New and returning MSU students might find themselves climbing up a wall or pigging out on free food samples upon their return to the university before the start of the fall semester.
Officials at MSU’s University Activities Board, or UAB, have spent much of the summer securing sponsorships and planning activities for its 30th annual U-Fest, which is scheduled to be held from 7-11 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Union.
From climbing up the side of a rock wall to snagging prizes, students will have the opportunity to take part in the free activities and get a feel for campus once more or for the first time, said Stephanie Bierlein, assistant manager of the University Activities Office.
“U-Fest started as a Union open house — an opportunity to bring students into the Union and show them where we are and what we have to offer,” Bierlein said. “It has definitely grown into something much larger.”
Each year, UAB holds the event to welcome everyone back to MSU and have a good time at one of the campus’ most popular locations, Bierlein said.
This year, students can show off their “American Idol” skills with karaoke, strike out with unlimited bowling at Spartan Lanes and enter to win two season tickets for MSU football. A complete list of activities, prizes and sponsors can be found at uabevents.com/calendar.
Although times have changed since the first U-Fest, there have been a few obstacles in finding businesses to represent themselves on campus and participate in the free giveaways, Bierlein said.
“It has definitely become more difficult given the economic times that we are in,” she said. “We are very lucky — it’s kind of their way to have (a) presence on campus and be able to touch 7,000 new students that are coming to this area.”
Student mentors play a key role across the university in getting their residence halls involved and notifying them of campus events, said Paul Goldblatt, director of the MSU Department of Residence Life.
And conversations with those mentors show they have enjoyed the welcoming festivities, which can allow new students to feel more comfortable, Goldblatt said.
“It’s about becoming a part of the MSU community,” he said. “Students are a part of their floor and building community, but sometimes people forget about the university as a whole — it is all essential for incoming students.”
Any person, no matter what year, should take part in the university’s offerings at U-Fest and even consider taking a leading role with an event that might make an impact during their time as a student, said Erin Welsh, a psychology senior and UAB chairperson.
“It’s going to be a fun event and a chance to get out and meet other people,” Welsh said. “It’s about getting people out of the dorms and out of the houses and come out to campus.”
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