The Office of Student Affairs at Rogers State University will welcome all students, both new and returning, back to campus this month with a week full of fun activities.
Coinciding with the start of the fall 2023 semester, Welcome Week begins Monday, Aug. 14, with daily events continuing through Friday, Aug. 18, on RSU’s campus in Claremore.
“Welcome Week gives our students the chance to get acclimated to the campus, to meet other people, to get out of their dorms or, for the commuter students, to get to know people outside the classroom setting,” said Student Activities Coordinator Katie Anderson.
Prior to the official launch of Welcome Week, the University will host a Welcome Back Party at Claremore Lake Saturday, Aug. 12. This event kicks off at noon and is open to students, faculty, staff and RSU alumni and will include free food, games and music. This event is co-organized by RSU Student Affairs and the RSU Alumni Association and is sponsored by BancFirst.
Welcome Week activities continue Monday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. with Bingo Night on the patio of the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center. Students can enjoy free snacks while playing Bingo and competing for prizes that include a television, a mini-fridge, vacuum, Keurig, air fryer, back-to-school supplies and more.
On Tuesday, Aug. 15, students are invited to cool off with complimentary snow cones, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., also on the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center patio, followed by one of the highest-attended events of the year: Big Tent Day.
Slated for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, Big Tent Day introduces students to Rogers State University and Claremore area groups and businesses, with campus departments showcasing degree options, student organizations, student employment opportunities and important resources.
“Big Tent Day is a huge resource opportunity for students, giving them the chance to get information about all the organizations we have on campus as well as local businesses and other community partners,” Anderson said. “It’s a very big week as far as involvement. There are 90 vendors planning to participate and it’s an excellent way for students to become aware of all the activities we have on campus, all the organizations we have – 45 in all – and all the resources available on campus.”
While Big Tent Day is open to all students, Anderson said the event is particularly helpful to new students.
“For new students, like freshman or transfer students, students who really don’t know RSU, who really don’t know the community or how to get involved, Big Tent Day is especially beneficial,” she said.
On Thursday, Aug. 17, the Hillcat Sand Volleyball Tournament will be held beginning at 6 p.m. in the University Village A (UVA) courtyard.
Welcome Week wraps up Friday, Aug. 18, with Play, Spin, Win, where students are encouraged to stop by the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center lobby between 10 am. and 2 p.m. to enjoy numerous games, such as pop-a-shot basketball, cornhole, Connect 4, and more.
“We’re thrilled for the students to be returning to the University and Welcome Week is our way of welcoming them back to the Hill, to let them all know that they’re appreciated and supported, to connect them with other people and groups on campus and to let them know the resources that they have available to them,” Anderson said.
Rogers State University is the only four-year residential university in the Tulsa metropolitan area serving northeastern Oklahoma.
Learn more information about Welcome Week or register for the Hillcat Sand Volleyball tournament.
