ASU Prepares for Rambunctious Weekend

Angelo State University will kick off the 2014 fall semester with its annual Rambunctious Weekend Aug. 22-24 with a wide variety of activities designed to help new students make the transition to college life and to welcome back returning students.

Residence halls will begin receiving students at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, and move-in will continue throughout the weekend with assistance from ASU staff and community volunteers. Activities open with a free freshman welcome lunch for students and their families from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pavilion near the Plaza Verde residence hall on the east side of campus.

Other Friday activities include residence hall community gatherings at 4 p.m., Convocation at 5 p.m. in the Junell Center/Stevens Arena and a brisket dinner at 6 p.m. at the Pavilion. The dinner will include special opportunities and entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. hosted by the University Center Program Council (UCPC).

Friday activities will wrap up with the RAMazing Race at 9 p.m. at the Pavilion. Hosted by the Multicultural Center, the race will feature teams visiting locations around campus to look for clues to the next stop. Registration for the race, which is designed to help new and transfer students familiarize themselves with the campus, will begin at 8 p.m. at the Pavilion.

Activities on Saturday, Aug. 23, will begin with a Farewell Breakfast from 8 to 9 in the Food Service Center, a chance for families to say goodbye before students become involved with other activities scheduled for the weekend. Families can then attend a parent and family reception at 10:30 a.m. in the Plaza Verde Clubhouse to find out more about campus services available for their students. 

Students will be invited to their own introduction to campus services, called “Who Needs ‘Cliff Notes’ When You Have ‘Roscoe Notes’ to Succeed at ASU.” Scheduled from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena, the interactive session will include information on such topics as alcohol/drug education, Title IX guidelines, and disability services and accommodations.

At 10:30 a.m., University Recreation (UREC) Outdoor Adventures and Orientation Programs will host First-Year Quest, an outdoor activity specifically for new students that will begin at the Pavilion. Participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing – everything else will be a surprise.

At noon, Student Affairs will hold a Commuter Luncheon at the Plaza Verde Clubhouse to introduce students living off campus to each other, to opportunities for involvement, to the commuter meal plan and more. Also at noon, UREC will sponsor the annual flag football tournament on the Campus Green.

Saturday evening activities from 6 to 8 p.m. include a free Belong-B-Que pulled pork dinner hosted by the campus spiritual life organizations, a tailgate party featuring representatives of some of ASU’s 100-plus student groups and events sponsored by the UCPC, all at the Pavilion.

Beginning at 7 p.m., students can watch the Rams football team scrimmage at the new LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field, followed at 8:30 p.m. by a spirit rally hosted by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). The rally will feature student-athletes, the ASU Ram Band, the Angelettes dance team and ASU cheerleaders. At 9:30 p.m., Rambunctious Weekend will launch a new tradition by inviting freshmen to join in a Class of 2018 Photo.

Students can then head back to the Food Service Center for Blue and Gold Pancakes at 10 p.m. while enjoying UCPC entertainment and activities at the Pavilion.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, activities will begin with Angelo Serves, an opportunity for students to get involved in a variety of San Angelo community service projects sponsored by the CSI. Students will meet at the Pavilion at 11 a.m. for a free lunch and to register for a service activity that will conclude at 3 p.m. Participants are advised to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.

\The ASU Lake House will then host a welcome back picnic from 4 to 8 p.m. that will feature outdoor fun with water inflatables and kayaking and a community fair to learn more about activities and events in San Angelo. A campus shuttle will take students to and from the Lake House with pick-up and drop-off points near Plaza Verde and Centennial Village residence halls.

Throughout Rambunctious Weekend, the Ben Kelly Center for Human Performance will be open with exercise and sports-related options on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m.

For more information on Rambunctious Weekend, call the ASU Student Life Office at 325-942-2062 or go online to www.angelo.edu/rambunctious.