{"id":64725,"date":"2025-01-03T09:04:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T14:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=64725"},"modified":"2025-01-09T07:37:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T12:37:43","slug":"a-warm-welcome-back-what-to-expect-during-utcs-winter-welcome-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/01\/a-warm-welcome-back-what-to-expect-during-utcs-winter-welcome-week\/","title":{"rendered":"A warm welcome back: What to expect during UTC\u2019s Winter Welcome Week\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It is once again time for new and returning students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to indulge in some fun.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter Welcome Week, held from Monday, Jan. 6, through Sunday, Jan. 12, will be a week of relaxing and exciting activities held by various departments and student organizations to help ease students into the spring semester.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura Petrus, UTC director of student and family engagement, explained the purpose behind Winter Welcome Week.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe spring Winter Welcome is a bit more low-key than fall. Fall is big, loud, in-your-face, with so much going on,\u201d Petrus said. \u201cSpring is almost like a tiptoe into the semester, and it\u2019s kind of that way intentionally because that\u2019s what students have asked for.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the opening events is <\/span>Night at the ARC<\/span> on Monday, Jan. 6, giving students a chance to explore UTC\u2019s recreation facilities, participate in fun activities and learn about stress-relief tips.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s a must-do,\u201d Petrus said. \u201cYou can get to know campus recreation, play around and understand what recreation resources are available, how you can relieve stress through physical activity and make friends along the way.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another \u201cmust-do,\u201d she said, is the <\/span>Cozy Carnival<\/span><\/b><\/a> on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Petrus described the carnival as a \u201cLupton Hall open house\u201d where students will be able to participate in a variety of activities \u2014such as creating their own pet rock\u2014within the different spaces in Lupton.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A new event, the <\/span>Campus Job Fair<\/span><\/b><\/a> hosted by Housing and Residence Life, will highlight different employment opportunities on campus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another new event is the <\/span>Hot Cocoa and Cider Bar<\/span>, a collaboration with the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association (GSA). The event is for graduate students to connect with fellow students and learn more about the GSA\u2014and for current undergraduate students interested in connecting and learning more about graduate school.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our goals for Winter Welcome is to really tap into populations of students that may not see themselves in traditional programs,\u201d Petrus said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been wanting to collaborate with the Graduate School for many years and we\u2019re so excited to make it happen this year.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Petrus also highlighted the <\/span>Clarence T. Jones Observatory Open House: MOCs Under the Stars<\/span><\/b><\/a> as a unique way to close out the week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a fun way to get students off campus and to this beautiful observatory,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a really fun experience\u2014something different for our students to tap into.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other events throughout the week include creative activities like painting, movie nights and opportunities for students to explore resources and student organizations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhether you\u2019re new or returning, it really provides a unique opportunity to both explore and tap into specific areas,\u201d Petrus said. \u201cIt helps new students get different tastes of campus life, but it also helps returning students really target their involvement.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Events and activities taking place during the week include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Monday, Jan. 6<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n