In this unique time of social distancing, The University of Texas at Dallas will welcome new and returning students back to campus with a virtual University Convocation message and online Weeks of Welcome activities designed to help students connect safely at the start of the semester.
The Convocation welcome message from UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson and Provost Inga Musselman will launch online at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, to mark the start of the academic journey for new students.
In his remarks, Benson, the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership, will highlight the University’s values of community, diversity and inclusion, while Musselman, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership, will explain the University’s traditions and the significance of academic regalia. A performance of the UT Dallas Alma Mater by the a cappella student organization Novis will follow.
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Students are encouraged to view the event on the Convocation webpage or on the University’s Facebook page. The video also will be available on UT Dallas’ YouTube channel.
Weeks of Welcome activities will include an online fitness jam, trivia contests, a virtual tailgate and sports chat, virtual tours of campus, an esports contest and a comedy show on Zoom and Microsoft Teams meeting apps. Students also will be able to vote online Aug. 26-28 for Student Government candidates.
“We made the decision to host all Weeks of Welcome events virtually this year to do our part in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and to follow University guidelines regarding fall events,” said Tineil Lewis, assistant director of the Student Organization Center. “We have planned dynamic events to help students engage and connect with one another and to show we are truly Comets united.”