Wildcats Welcomed Back to Campus With K Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2011) – When the calendar pages flip over to August, UK’s campus reaches a fever-pitch as preparations for students’ return peak. Residence halls, used to host thousands of people who come to campus for various summer camps and families during Summer Advising Conferences, are cleaned and prepared a final time for students to move in. Flowers are planted and grass is mowed creating the beautiful look that is uniquely Kentucky. Every department on campus prepares in their own way to roll out the “big blue carpet” for returning Wildcats.

For nearly 5,000 students, Friday, Aug. 19, 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. 19, through Saturday, Aug. 27, and is a popular UK tradition – a week filled with more than 250 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 is a great opportunity to make new friends, explore all that UK has to offer, and have a little fun.

But not all new Wildcats are students. One notable new ‘Cat' is UK President Eli Capilouto. He and his wife, Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto, arrived on campus July 1, and are excited about the students’ return and welcoming them to their new Kentucky home.

“In a way, Mary Lynne and I are freshmen, too,” President Capilouto said. "We are filled with excitement about what we will encounter and discover. We are so proud now to call this place our home and participate in our first K Week.”

“I love K Week because it represents what I like to call a big blue family reunion,” Jasmine Whitlow, a 2011 graduate 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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All new students are encouraged to move into their residence halls on Friday, Aug. 19. UK's residence halls are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help new students and their families get settled in on campus. 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 who are 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.

Additionally, parents and families are welcomed 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 senior 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. 19 – Sunday, Aug. 21. For a complete K Week schedule, click here or visit the Campus Calendar for a comprehensive list of all that is happening at UK. Chat about K Week on Twitter using the hashtag #KWeek11. Also, be sure to visit UKNow for our special series “While YoU(K) Were Away,” for an inside look at how campus prepares for students to return each fall.

Friday, Aug. 19

Off-campus Freshmen Check-in

7:30 – 8 p.m.

Johnson Center Fields

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

7:30 – 8 p.m.

Johnson Center Fields

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 Adviser (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.

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 Capilouto, 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. 20

New Student Induction Ceremony

4 – 5 p.m.  

Memorial Coliseum

Students, family members and guests are invited to join President Eli Capilouto 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.

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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, music 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. 21

K Team Meeting: Lunch and Campus Tour

1 – 3 p.m.

Designated locations

All new students will meet with their K Teams for lunch and a campus tour to help you find your classes. Check with your K Crew leader to find out where to meet. Plus, at the conclusion of your tour you will receive a free K Week T-shirt!

UK Lex-Mart

3 – 5 p.m.

Botanical Gardens, walkway between Student Center and Patterson Office Tower

New to town? Don’t know where to ship? Or just want free stuff? Stop by UK Lex-Mart, our community business fair! Local stores, restaurants and other businesses will be on hand to welcome you to Lexington. Come check out what services they have to offer, enjoy some treats and stock up on coupons and giveaways.

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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 and the opportunity to make your own art in the Rasdall Gallery to dance lessons and competitions and an insane amount of free things to make and grab, this is the place to be. Don’t miss the WRFL bands outside on the front lawn, movies and comedians brought to you by the Cats Den and the Late Night Film Series and an explosion of action down in the Center for Student Involvement. Oh – and the UKPD set-up in the parking lot is a sight to see! Top off the night with the incredible Headphone Disco where two of the best DJs in the country spin while participants listen in – with special headphones just for the event.

Stay connected to your university! Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/universityofky, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/universityofky, check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/universityofkentucky and see campus via Flickr at www.flickr.com/universityofkentucky.

For more information about K Week, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KWeekatUK, follow K Week on Twitter at twitter.com/K_Week  and check out the YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/KWeekatUK.