Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMinneapolis, MNPermit No. 155

Welcome Week, August 28 - September 2, 2013Welcome Week gives students who will live off-campus a chance to start the year with confidence! The program will provide the opportunity to practice your route to and from campus, and you will have a chance to connect with other students.

More than 10% of the Class of 2017 has chosen to live off-campus during their first year. Orientation & First-Year Programs and the Commuter Connection have created a commuter-friendly Welcome Week program to address your specific needs.

•You will be grouped by where you live and/or by college of enrollment to make it easy to connect for Welcome Week events.

•Meals are provided! You were able to select meal options when you completed the WW Event Selection online. Students living in off-campus apartments will dine in residential dining halls with residential students. Students commuting from home will conveniently dine in Coffman Memorial Union during Welcome Week.

•Driving to campus? Park for free in the East River Road Garage. Your Welcome Week Leader will have a parking coupon for you - valid at this location, only.

•Since few items are allowed into TCF Bank Stadium, store your belongings at the new University Recreation and Wellness Center (URWC) before Pride & Spirit on Wednesday, August 28 and before the football game on Thursday, August 29. Your items will be monitored by a Recreation and Wellness staff member and can be picked up after each event.

•Commuter students are encouraged to stay for the late-night activities (those starting past 10:00 p.m.), if you are available.

Check out the rest of this mailer for tips from the Commuter Connection on how to have a successful start to your first semester.

Orientation & First-Year Programs300 Washington Ave. SE315 Coffman Memorial UnionMinneapolis, MN 55455612-624-1979 - ofyp@umn.eduwww.ofyp.umn.edu www.welcomeweek.umn.edu

Commuter Connection204 Coffman Memorial Union612-624-5491 - commuter@umn.educommuterconnection@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

This mailing is sent to students who do not have an on-campus housing assignment as of August 15. If you have recently changed your housing accommodations and will be living on campus, please follow the information you receive from Housing & Residential Life instead of this mailer. The U of M defines a commuter as any student not living in University-owned residence halls or apartments. •Ifyouliveinanoff-campusapartmentwithin

walkingdistanceofcampus,youwillbegroupedtogethersoyoucanmakeconnectionswithotherstudentslivingnearyourapartment.

•Ifyouliveathome,youwillbegroupedwithotherstudentswhoareinyourcollegeofenrollmentsoyoucanmakeconnectionsandmeetclassmates.

welcomeweek.umn.edu

Tuesday, August 27Target Run

10:30 p.m. -12:30 a.m. SuperTarget in Rosevillle

The Target Run is a perfect opportunity for you to pick up last-minute items, meet new students, and have a good time! Buses will depart from campus residence halls or you can drive yourself - it’s the place to be!

Wednesday, August 28Welcome Week Check-In for Commuter Students 1:45 or 2:30 p.m. Coffman Memorial Union (CMU), Theater

• Get an overview of what to expect as a student commuting to the U of M during Welcome Week.

• Pick up your personalized Welcome Week schedule and free Class of 2017 T-shirt.

• Bring your U Card to Check-In.

• Visit ofyp.umn.edu/wwcheckin for more details.

Welcome Week Kickoff Meeting 4:00-5:30 p.m. Assigned Classroom

This meeting will introduce you to your Welcome Week Leaders and fellow classmates. You will review the WW schedule and learn where to meet your group each day. This is your chance to connect with other commuters on campus! You will receive your assigned classroom when you check in.

Commuter Picnic Dinner 5:30-6:45 p.m. Northrop Plaza

Join your WW small group for dinner, and meet members of the Commuter Connection. This event will allow you to socialize with other commuter students and sign up to win awesome prizes before attending Pride & Spirit.

Here are a few commuter-specific Welcome Week program highlights:

Stay Connected Once Classes Start!The Commuter Connection wants you to enjoy your first year at the University of Minnesota, and we know it can be challenging to balance your life at school with your life at home. Here are some suggestions for maximizing your time on campus, taking advantage of academic resources, and finding involvement opportunities to fit your schedule.

Mission StatementThe Commuter Connection student group strives to make commuter students’ college experience as successful and enjoyable as possible by giving them the opportunity to experience “college life” without living on-campus. The Commuter Connection offers a variety of events, programs, and resources to help commuters stay connected and feel at home. Located in 204 Coffman Memorial Union, the Commuter Connection features computers, lockers, a microwave, a refrigerator, and lounge space for students to relax and enjoy time between classes or while waiting for transportation. It is our hope that commuter students will connect with the University of Minnesota community through participation in Commuter Connection programs and events, as well as have their voice heard on campus through involvement in ongoing community issues.

