UTRGV Welcome Week Extends For More Than Two Weeks This Fall

This year’s Welcome Week will span about two and a half weeks and include events across both campuses.

Student Activities Program Coordinator Raul Leal said students can attend events such as student organization takeovers, fraternity and sorority kickbacks, game room parties and movie nights.

University Recreation will also host a Late Night at the Rec event Sept 10. in Edinburg.

Students can attend Movie Night at the Swamp at 8:30 p.m.Thursday on the Student Union lawn on the Brownsville campus and at the same time on Friday on Troxel lawn on the Edinburg campus. The event will feature a showing of “Shrek” as well as include trivia and prizes, such as ogre ears.

Leal said the events give students different ways to connect with the university.

“We want you to really get that college experience and to build a connection to what it truly means to be a Vaquero,” Leal said.

Student Activities will also offer a new opportunity this year with a trip to San Antonio for the UTRGV-UTSA football game.

Leal said the trip will include transport to and from the game, a game ticket and promotional items, including a shirt.

Center for Student Involvement (CSI) Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Organizations Program Coordinator Francisco Leal said about 70 organizations are expected to participate in the Campus Takeover events.

CSI will host Vaqueros Clubs Takeover events at noon Sept. 2 at various locations on the Edinburg campus and at the same time Sept. 9 at various locations on the Brownsville campus.

Francisco Leal said about 25 organizations have already signed up for the Edinburg event, while about 15 organizations have registered for the Brownsville event.

He added Vaqueros Clubs: Campus Takeover will give student organizations a chance to interact with students through activities, free food and other attractions.

“The takeover is our big showcase to show the students what the student organizations are all about,” Francisco Leal said.

The Get Involved Fairs will follow with a more traditional format. Organizations will provide information about their groups and upcoming meetings.

Francisco Leal said he encourages students to attend the events to meet new people and build connections on campus.

He said students who do not find an organization that interests them can also create their own through UTRGV’s new Vaqueros Clubs process.

“You can create your own organization from the ground up and build a lasting legacy here at the institution,” Francisco Leal said.

Campus Activities Board Adviser and Student Activities Program Coordinator Erin Ferrell said the department will also host The Stomp and a game room party during Welcome Week.

Ferrell said The Stomp will bring back attractions such as carousel and zip line, along with different artists, bands and businesses.

The Edinburg Stomp will move to a larger location in Parking Lot E16 near the Fieldhouse.

Ferrell said The Stomp typically attracts between 1,000 to 3,000 students, while movie nights usually attract between 50 to 300 students.