival and barbecue. Students can cool off with music, games and fun. A carnival-themed dinner will be served at the DownUnder Café starting at 5 p.m.
Leadership and Involvement Socials
9-11 p.m.
Each hall will be throwing an ice-cream social for residents to meet each other and learn about the many different ways students can get involved in the halls.

Welcome Week, Sunday, Aug. 28 – Sunday, Sept. 4
Welcome Week, an annual week-long production at the University of Nevada, Reno, is hosted by ASUN’s department of programming, Flipside Productions from Aug. 28 through Sept. 4. The events help welcome students to campus and encourage them to be involved with all of the opportunities it provides.

For a list of Welcome Week event details, go to http://www.nevadaasun.com/get-involved/events.html or http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140569822697244.

For additional University information, go to www.unr.edu. For directions and a campus map, go to www.unr.edu/tour.

— Writer Natalie Savidge is a Media Relations Specialist for University of Nevada, Reno. She can be reached at nsavidge@unr.edu.