It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 20, 2010) – Holidays generally happen once a year and the biggest UK holiday begins today as students from across the country and around the world arrive in Lexington for the start of another year at the University of Kentucky. For nearly 5,000 students, Friday, Aug. 20, marks the beginning of their collegiate career at UK, either as an incoming freshman or as a transfer student. It also kicks off one of the most exciting times on campus – K Week.

K Week runs from Friday, Aug. 20, through Saturday, Aug. 28, and is a popular UK tradition – a week filled with more than 300 events and activities that help students get oriented with campus, get involved in student life and get connected to the city of Lexington. K Week is known as “the best way to get started at UK,” and it truly is a great opportunity to make new friends, explore all that UK has to offer and have a little fun. Oh, and if you love free stuff, then K Week is for you.

“I love K Week because it represents what I like to call a big blue family reunion,” Jasmine Whitlow, a senior from Louisville, said. “It gives you a chance to meet everyone on campus from administrators to coaches to upperclassmen. It's a great way to start off a good semester and for some a new journey. It's exciting and fun and something I look forward to each year.”

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Today, all new students are encouraged to move into their residence halls. UK's residence halls are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to help new students and their families get settled. Hundreds of UK volunteers are on hand to help unload cars, fill up carts and welcome new faces to campus.

"It's really quick and efficient," said Josh Nation, a mechanical engineering senior from Mount Vernon, Ky. "I was surprised at how quickly we got moved in with all the people helping us."

K Week officially begins Friday evening with residence hall floor meetings at 7 p.m., followed by the K Week Kick-off, where new students will meet their K Crew leaders and K Teams for the first time. K Teams are small groups of 10–15 students led by a veteran UK student, their K Crew leader. Meeting in these small groups quickly gives all students a chance to meet a few of their classmates and connects them to a returning student who can be a resource for them throughout the year.

While all incoming freshmen are assigned a K Team, transfer students are also encouraged to connect with their peers in special transfer K Teams. Transfer students who indicate interest will be assigned to a K Team comprised of other transfer students and, if possible, led by a K Crew member who was a transfer student themselves.

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Additionally, parents and families are welcome to join faculty, staff and administrators on Friday evening for the Parents and Families Reception at the Hilary J. Boone Center while new students attend the student-only events.

Saturday is full of sessions to answer everything you wanted to know about college, but have never asked, from how to navigate campus to keeping your car out of impound. At 4 p.m., the university community officially welcomes our newest Wildcats at the New Student Induction Ceremony.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, student-only activities begin, and so does all the fun. Highlighting Saturday night are two of K Week's most popular events, Big Blue U and Campus Ruckus. Big Blue U introduces new students to the Big Blue Nation. Students learn what it means to be a Wildcat by learning UK's cheers and songs and hearing from UK coaches and student-athletes. Students are then led onto the field at Commonwealth Stadium for an official class photo.

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Immediately following Big Blue U, the parking lot of Commonwealth Stadium is turned into a huge party known as Campus Ruckus.

"What I love most about K Week is Campus Ruckus," Kyle Kirk, a junior from Inez, Ky., said. "Not only is there a ton of stuff to do, like an inflatable obstacle course, riding a mechanical bull or a game of laser tag, there is also a ton of free food from restaurants from across Lexington. Also, all the student organizations are there with info on how to get involved. There's no other way to start off the first weekend at UK!"

The first weekend of K Week is full of fun that any Wildcat would not want to miss. Below is a list of key K Week events for Friday, Aug. 20–Sunday, Aug. 22. For a complete K Week schedule, click here. Also, be sure to check in with UKNow each day for the latest K Week news.

Friday, Aug. 20

Off-campus Freshmen Check-in

6–6:45 p.m.

106 White Hall Classroom Building

Freshmen not living in university housing must check in to receive a complete K Week schedule, their K Team assignment, information about K Week activities, and parking tips for the week.

Transfer Student Check-in

6–6:45 p.m.

110 White Hall Classroom Building

If you are a transfer student and are interested in being assigned to a Transfer K Team to participate in K Week events, you will need to check in with the K Week staff. Here you‘ll receive your K Team assignment, a complete K Week schedule, and information about K Week activities.

Mandatory Student Meetings

7–8 p.m.

Designated locations

If you live on campus in a university residence hall, please join your resident advisor (RA) for your first official floor meeting at 7 p.m. There you‘ll get to know your neighbors and start the school year off right. See your RA for additional information. If you live off campus, you will meet with members of the K Crew in White Hall Classroom Building. Freshmen will meet in room 106, and transfer students will meet in room 110.

Parent and Families Reception

7–9 p.m.

Hilary J. Boone Center

While students participate in the K Week Kick-off, the first social activity of K Week, parents and families are invited to meet and mingle with President and Mrs. Todd, UK administrators, faculty, and fellow UK parents. There will also be activities for younger siblings and family members

K Week Kick-off

8–10 p.m.

Johnson Center Fields

Students, this is your first don‘t-miss event. Tonight you will meet your K Team and K Crew leader. You‘ll be spending a lot of time with them during K Week. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know everyone. When you arrive at Johnson Center Fields just look for a sign with your K Team number (indicated on the nametag you received in your K Week packet at check-in). Your K Crew leader will be there waiting to meet you.

Saturday, Aug. 21

New Student Induction Ceremony

4–5 p.m.  

Memorial Coliseum

Students, family members, and guests are invited to join President Lee T. Todd Jr. and other members of the university community to commemorate the start of a new school year. All new students are expected to attend this annual university celebration where they will be officially inducted into the UK family. Parents, families, and guests are encouraged to attend.

K Team Meeting: K Week Overview

7 p.m.

Johnson Center Fields

All new students will attend a meeting to learn more about the fun activities planned during K Week. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions of returning students who are eager to show you the best way to get started at UK. After your meeting, your K Team will head over to Commonwealth Stadium for Big Blue U.

Big Blue U

Following K Team Meetings

Commonwealth Stadium

Join the Big Blue Nation with a march into Commonwealth Stadium. You‘ll learn UK cheers and songs, hear from UK coaches, and get your class photo taken on the football field. Be sure to wear UK blue to show your Wildcat pride. Go Cats!

Campus Ruckus

Following Big Blue U

Green Lot between BCTC and Commonwealth Stadium

Campus Ruckus is the perfect event to kick off the school year. Come join us after Big Blue U for great activities such as an artificial skating rink, numerous inflatables, a local band, and a fireworks show. There will be free food from local restaurants and free T-shirts. This event is a UK and Student Activities Board tradition.

Sunday, Aug. 22

K Team Meeting: Lunch with Your K Team

Noon–2 p.m.

Designated locations

All new students will meet with their K Teams for lunch. Check with your K Crew leader to find out where to meet. 

K Team Meeting: Where in the World Are My Classes?

7–8 p.m.  

Designated locations

All students will meet in their K Teams, and your K Crew leader will show you around campus and help you find your classes. Make sure you bring your class schedule with you. Plus, at the conclusion of your tour, score a free T-shirt before heading to the Student Center Spectacular with your K Team.

Student Center Spectacular

8 p.m.–Midnight

Student Center

A tradition to rival all others, Student Center Spectacular is the perfect way to spend your evening. Packed full of activities from caricature artists to glass etching to collecting all sorts of free stuff, this is the place to be. Don‘t miss the WRFL bands outside on the front lawn, getting your picture snapped at the Student Government photo booth, and the chance to have your mind blown by famed magician Michael Kent.