McMaster welcomes new students with games, barbecues and concerts

Welcome Week has already started and organizers have been kept busy greeting over 4,000 new undergraduates.

Events, which officially began on Sunday, Sept. 3, continue throughout the week and are designed to introduce the students to the University and all its amenities, along with a good mix of fun.

Today students will get an opportunity to visit their respective Faculties. Later in the afternoon, watch for the Maroons Spirit event – the creation of a human centipede!

Tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. it's the Clubsfest and Carnavale located in the centre of campus. Brian Donst, Community Support/Development, says that the Carnavale is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of cultures and traditions which students will find at McMaster.

This event also features a dunk tank to raise money for Shinerama. University President Peter George and McMaster Students Union president Marc Marzotto have volunteered to be “dunkees” – and the entire McMaster community is welcome to take part.

For the first time in two years, the University's opening football game on Saturday will not be held on campus, but at Waterloo University. Buses depart at 11:30 a.m. for the trip to Waterloo – and victory! “We are expecting about 1,000 students to come and cheer on the Marauders,” Donst says.

On Saturday evening, students are invited to the Video Dance Party and Monte Carlo Fun Night at the Ivor Wynne Centre. In addition to the Much Music dance party, students can win door prizes and participate in fun gaming. Donst explains that this event is an attempt to provide an alternative to the traditional end of Welcome Week pubs.

Other activities planned for the week include barbecues, concerts and the annual pajama parade through Westdale.