• Stop by the Commuter Connection and meet people!

• Join or start a student group: sua.umn.edu/groups.

• Grab a snack at one of the campus convenience stores: Gopher Express, Gopher Express West or Gopher Spot! The Commuter Connection is a convenient place to store snacks for those days where you’re in a rush, they come in handy!

• Bring a lunch: You will save money, and there are microwaves in Coffman Memorial Union if you need to heat it up.

• Purchase a meal plan and Flexdine: Having a meal plan/Flexdine saves time and money! Get easy access to great food on campus available in Residential Restaurants, campus food courts, and coffee shops. dining.umn.edu

• Find convenient services available in Coffman Memorial Union, West Bank Skyway, and the St. Paul Student Center. sua.umn.edu/services

Friday, August 30 Free Bowling & Billiards for Commuters

6:00-8:00 p.m. Goldy’s Gameroom, CMU

Join the Commuter Connection in Goldy’s Gameroom for FREE billiards and bowling. We’ll be giving away prizes, including parking contracts, U-Passes, and more!

events after welcome week Student Activities FairsThe Activities Fairs showcase hundreds of student groups and involvement opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Stop by to find out how you can get involved with a student group that interests you!

Minneapolis (CMU-Front Plaza) Wednesday, September 11, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

St. Paul (SPSC-Front Terrace) Tuesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Commuter Connection Open HouseCoffman Memorial Union (Room 204) Saturday, October 19, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Come tour the Commuter Connection space available for your use. We’ll show you how to navigate The Gopher Way using tunnels and skyways that connect many buildings on campus. Come in for snacks and info!

Commuter Connection Presents:

To see a complete Welcome Week schedule visit: welcomeweek.umn.edu

Visit the Commuter Connection website to stay connected to the latest

information, to join the group, stay up-to-date with campus construction,

or to submit an event idea.

commuterconnection.umn.edu

• Use the gaps between classes! You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done, whether it’s used for cramming in a few more facts or completing some homework you received that day.

• Read the Undergrad Update: It’s a biweekly electronic newsletter just for undergraduates.

Tuesday, August 27Target Run

10:30 p.m. -12:30 a.m. SuperTarget in Rosevillle

The Target Run is a perfect opportunity for you to pick up last-minute items, meet new students, and have a good time! Buses will depart from campus residence halls or you can drive yourself - it’s the place to be!

Wednesday, August 28Welcome Week Check-In for Commuter Students 1:45 or 2:30 p.m. Coffman Memorial Union (CMU), Theater

• Get an overview of what to expect as a student commuting to the U of M during Welcome Week.

• PickupyourpersonalizedWelcomeWeekscheduleandfree Class of 2017 T-shirt.

• BringyourUCardtoCheck-In.

• Visit ofyp.umn.edu/wwcheckin for more details.

Welcome Week Kickoff Meeting 4:00-5:30 p.m. Assigned Classroom

This meeting will introduce you to your Welcome Week Leaders and fellow classmates. You will review the WW schedule and learn where to meet your group each day. This is your chance to connect with other commuters on campus! You will receive your assigned classroom when you check in.

Commuter Picnic Dinner 5:30-6:45 p.m. NorthropPlaza

Join your WW small group for dinner, and meet members of the CommuterConnection.Thiseventwillallowyoutosocializewith othercommuterstudentsandsignuptowinawesomeprizesbeforeattending Pride & Spirit.

Here are a few commuter-specific Welcome Week program highlights:

Stay Connected Once Classes Start!The Commuter Connection wants you to enjoy your first year at the University of Minnesota, and we know it can be challenging to balance your life at school with your life at home. Here are some suggestions for maximizing your time on campus, taking advantage of academic resources, and finding involvement opportunities to fit your schedule.

Mission StatementThe Commuter Connection student group strives to make commuter students’ college experience as successful and enjoyable as possible by giving them the opportunity to experience “college life” without living on-campus. The Commuter Connection offers a variety of events, programs, and resources to help commuters stay connected and feel at home. Located in 204 Coffman Memorial Union, the Commuter Connection features computers, lockers, a microwave, a refrigerator, and lounge space for students to relax and enjoy time between classes or while waiting for transportation. It is our hope that commuter students will connect with the University of Minnesota community through participation in Commuter Connection programs and events, as well as have their voice heard on campus through involvement in ongoing community issues.

