KU's Hawk Week features several events for students

New and returning Jayhawks at the University of Kansas will welcome the new school year with Hawk Week, seven days of activities and events Aug. 15 through Aug. 21. Classes begin Aug. 19.

More than 10,000 students participate in Hawk Week each year, said Shanda Hurla, project coordinator in KU's New Student Orientation office. Hawk Week helps students ease their transition to college life and begin their KU journey in the right direction.

"Hawk Week is important because it provides students with a way to get connected to KU and for them to find out what resources and opportunities are available," Hurla said. "Hawk Week teaches students not only where they can do research and park their cars but also KU traditions, like how to sing the KU fight song and the Rock Chalk chant."

Hawk Week, a 20-year-old tradition, evolved from an older, less educational tradition known as Country Club Week, said Kristin Trendel, director of New Student Orientation. By the 1980s, Country Club Week had evolved into a disorganized, unsanctioned circuit of parties during the week between the residence halls' opening and the beginning of classes.

Between Aug. 15 and 21, students may attend daily sessions on the libraries, sports venues, student employment, volunteer opportunities and how to find classes. At night, students are invited to the Student Alumni Association's ice cream social, Traditions Night, free movies, concerts and arts festivals.

A complete schedule of Hawk Week events is available at www.hawkweek.ku.edu. Highlights include:

Sunday, Aug. 15

• Residence and scholarship halls open, 8 a.m.

• Union Fest, 9 p.m. to midnight. Free food and drinks, games and giveaways for around 4,000 students and parents.

Monday, Aug. 16

• Ice cream social, 6:30 p.m., Adams Alumni Center. Free ice cream, giveaways, tours of the alumni center and history of the Student Alumni Association, Tradition Keepers and more.

• Traditions Night, 8 p.m., Memorial Stadium. One of the main events of the week, which allows students to explore KU traditions. The evening features the KU Marching Band, students, faculty, staff and the Lawrence community. New students learn how to "wave the wheat," as well as sing KU's alma mater and the Rock Chalk chant.

• Rock-A-Hawk, 10 p.m., Visitor Center parking lot. Sponsored by the Department of Student Housing, this event features live music, games and food.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

• Beach 'n' Boulevard featuring the Info Fair, 7 p.m., Wescoe Beach. Student Union Activities sponsors this annual party on the open area in front of Wescoe Hall. There will be sand on the "beach," carnival games, live music, comedy and food. At the Info Fair more than 400 student organizations and representatives will tell students how they can get involved.

• Hawk Link block party, 10 p.m. Wescoe Beach. Students can dance the night away and learn about Hawk Link, a multicultural retention program at KU.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

• Take Over the Beach, 1 to 4 p.m., Wescoe Beach. This Hawk Link event will give new students a chance to interact with student organizations, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Multicultural Resource Center and other departments, staff and students. Music, dance performances and prizes will be part of the event.

• Convocation, 8 to 9 p.m., Lied Center. Students, faculty and staff come together to mark the official beginning of the academic year. The ceremony features remarks by KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway, student body president Steve Munch and others.

Thursday, Aug. 19

• First day of classes.

• Downtown Hawks, 5 to 8 p.m., downtown Lawrence. More than 20 businesses will provide discounts for students who have their KU Card. A list of businesses is located at http://www.hawkweek.ku.edu. Free shuttle buses to downtown provided.

Friday, Aug. 20

• Lied Center art festival and concert, 6 to 8 p.m., Lied Center lawn. The spotlight is on the arts and Lawrence's sesquicentennial in this event, which begins in the Lied Center's garden courtyard. Students will learn about local arts groups and then gather on the lawn for the Sesquicentennial Celebration Concert by the Lawrence City Band.

• Movie on the Hill, 10 p.m., Campanile Hill. Students are encouraged to bring a blanket for the movie, "The Whole Ten Yards." Sponsored by Student Union Activities.

Saturday, Aug. 21

• Community Service Project, 10 a.m., Kansas Union. Volunteers will be bused to community organizations to spend the day working on service projects and learning about volunteer opportunities at KU. Lunch will be served. Sponsored by the Center for Community Outreach.

• Healthy Choices: Choose KU Recreation Services, 2 to 6 p.m., Student Recreation Fitness Center. Students may check out the recreation center and learn about KU sport clubs. Health Choices will help get students involved in aquatic, intramural, club, fitness/wellness and special event opportunities.