Western's 2009 Week of Welcome is your opportunity to get involved in campus activities and learn a little bit about your new home. Events are scheduled to familiarize you with new facilities, give you the chance to interact with other students, and have a lot of fun. So come out and experience Western at its best!

Please check back frequently this summer for updates to this calendar!

Friday, August 21

7am - 5pm                
Freshmen Move-In (Residence Halls)
Freshmen move into your residence halls, meet your roommate, and begin your new life as a Catamount!

11am - 4:30pm
Welcome Ice Cream Social for Families (Scott Hall)
Take a break during move-in for some refreshments with your family and the WCU staff!

5 - 6pm
Convocation (Ramsey Center)
The freshman class of 2009 will come together for your first experience with university academic life. This will be the first opportunity for many of you to meet the chancellor and members of the faculty.

7:30pm
Residence Hall Building/Floor Meetings
Please look for signs in your residence hall about the location of your meeting. The building meeting for Western PEAKS (Scott and Walker Halls) will be in the Ramsey Center. Plan to meet your Resident Assistant (RA) and walk over together. At the meeting you will have the opportunity to meet your building residence life staff, interact with people other students from your building/floor and receive valuable information to help with your entrance to the Western Carolina community. We can't wait to see you there!

9pm - 12am
RSA First Night (UC 3rd Floor)
Come join your fellow Catamounts at First Night! This evening event promises to be fun and exciting! Come play bingo to win prizes! Come get a temporary tattoo-- as well as several other fun venues—not to mention food! So bring yourself and your appetite over to the UC 3rd Floor at 9:00pm to check out this event designed with YOU in mind!

9 - 11:30am
Freshman Class Assembly
See your RA to find out what time you are to attend the Freshman Class Assembly. Featured speaker is Dr. Gary Sailes.

4:30 - 8:00pm
Valley Ballyhoo (UC Lawn)
This is WCU’s opening of the year party! Come out and enjoy live music, lawn toys/games, find out about opportunities for campus and community involvement, join a student organization, and have a great time!

Find Your Way Scavenger Hunt! (Wellness Center)
This scavenger hunt will send you all over campus looking for wellness treasures!  Pick up your scavenger hunt bag at the Campus Recreation Center’s table @ Valley BallyHoo to begin (goes thru August 31).  Follow the directions and you will be rewarded for your efforts! 

5pm
Tubing on the Tuck (Tuckasegee River)
Nothing beats hitting the river in tubes on a hot summer day.  We’ll head out at 5pm so you’ll have all day to finish moving in, go to classes, sleep, or whatever your day calls for and we’ll have you back in time to prepare for the next day’s classes.  Bring your shades and your sunscreen and be prepared to relax all your worries away.  There’s just enough moving water to get you wet and make for a fun trip.  Tubes, lifejackets, and transportation included. Cost: $7.00 for anyone!   

5 - 11pm
Cats Den Billiard Tournament (The Cats Den)
Come out and play FREE arcade games and participate in a pool tournament! Music and refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by The Cats Den and the Campus Recreation Center!  

7pm
The B.E.S.T. Experience (UC, Multipurpose Room)
Calling all Freshmen and Transfer students!!  Come meet the 2009-2010 Western’s Black Educational Support Team and learn how you can have the B.E.S.T. experience at WCU and at the annual Project C.A.R.E. Retreat!

4 - 7pm
Cat Fair- Student Activity/Organization Fair (UC Lawn)
Get involved in student and campus activities by joining a student organization.
See who has the same interests as you or expand your horizons and find something new.
Click here to register!     

Driver Safety Day!
Sponsored by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, this event will host a variety of hands-on demonstration units targeted at creating smarter and safer drivers.

9am - 6pm
Beyond-the-Wall Poster Sale (UC Lawn)
Will go through Friday, August 28. Rain site is UC 2nd floor atrium. 

4 - 6pm
WCU Student Employment Fair (Grand Room)
Need an on-campus job this year? Come by and see what opportunities are available!

5pm
Tubing on the Tuck (Tuckasegee River)
Nothing beats hitting the river in tubes on a hot summer day.  We’ll head out at 5pm so you’ll have all day to finish moving in, go to classes, sleep, or whatever your day calls for and we’ll have you back in time to prepare for the next day’s classes.  Bring your shades and your sunscreen and be prepared to relax all your worries away.  There’s just enough moving water to get you wet and make for a fun trip.  Tubes, lifejackets, and transportation included. Cost: $7.00 for anyone!   

2 - 4pm
Ice Cream Social / Band (UC Lawn)
Join staff and students on the UC lawn for FREE ice cream and FREE entertainment!

5:30-7pm
Group X Jam (Campus Recreation Center Gymnasium)
Kick off the fall semester with a Group Exercise class sampler.  Come dressed to workout and you will have the opportunity to try several different class formats.  You can win prizes, pick up your Group X Schedule and register for Group X at the Jam.  Cost: Free!

Residence Hall Building Wide Programs
Are you looking for fun and exciting ways to meet other people that live in your residence hall? Now here’s your chance. Each residence hall will be hosting a building wide activity today. Please look for signs in each of your residence halls for specific activities, times and locations. For additional information, please check with your Resident Director (RD) or Residence Assistant (RA). 

7:30pm
Free Comedy Show with James Sibley and Lav Luv (UC Lawn)

5 & 9pm 
Movie (UC Theater)  
Drinks, popcorn, and a movie for $2???  That's right!  Visit the theater in the UC for some inexpensive movie entertainment. 

August 28-29
Project C.A.R.E. Retreat (Black Mountain, NC)    
Announcing the annual Project C.A.R.E. (Committed to African-American Retention in Education) Retreat!  During the Project C.A.R.E. Retreat, you will meet your peer counselors and other entering freshmen, meet African-American faculty/staff, and develop friendships that will help you through your undergraduate years and beyond.  Join us for a weekend of learning, growing and FUN!

1pm
Ducks on the Tuckasegee
Base Camp Cullowhee and Dillsboro River Company have once again teamed up to offer this trip to kick off the year!  With the option of one and two man Duckies (small inflatable kayaks) you’ll be assisted by Base Camp Cullowhee guides down the Class I-II Tuckasegee River Gorge.  This is a great chance to experience the recreational opportunities that are right here in our own back yard. Cost: $15.00 for anyone!