Welcome to the University of Connecticut, new Huskies! Fall semester of freshman year is one of the most exciting times in college students’ lives, with tons of new experiences abound. There’s no shortage of events both on and near campus, so here’s some recommendations from the Life section of some essential events to attend this semester.
Dan Stark, Life Editor:
No freshman’s fall semester would be complete without attending one of the many games played by UConn’s sports teams. There’s truly nothing like feeling the energy of Gampel Pavilion during a men’s or women’s basketball game while cheering in the student section.
Beyond basketball, the men’s and women’s soccer teams play their home games right around the corner from Gampel at Morrone Stadium. This intimate venue allows students to watch the Huskies duke it out on the pitch with a great view no matter where you’re sitting.
Beyond athletics, be sure to check out the fall semester involvement fair on Sept. 3 out on Fairfield Way, where many of UConn’s clubs and student organizations set up to recruit new members. This is a great opportunity to join clubs that fit your interests or find a new passion to unlock. Be sure to stop by The Daily Campus table to say hi!
Sam Brody, Associate Life Editor:
It’s not UConn without the basketball teams, and you haven’t lived the student experience to the fullest if you haven’t attended one. I personally prefer the women’s game, but both are incredible. The crowd always gets into it, and you get to participate in all the chants and name-calling that people start.
I also recommend checking out the Greek Expo – personally, I’ve never been, but that’s how many students get their first introduction to the world of Greek Life at UConn. If you’re interested in getting a spot in a sorority or fraternity, then that’s where I would start.
For something a lot more lowkey, I highly recommend checking out Late Night at the Student Union. Every Friday night, the Union serves wings and beckons students to try their hand at karaoke. I’ve been plenty of times, and while I’ve never given karaoke a try, there’s always something exciting going on.
Bonnibel Lilith Rampertab, Staff Writer:
Besides the obvious club fair on Fairfield Way this semester, I would recommend going to the concerts that WHUS radio, UConn’s student-run radio station, hosts that feature local bands and touring indie artists. This also extends to The Dog P0und, which is a local grassroots venue a walk away from campus that supports indie music.
The cultural centers also have a ton of programming. You don’t have to identify with the identities of the cultural centers hosting the event to go to them.
The Benton Museum of Art has events like “First Thursdays” of each month with therapy dogs and a DJ.
Beyond these, UConn has a helpful calendar with events you can go to if you have time to kill at events.uconn.edu. Be sure to check The Daily Digest to find upcoming events as well.
Ayyan Tamjeed, Staff Writer
Do you like watching movies? Do you like watching movies in a theater? Do you like watching movies in a theater for free? Then I suggest visiting the weekend film showings at the Student Union Theater.
All movies are completely free for UConn students and their guests. The SUBOG films committee puts on a variety of different movies each weekend from Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. Each weekend also has its own themes to accompany the films screened. It could be about certain franchises, like Deadpool or Sonic, genres like science fiction or comedy or specific directors like Jordan Peele or John Hughes — and these are just the film weekends from last year.
Additionally, there’s complimentary candy, popcorn and beverages before every screening if you’re feeling peckish (or if you want to bag some free food). So, if you’re down to watch some absolute cinema, come on down to the Student Union Theater!