UK’s Giving Spirit

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 23, 2010) – Being a Wildcat at the University of Kentucky is much more than just hitting the books, going to sporting events and generally bleeding blue. UK students have a dedication to giving back to the campus and the surrounding community through the philanthropic spirit that has taken hold of campus. K Week is the perfect time for students, new and old, to get involved in volunteering and exploring all that Lexington has to offer. 

[IMAGE1]

Today, UK FUSION (UK For Unity and Service In Our Neighborhoods) takes center stage as one of the premier philanthropy events in the state. More than 1,500 students, faculty and staff members will give over 5,000 hours of service to the Lexington community in a single day, making it the Commonwealth's largest single-day service project. Members of the University community work in small groups to complete projects at more than 100 sites across Fayette County. Students check in at 9:30 a.m. and then are bused to locations throughout Lexington. At 3 p.m., all the volunteers reunite to celebrate UK FUSION 2010.

“UK FUSION strives to strengthen the relationship between UK and the Lexington community,” UK FUSION Executive Director Mary Kate Field said, “giving students an opportunity to make a positive impact on the city. FUSION is a one-day service event allowing UK students, both incoming and current, to work in groups to meet needs of local non-profits and neighborhoods.”

FUSION is part of UK's Center for Community Outreach (CCO). The CCO a student-driven program that is intended to foster the development of leaders who make a difference in their communities. The mission of the CCO is to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote life-long community service.

FUSION continues to be a very popular event with students as it celebrates its eighth year anniversary in 2010. Ninety-four percent of students who participate in FUSION say they would participate again, and many of them do come back year after year. Since 2006, FUSION has grown 950 student participants to more than 1,500 anticipated this year.

“This is the eighth year for FUSION, establishing it as a true UK tradition,” Fields continued. “I am so proud of the impact we as UK students make, serving the community at over 100 sites throughout Lexington."

While FUSION continues to be a staple in K Week programming, this year, a few new events and concepts are making their debut. One of the most visible new components of K Week is the TallyCats program. TallyCats hopes to help encourage student involvement on campus. Students earn points for having their WildCard student ID cards swiped at various events on campus. The more points you have the better and bigger prizes you are eligible to win.

[IMAGE2]

TallyCats is the campus involvement program of the University of Kentucky and brings together several partners from across campus including Student Government, Student Activities Board, the Center for Student Involvement and the Division of Student Affairs, UK Athletics, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President.

“We are thrilled with the success of TallyCats’ first year,” Student Government President Ryan Smith said. “By introducing the program to new students during K Week, we hope that it not only encourages them to attend various K Week events, we also hope it shows students how much fun and how much you can learn on our campus if you go out and get involved.”

Prizes for attending K Week events will be handed out on Friday, Aug. 27, after the World’s Largest Water Balloon Fight. Visit www.tallycats.com for complete program details and a full calendar of events.

If you miss out on UK FUSION, there are other events during K Week (and after) that will help you connect to campus and the city of Lexington and help make UK feel like home. Here are just a few of today’s events; for the complete K Week schedule, visit www.uky.edu/KWeek.

UK FUSION (UK For Unity and Service In Our Neighborhoods)

9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Haggin Field

Be a part of one of the largest community service events in the state! Members of the University community will work in small groups to complete service projects in Fayette County. UK FUSION is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, make a difference in the community, and reaffirm UK‘s commitment to service. Sponsored by the Center for Community Outreach.

The Hubbub

4 – 6 p.m.

The Hub @ W.T.‘s, basement of Young Library

Stop by to enjoy free food, video games, prize drawings, games, giveaways, and much more. When else can you party in the library?! Sponsored by UK Libraries.

[IMAGE3]

Cleaner, Healthier, Cheaper, Faster: Why Bicycling Is the Best Way to Get around Campus (and How to Do It Safely)

5 – 5:50 p.m.

230 Student Center

Bicycling is the best way to navigate the University of Kentucky and surrounding community. It is cleaner, cheaper, healthier, and often faster than driving. If you are interested in biking on campus or in Lexington, this is the session for you! We will discuss safe cycling practices, campus/city bicycle policies, and campus bike services. We will conclude with a tour of the Wildcat Wheels Campus Bicycle Shop. This facility offers students the opportunity to learn basic and advanced bike maintenance skills and to work on their own bikes using professional tools. Following the workshop, there will be an optional bike tour of campus. Presented by Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library and UK Residence Life.

K Team Meeting: Dinner with Your K Team

6 – 8 p.m.

Designated locations

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

Meijer Mania

9 p.m. – Midnight

Buses will run continuously during the event and will pick up and drop off students at the flag plaza on Euclid Avenue across from Memorial Coliseum and at the corner of University Drive and Huguelet Drive.
Don‘t miss this fun opportunity to catch a bus with other UK students and enjoy a late-night shopping excursion to the Meijer store at Hamburg Pavilion. Stock up on laundry detergent, items for your residence hall room, soft drinks, snacks and anything else you might need to be at home on campus. You‘ll be able to buy all this and more while enjoying discounted shopping, free food, cool activities and prizes!

Interfraternity Council (IFC) Preview Night

8 p.m. - Midnight

Fraternity houses and recruitment locations – as designated by Recruitment Counselor

This is a continuation of Sunday Preview Night where potential new members will see the remainder of the chapters in their Recruitment Counselor-led groups. For more information, visit www.kentuckyifc.com. Sponsored by Interfraternity Council (IFC).