The University of Memphis’ Student Activities Council has organized two weeks of events to help ease students into the semester.
‘Winter Welcome Week’ will consist of various events, ranging from ice skating to movie nights, among other activities.
To prepare for this special week, the SAC Leadership Team brainstormed and proposed events, so they could create a fun and unique atmosphere for free.
Darika Scott, executive director for SAC, elaborated on the purpose behind it.
“The direct purpose of Winter Welcome Week is to welcome back returning students and welcome new students to campus by programming free and exciting social events to start the semester off,” Scott said.
Scott also explained the strategies SAC used to make these events as successful as possible.
“We decide days, times and locations when the campus has the most traffic to get more students to attend,” Scott said. “We have done this in the past, and it has been very successful. We use the same programming techniques we have always used.”
This week’s events will take place from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24.
There will be an Afternoon Arcade in the University Center Atrium from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 15, as well as a showing of “Incredibles 2” in the UC River Room the same day from 6 to 9 p.m.
Students can make snow globes at noon Jan. 16, and they can make stuffed tigers at noon Jan. 17, both in the UC Atrium.
There will be a showing of “Crazy Rich Asians” at 8 p.m. Jan 23 in the UC River Room as well.
In addition to the Winter Welcome Week, SAC will also collaborate with the Panhellenic, Non-Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils for SAC Night Crew, which will take place in the UC Bluff Room.
Non-Panhellenic Council (NPHC) president Jessika Williams shared the expectations of SAC as it pertains to these events.
“We are just simply looking forward to being able to be present at events and interacting more with other councils,” Williams said. “SAC always throws great events, so we are expecting this one to be at that same standard.”
Williams also explained the idea of a collaboration between SAC and NPHC going forward.
“NPHC has a great relationship with SAC,” Williams said. “One being because a lot of members in our council have previously served in SAC, and of course, we still love the organization.”
In the past, SAC and NPHC have organized skate nights and movie nights.
Williams said the door is wide open for the possibility of the two organizations working together.
“There is a lot of opportunity for collaborative efforts because our target audience and goals often are similar,” Williams said. “We are both here to increase student engagement and contribute to the livelihood of the campus.”
