Welcome Week 2012 promises great sights, sounds and school spirit

By Eric Reikowski, staff writer

The Oakland University community will ring in an exciting new semester with another edition of the fun-filled extravaganza popularly known as Welcome Week.

Festivities will begin with a tailgate party outside the Campus Recreation Center at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3. At 7 p.m., the fun will move inside the O’rena for the men’s basketball game against conference rival Oral Roberts University. The first 250 fans will receive free OU basketball T-shirts.

Celebrations will pick up again from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, with a performance by Pan-Jazz and Ngoma, OU’s World Percussion Ensembles. Attendees can enjoy free tropical refreshments and giveaways while learning about upcoming events at this spirit-filled gathering in the Oakland Center Pioneer Food Court.

Additionally, a series of open houses featuring Oakland University’s Student Congress, Student Program Board, Student Video Productions, The Oakland Post, WXOU campus radio and Center for Student Activities will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, in the lower level of the Oakland Center. Refreshments and giveaways will be provided.

Golden Grizzlies are invited to celebrate the ‘80s from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Jan. 6, at an indoor “drive-in” featuring the beloved retro flicks “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Back to the Future.” Participants are welcome to bring their blankets, pillows and pajamas to the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms for an evening of activities including a costume contest, music, prizes, food and giveaways.

Welcome week will conclude on Saturday, Jan 7, with an action-packed doubleheader pitting the women’s basketball team against Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and then the men’s basketball team against Western Illinois University from 6-8 p.m. in the O’rena.

Welcome Week is planned by Oakland University’s Student Congress, Student Activities Funding Board, Student Program Board, Student Video Productions, The Oakland Post, WXOU campus radio and the Center for Student Activities. Additional sponsors include Oakland’s Athletics Department, “Focus on the Finish” Committee and the Grizz Gang.

For more information on Welcome Week at OU, view the flyer.