This week, students will have the opportunity to bond with others, connect with campus resources, learn about the different organizations and be involved in the UTRGV community.
The university invites students to a variety of events and activities today through Friday on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses during the Week of Welcome.
“It mimics or replicates the Best Week Ever that we have in the fall, but just to have the same kickoff feel for the semester in the spring,” said Abraham Villarreal, UTRGV Student Involvement student program adviser.
Week of Welcome started today with MLK Day of Service, an event that brings the UTRGV community together to commemorate the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by volunteering for local service projects hosted in the community. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.
Toss for Luck takes place the first week of class on the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses. Students toss coins into water fountains in the hope of good fortune, wealth, love, success, friendship and health.
Info Depots will be hosted from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday through both campuses for students who may need guidance in finding a location.
The Student Union and the University Recreation Center will host Campfire Bash, an event that hopes to prepare students for the spring semester. Music, games and free food will be provided. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday on the Chapel Lawn in Edinburg and Wednesday on the Student Union lawn in Brownsville.
Casino Night is the signature event of the week, where UTRGV students gather to play Texas Hold ’em, roulette, craps and blackjack to win prizes. Food will also be served. The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the University Ballroom in Edinburg and Thursday in El Gran Salón in Brownsville.
“For our Casino Night … we are expecting to have at least 500 students participate,” Villarreal said.
The Career Center will host Resume Rave, an event where students will have the opportunity to get their résumés reviewed by staff and a professional photo for their LinkedIn profile. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the University Ballroom in Edinburg and Thursday in Salón Cassia in Brownsville.
Engagement Zone Media Blitz is an event where students will be able to learn about opportunities to serve the community, the Engagement Zone application and how to sign up. Food and prizes will be available. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday on the Main Building lawn in Brownsville and Thursday on Lot E4 in Edinburg.
UTRGV Athletics is hosting Back to School Night with a tailgate party where food and entertainment will be provided from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday outside the Fieldhouse, followed by the men’s basketball match against Utah Valley University from 7 to 9 p.m. The first 200 UTRGV students to attend the tailgate will win a stadium cup. A Watch Party will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Casa Bella in Brownsville, where food and giveaways will be provided.
Next week, the Student Org Fair will be hosted to inform students about university clubs across campus from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 23 in the Ballroom in Edinburg and Jan. 24 in the Main Courtyard in Brownsville.
“It’s good that they have [Week of Welcome]. It’s a good opportunity to do other stuff [and to] get to know the staff and other students,” said Viridiana Garcia, a UTRGV social work graduate on the Edinburg campus who attended last year’s Week of Welcome events.
Other events include Hasta La Vista 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday in the Student Union in Edinburg and on the Student Union lawn in Brownsville, Stand Up Paddleboard Clinic from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 22 in the REK pool in Brownsville, Stalking Awareness from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23 in ESTAC 1.102 in Edinburg, and REC Fest from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 25 in the University Recreation Center in Edinburg.
To view the calendar of events, visit UTRGV Student Life on Facebook and Twitter, @utrgvsl.
