By Talia Charlton
Staff Writer
A new semester at LIU Post means a fresh start for all students, a sea of new faces, and a plethora of activities for students to participate in. Cold temperatures and snow fall graced the Post campus at the start of the spring semester, and this year incoming as well as returning students were welcomed back to campus with a snowstorm and class cancellations, as opposed to the Welcome Week students are so used to.
As a severe snowstorm swept the East Coast on Jan. 21, the first day of the spring semester, travel and other activities were interrupted due to inclement conditions. As poor weather conditions worsened, the university cancelled classes and activities, including all the Welcome Week activities.
“This year, because of weather, we had to postpone our Hot Chocolate Social, Dream Catcher Program, and hypnotist,” read an email sent by Malcolm McDaniel, secretary of the Association for Campus Programming (ACP).
Welcome Week during the spring semester is similar to Welcome Week during the fall semester. However, they differ in their attempts to bring students together during the winter months. The activities provided for students include winter related activities, some indoor, as well as outside in the snow, but each activity is fun in its own way. During the start of the fall semester, the weather is much warmer and students are occupied with various activities such as ice cream socials and outdoor activities such as a barbecue on Riggs lawn and carnival games and rides for students to enjoy. Spring Welcome Week does the same with fun winter related activities to keep students engaged with one another in the last few months before the summer break.
Activities, which were cancelled at the start of the spring semester, have recommenced in a timely fashion. To keep things running smoothly and as planned for all students, ACP combined their Hot Chocolate Social and Dream Catcher Program into one night of events. From 7–9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, students were given the opportunity to attend the Hot Chocolate Social, where students were able to participate in games, create personalized iPhone cases, and enjoy cups of hot chocolate.
Activities were then followed by a showing of “The Best Man Holiday” in the Gold Coast cinema, as part of ACP’s movie series.
“I do not dorm on campus, so I don’t know much about Welcome Week, but it sounds like a really fun time for students,” said Andria Lynn Osler, a Public Relations major. “I wish these events were advertised more so that I, as well as many others who may not live here on campus, could partake in such activities.”
ACP has more events planned for students as the weeks progress. Students can look forward to an off-campus trip to the outlets, where they can shop or simply browse the stores, as well as an ice skating trip for those looking to get off campus for a little winter time fun. “We are also looking for possible dates in February to reschedule the hypnotist,” read an email from ACP.
Although the winter cold and snow is brutal, tiring, and makes students want to retreat to their dorm rooms whenever possible, students are constantly provided with various opportunities to have fun and stay active in the warmth of student centers and residence halls. Welcome Week is one way to keep students active within the school community and to help keep spirits high during the blistering cold months ahead.
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