FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University of Arkansas students will have a great number of activities to take part in as classes begin for the 2006 fall semester on Monday, Aug. 21. While some groups of students moved into residence halls last week, the majority of students living on campus will be moving in this week. The main move-in day is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, and a number of volunteers will be on hand to help students move into their new home away from home.

Students will be welcomed to the university with activities on campus, collectively known as “Welcome Week 2006, Hog W.I.L.D.” W.I.L.D. is an acronym for Welcome, Involvement, Leadership and Diversity.

“Welcome Week in the past has been an unrelated calendar of events from a variety of sources. This year a campus wide committee made of both academic and student affairs partners was convened to establish learning outcomes for Welcome Week and plan an official welcome week of activities to meet those outcomes,” said Shelia Burkhalter, director of First Year Experience Programs.

Welcome Week is designed to give students information about involvement opportunities on campus; provide them with opportunities to interact with fellow students, faculty and staff; help create connections to the campus community; and generally start the school year off right.

Academic Convocation is the official University of Arkansas welcome in which students are greeted by the university chancellor, academic deans, administrators, staff and faculty. It is the major academic event for incoming students and promotes academic success and educational attainment. Academic Convocation will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, in Bud Walton Arena. Following Academic Convocation at 5 p.m., Burger Bash officially welcomes all new and returning students back to school with food and entertainment at The Gardens, the new 6-acre park at the corner of Leroy Pond and Razorback Road, south of Bud Walton Arena.

Razorbash is another major event that welcomes students to campus and will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23.  Razorbash is held on the mall between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library. Students will find more than 120 booths operated by local businesses, UA departments and student organizations. This is an opportunity to see what campus organizations have to offer students, as well as connect with local merchants.

First Night is a group of programs to be held in each of the UA residence halls for new students living on campus, encouraging them to meet their new neighbors, faculty and staff, and just have a fun and relaxing time after moving and getting settled in their room for most of the day. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Aug. 17.

Midnight Madness Shopping Spree is a new event for Welcome Week this year. This event is designed to introduce new students to the UA Transit System as well as the Fayetteville community. Students will ride UA transit buses along their regular route to certain merchant areas, from Best Buy to the Walton Arts Center. Businesses have agreed to have giveaways and special sales for university students during this event, which will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 19.

Welcome Week schedule of events, and their sponsors:

Thursday, Aug. 17

First Night in the Residence Halls / 7 p.m. - Midnight / Residence Halls / Sponsored by University Housing

Friday, Aug. 18

Friday Night Live: Hog Wild / 9 p.m. — 1 a.m. / Arkansas Union / Sponsored by Friday Night Live

Saturday, Aug. 19

Pomfret Luau / 6p.m. Dinner; 7 p.m. - Midnight / Pomfret Great Room / Sponsored by University Housing

Midnight Madness Shopping Spree / 8 p.m. - Midnight / Locations around Fayetteville / Sponsored by First Year Experience

Sunday, Aug. 20

Academic Convocation & Burger Bash / 4 p.m. — 7 p.m. / Bud Walton Arena / Sponsored by First Year Experience

Bookstore Midday Madness / 12 p.m. — 5 p.m. / University Bookstore - Arkansas Union / Sponsored by the Bookstore

Monday, Aug. 21

Outdoor Movie: The DaVinci Code / 9 p.m. / Chi Omega Greek Theatre / Sponsored by University Programs

ASG Cookout / 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by Associated Student Government

R.E.A.L. Razorbacks Membership Drive / 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by the Alumni Association

Honors College BBQ / 4:30 p.m. / Fulbright Peace Fountain / Sponsored by the Honors College

Tuesday, Aug. 22

HYPE Night / 6 — 11 p.m. / HPER Building / Sponsored by Intramural/Recreational Sports

R.E.A.L. Razorbacks Membership Drive / 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by the Alumni Association

Wednesday, Aug. 23

Razorbash / 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by University Programs

Hula Hut / 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. / South of Fulbright Peace Fountain / Sponsored by the Pat Walker Health Center

Walton College of Business Block Party / 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. / Walton College Lawn / Sponsored by the Walton College of Business

Randy & Jason Sklar (Hosts of Cheap Seats on ESPN) / 7 p.m. / Arkansas Union Ballroom / Sponsored by University Programs

Thursday, Aug. 24

Freshman Pep Rally / 9 p.m. / Chi Omega Greek Theatre / Sponsored by University Programs

R.E.A.L. Razorbacks Membership Drive / 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by the Alumni Association

Friday, Aug. 25

Friday Night Live: Phat Friday / 9 p.m. — 1 a.m. / Arkansas Union / Sponsored by Friday Night Live

R.E.A.L. Razorbacks Membership Drive / 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. / Arkansas Union Mall / Sponsored by the Alumni Association

Saturday, Aug. 26

Welcome Back Picnic / 4 p.m. — 7 p.m. / Carlson Terrace Pavilion / Sponsored by the Multicultural Center