Students and their families were invited to participate in Family Weekend on October 2-4, to become better acquainted with UCF. College Day Open House representatives provided information and answered questions for students and their families. Family Weekend, hosted by Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES), provided informative student services’ open houses and sessions, activities, and events. SDES events included: a Kick-Off with Accelerated Students, Family, & Friends, The Production, Late Knights, SDES Parent Breakfast, Brunch, and Recreation and Wellness Center’s Open Gym and other activities.
The Sophomore & Second Year Center held an event titled “SSYC Kick-Off with Accelerated Students, Family & Friends” to meet and greet, and get connected with center and other campus resources. An Accelerated First Time In College student reflected the appreciation of the support services provided: “With the individualized attention, e-mail reminders, telephone calls, and routine follow-up, it really helps me to stay focused, energized, and manage my time effectively, thank you SSYC,“ The event was in collaboration with Career Services, Student Financial Assistance, and Multicultural Academic & Support Services.
The Production, hosted by the Student Leadership Development Office, provided a venue to the African-American registered student organizations at UCF to showcase their skills and talents to family and friends during Family Weekend 2009. The Production was filled with entertainment from FACES Modeling Troupe, UCF Gospel Choir, African-American Student Union Dance Crew, University Christian Fellowship and UCF Theatre Performance Major students. The event provided a place for over 250 UCF African-American community members to assemble and get acquainted with each other. The Production was also sponsored by local restaurants: Lowe’s Good Eaton, Mama Nem’s and Oley’s Caribbean Dishes.
On Friday evening, the Late Knights “Outerspace” event attracted over 1,700 students and family members to enjoy food, entertainment, games and giveaways. The Student Union patio accommodated the inflatable activities while Knightcast DJs played music on the outside stage. Registered student organizations provided information for students to get involved at UCF. Inside the Union, attendees could make their own DVD Video with Pop Noggins, do surgery with Alien Autopsy, and create edible art with Sandy Candy. Arts and crafts gave students the opportunity to build their own rockets, door knockers, picture frames, or Halloween themed jars. Students and parents competed for prizes such as T-shirts in Game Show Mania. At midnight, food catered by Wackadoo’s was served to nearly 700.
On Saturday morning, students and families had the opportunity to enjoy a free breakfast and meet with various UCF administrators at the SDES Parent Breakfast.
LEAD Scholars and their families enjoyed brunch, prizes and a deeper understanding of the LEAD Scholars Program’s goals. “The brunch offered LEAD families the opportunity to meet other families and connect with each other while getting ready for the day’s football game,” said Sarah Maton, LEAD activities director. While keeping families entertained with a table top decorating contest and afternoon Bingo, the program tied in foundations of serving others through canned food donations for the Hope Foundation.
The Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) offered students and their families the opportunity to participate in an Open Workout. The free workouts were available for any student and family member 18 years or older. Students and family members were able to access the indoor facility. Parent and family members’ comments included: “this is such an amazing facility for students to take advantage of” and “I cannot wait to come back next fall and see the additional spaces that will be added.” [The RWC expansions include the Fitness space, lap pool, Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) Gym, racquetball court and an Outdoor Adventure Center.] On Saturday and Sunday, RWC’s Outdoor Adventure offered free boat rentals and games at Lake Claire.