Attention enrolling students: On Iowa!

I cannot contain my excitement for this year’s BRAND NEW On Iowa! Program for new first-year students.  I can’t contain the excitement, nor can I put that excitement into words… but I’ll try to give you a sneak peak at what you should expect.

You may be asking yourself, “What IS On Iowa!?”  Even if you’ve heard of it, you may still be questioning it. Don’t.  On Iowa! will be an “introduction” to remember.  An introduction to your academic career.  An introduction to faculty and staff.  An introduction to campus life.  An introduction to friendships you’ll maintain for a lifetime.  An introduction to Iowa City. An introduction to a University.  An introduction to your new home; The University of Iowa.

Let’s talk some highlights:

Move-in: Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 17th/18th): You’ll be moving into your residence hall. You’ll be getting settled with a floor of new faces which will turn to new friends.  This is your new home; a home you share with 40 of your friends. No parents? Awesome; let’s do this…

After moving in, you may pop down to a neighbor’s room to ask for tape to hang one of the few (or 20) posters you packed.  After tossing over some Scotch tape, your neighbor asks, “Hey, my roommate and I are headed to the UI Athletics Hall of Fame Tour, then headed to the dodgeball tournament.  Wanna join?”  Without hesitation you quote the movie Dodgeball saying, “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball. Stop down when you head out.”  You then return to hang your new poster:

 

Events like these continue throughout the next  few days leading up to the commencement of class. Athletics Hall of Fame not your thing? Don’t play dodgeball? Check out one of the other events like pottery painting, Museum of Art tour, movies or Zumba to name only a few.

Black and Gold Spirit Day – Day 1: (Friday, Aug. 19th) Put your game-face on; it’s time to learn why it’s GREAT to be a Hawkeye!  Your entire class will gather at Kinnick Stadium, but not only will you get to sit in the seats, but you’ll be able to take the field!  Here you’ll be addressed by a keynote speaker before learning a few of Iowa’s traditions.  The fun doesn’t stop there; as you leave Kinnick Stadium thinking your jaw couldn’t drop further, you head over to the Iowa Memorial Union’s Main Lounge to have your mind blown by magician Nate Staniforth. Don’t believe in magic? This will change your mind: Nate Staniforth Magician 2011

Iowa Challenge Day – Day 2: (Saturday, Aug. 20th) What can you expect from Iowa both in and out of the classroom.  You’ll get the opportunity to discuss this with your fellow classmates in both small and large groups.  Learn about the Iowa Challenge here: http://thechallenge.uiowa.edu/.  Then some downtime and a movie before hitting the DJ White Panda concert in Hubbard Park!

Convocation – Day 3: (Sunday, Aug 21st) You’re ready to start at Iowa?!  Not before hearing from President Sally Mason and one of your fellow classmates (apply to be THAT classmate here).  You’ll gather with the rest of the entering class of 2011 for Convocation.

01 Convocation_Panorama

Following the presentation, you, your friends, and the entire group will head to the President’s residence on Clinton Street for the President’s Block Party.

President's Block Party President's Block Party

The Real Deal -DAY 1 (of classes):  Wake up early for some bacon and eggs at the Marketplace, read the current issue of The Daily Iowan, and off to class.  Time to put all you’ve learned to work.

 

Again, these are only the highlights.  Check out the full schedule to start planning your days at: http://oniowa.uiowa.edu/schedules/