Florida State University kicked off the first week of classes with a medley of events ranging from a part-time job fair at the Student Union to a “Meme Party” at Suwannee Room as part of its “Welcome FSU” program.
Welcome FSU, described by the University as “a series of events and programs that serve as the official welcome for all Florida State students,” began on Monday, the first day of classes, and concluded on Friday with a midnight showing of “The Blues Brothers” at the Student Life Cinema.
New and returning students alike were greeted by FSU with a variety of events to choose from. Events were broken down into five categories: social, spirit, cultural, academics and well-being.
Social Events
SLC Movie: The Askew Student Life Center put on a midnight showing of the 1980 cult classic “The Blues Brothers.” The Student Life Cinema hosts movie showings all semester long. Students can be on the lookout for future announcements by following their official Instagram account.
Food deals: Those looking to grab a bite to eat were spoiled for choice with many on-campus restaurants offering deals throughout the week. Deals included 23% off orders at Argo Tea, $1 cold brews and Shake Your Coffee beverages at Shake Smart, a free cone or topping with any purchase at For the Love of Gelato and a limited-time mac and cheese bowl from Tally Mac Shack. Additional information regarding hours of operation, menus, employment opportunities and more can be found on Seminole Dining’s website.
Meme Party: On Wednesday night, the Suwannee Room threw a “Meme Party” in which students were invited to dress up as their favorite viral meme to win a grand prize. Daniel White, a freshman at FSU, was crowned champion for his take on the iconic DreamWorks Animation character Shrek.
“I am very happy that Seminole Dining does cool events like this because it gave me another opportunity to wear my Halloween costume which I put hours of work into,” White said about his victory.
Spirit Events
First Day Photos: Hosted by Orientation Leaders from FSU’s New Student & Family Programs, students posed for photos while enjoying complimentary Krispy Kreme donuts.
Involvement Fair: Every semester, FSU’s 750-plus Recognized Student Organizations have the opportunity to set up booths to talk face-to-face with students who may be interested in their organization. This year hundreds of students packed into the Student Union and learned about RSOs such as the Pride Student Union, Students for a Democratic Society and VEG FSU. Students looking for clubs and organizations to get involved with can check out Nole Central’s directory of Recognized Student Organizations.
Cultural Events
International Coffee Hour: A blend of culture and food, International Coffee Hour is a weekly event that allows FSU’s many international and multicultural organizations to share a part of their culture with fellow students. For FSU’s first Coffee Hour, The Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness served a sticky toffee pudding from the United Kingdom. International Coffee Hour is hosted on the first floor of The Globe every Friday from 5-6:30 p.m. Those interested in attending future Coffee Hours can stay up-to-date by following The Globe’s Instagram account.
Taco Tuesday: Vato Tacos offered $2 tacos, a live DJ and “the immaculate vibes of 1851.”
Academic Events
Drop/Add Registration Lab: The Registration Lab aided students with adjusting and finalizing their schedules.
Ask a Nole: Students fielded questions they had about navigating the campus and FSU as a whole.
Hot Tea & Cocoa To-Go @ Strozier/Dirac: Florida State Libraries distributed hot tea and hot cocoa to students Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Part-Time Job Fair: On Wednesday, representatives of public, private and nonprofit employers talked to students about part-time and seasonal job openings. Big Bend Hospice, Inc., Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Chick-Fil-A of Tallahassee and the City of Tallahassee: Parks & Recreation were among the 39 employers students had the opportunity to chat with. Those looking to bolster their resume or to find employment can take advantage of The Career Center at FSU.
Well-being Events
reCycle Bike Distribution: FSU’s reCycle Bike Distribution program allows students to rent bikes for the semester, a sustainable boon for students frustrated with parking on campus. Students can sign a rental agreement at anytime this semester for $64.50 plus tax.
Tie-Dye Into Your Goals: FSU’s Division of Student Affairs hosted a tie-dye event in which students dyed their shirts and created vision boards to visualize their goals for the semester.
Wind Down Friday: Welcome FSU concluded Friday with snacks and mocktails courtesy of Seminole Dining.