• Stop by the Commuter Connection and meet people!

• Join or start a student group: sua.umn.edu/groups.

• Grab a snack at one of the campus convenience stores: Gopher Express, Gopher Express West or Gopher Spot! The Commuter Connection is a convenient place to store snacks for those days where you’re in a rush, they come in handy!

• Bring a lunch: You will save money, and there are microwaves in Coffman Memorial Union if you need to heat it up.

• Purchase a meal plan and Flexdine: Having a meal plan/Flexdine saves time and money! Get easy access to great food on campus available in Residential Restaurants, campus food courts, and coffee shops. dining.umn.edu

• Find convenient services available in Coffman Memorial Union, West Bank Skyway, and the St. Paul Student Center. sua.umn.edu/services

Friday, August 30 Free Bowling & Billiards for Commuters

6:00-8:00 p.m. Goldy’s Gameroom, CMU

Join the Commuter Connection in Goldy’s Gameroom for FREE billiardsandbowling.We’llbegivingawayprizes,includingparkingcontracts, U-Passes, and more!

events after welcome week Student Activities FairsThe Activities Fairs showcase hundreds of student groups and involvement opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Stop by to find out how you can get involved with a student group that interests you!

Minneapolis (CMU-Front Plaza) Wednesday, September 11, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

St. Paul (SPSC-Front Terrace) Tuesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Commuter Connection Open HouseCoffman Memorial Union (Room 204) Saturday, October 19, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Come tour the Commuter Connection space available for your use. We’ll show you how to navigate The Gopher Way using tunnels and skyways that connect many buildings on campus. Come in for snacks and info!

Commuter Connection Presents:

To see a complete Welcome Week schedule visit: welcomeweek.umn.edu

Visit the Commuter Connection website to stay connected to the latest

information, to join the group, stay up-to-date with campus construction,

or to submit an event idea.

commuterconnection.umn.edu

• Use the gaps between classes! You’llbeamazedathowmuch you can get done, whether it’s used for cramming in a few more facts or completing some homework you received that day.

• Read the Undergrad Update: It’sabiweeklyelectronicnewsletter just for undergraduates.

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMinneapolis, MNPermit No. 155

Welcome Week, August 28 - September 2, 2013Welcome Week gives students who will live off-campus a chance to start the year with confidence! The program will provide the opportunity to practice your route to and from campus, and you will have a chance to connect with other students.

More than 10% of the Class of 2017 has chosen to live off-campus during their first year. Orientation & First-Year Programs and the Commuter Connection have created a commuter-friendly Welcome Week program to address your specific needs.

• You will be grouped by where you live and/or by college of enrollment to make it easy to connect for Welcome Week events.

• Meals are provided! You were able to select meal options when you completed the WW Event Selection online. Students living in off-campus apartments will dine in residential dining halls with residential students. Students commuting from home will conveniently dine in Coffman Memorial Union during Welcome Week.

• Driving to campus? Park for free in the East River Road Garage. Your Welcome Week Leader will have a parking coupon for you - valid at this location, only.

• Since few items are allowed into TCF Bank Stadium, store your belongings at the new University Recreation and Wellness Center (URWC) before Pride & Spirit on Wednesday, August 28 and before the football game on Thursday, August 29. Your items will be monitored by a Recreation and Wellness staff member and can be picked up after each event.

• Commuter students are encouraged to stay for the late-night activities (those starting past 10:00 p.m.), if you are available.

Check out the rest of this mailer for tips from the Commuter Connection on how to have a successful start to your first semester.

Orientation & First-Year Programs300 Washington Ave. SE315 Coffman Memorial UnionMinneapolis, MN 55455612-624-1979 - ofyp@umn.eduwww.ofyp.umn.edu www.welcomeweek.umn.edu

Commuter Connection204 Coffman Memorial Union612-624-5491 - commuter@umn.educommuterconnection@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

This mailing is sent to students who do not have an on-campus housing assignment as of August 15. If you have recently changed your housing accommodations and will be living on campus, please follow the information you receive from Housing & Residential Life instead of this mailer. The U of M defines a commuter as any student not living in University-owned residence halls or apartments. • If you live in an off-campus apartment within

walking distance of campus, you will be grouped together so you can make connections with other students living near your apartment.

• If you live at home, you will be grouped with other students who are in your college of enrollment so you can make connections and meet classmates.

welcomeweek.umn.edu