Summer fun at O Week

Beach volleyball, mechanical surfboard-riding, and a pool party are just a sprinkling of the highlights that make up the summer fun theme of O Week’s Unidayz at Southern Cross University this year.

For the first time, all three campuses are adopting the same theme for O Week, which runs from February 18 to 22.

“O Week is the biggest university-wide event of the year, and there’s more activities than ever before,” O Week organiser Ann-Maree Wilkinson said.

Southern Cross University will be welcoming more than 2,000 commencing students across the Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Gold Coast campuses in semester 1, 2008.

Orientation Week is not only a great opportunity for students to become familiar with their campus, local facilities and classmates; it also is a time to learn essential study skills to help them through their all-important first semester.

Across all campuses, each School is running compulsory information sessions and Learning Assistance workshops to assist new students.

Lismore
In Lismore, O Week kicks off at with an official welcome by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Clark, to new students at 9am at the Whitebrook Theatre.

This will be followed with a Welcome to Kuntri at Bundjalung Square, and on Tuesday keynote speaker Associate Professor Peter Harrison from the School of Environment and Science Management will give a public talk at Whitebrook Theatre from 1 – 2pm.

Ms Wilkinson said this event, sponsored by the SCU Alumni Program, was a great chance for the community to come on campus and engage in University activities.

Sponsor Birch Carroll and Coyle has jumped on board with a free movie night at the Lismore cinema for Southern Cross University students on Tuesday, February 19. Students can pick up their free ticket to the Sci Fi action flick Jumper from the Student Services Info Stall. Free buses will run between the campus and the cinema that evening.

The O Week team will be located in the plaza to coordinate the activities, with events being organised by a team of student volunteers.

The new beach volleyball court will be given a workout for the first time, with a tournament on Thursday, February 21. Organisers are encouraging international students to participate and register teams.

The 2nd annual pool party will again be staged at Lismore Memorial Baths on Friday, February 22, from 3pm – 6pm. The alcohol free event proved a big hit last year.

Coffs Harbour
At Coffs Harbour, Dr Rosie Wickert, Head of Campus, will welcome students on Tuesday, February 19, in the D block lecture theatre.

Some of the O Week events include an Ice Breakers Party, a Trivia Night, a Carnival Day and a Recovery Day featuring beach cricket, all being organised by Coffs Harbour Student Association.

Tweed Gold Coast
Tweed Gold Coast Head of Campus Professor Bryan Rothwell will welcome students Under the Sails on Monday at 9am.

At Tweed Heads, a ‘coastRs’ carnival, organised by the Student Association, to be held on campus on Thursday, February 21, will feature spicy foods, sushi, mocktails, hip hop, capoeira and music.

Another drawcard for new students will be the campus tours and Tweed/Coolangatta tours.


Photo: Hannah Coulter, Merte Rist-Larsen and Michael Manley check out what's on offer in the SCU the Unidayz bag of goodies.