Winter Wow

Week of Welcome

January 6-15, 2024

Week of Welcome (WOW) is designed to celebrate the start of a new term, welcome the USA community back to campus, and connect students to the people, places, and groups that drive relationships and belonging at South. Whether it's the moment our new students set foot in the Mitchell Center to support our men's basketball team to programs hosted by Jaguar Productions, Get-on-Board Day, or MLK Day of Service we have designed a schedule full of academic and social events to highlight our exceptional campus community.

Our goal is to help you get connected and make sure your time at South is phenomenal. You will have the opportunity to meet students across a wide range of areas, learn about new organizations, and discover opportunities to connect with faculty in learning experiences ranging from the classroom to the Gulf of Mexico. We look forward to meeting you at one of these opening events. Welcome to South Alabama!

Students at Convocation

 

 

Week of Welcome

 

Things to do during Week of Welcome


January 6
Men's Basketball vs Georgia State
The Men's Basketball team will be hosting Georgia State with tipoff at 3pm. 
Mitchell Center
3 pm
 
 

January 8

Enrollment Services Help Tents
The Division of Enrollment Services will have various help tent locations set up to welcome and assist both new and returning students. New Jags can stop by the tent at the Mobile Townhouse on South Drive to pick up their New Student Welcome Pack and get information from staff and students regarding the first week of class, campus services, academic resources, and much more. In addition, any students who need help navigating campus can stop by the Mobile Townhouse or Meisler Hall for directions or guidance.

Mobile Townhouse and Meisler Hall Lawns
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

College of Engineering
The College of Engineering will be welcoming back its family with some sweet treats, music, and good vibes!
West entrance - Shelby Hall
8 am - 11 am

SGA Key Players Cookie Decorating Event
SGA Key Players and Executive Committee will hold a tabling event that will allow for students to meet their representatives on ideas that they want done on campus while enjoying decorating their own cookies!

Student Center Room 211
12 pm - 2 pm

 

Dessert with the leadership of the College of Allied Health
Dessert with the leadership of the College of Allied Health Professions and the College of Nursing

College of Allied Health Atrium (Lobby)
2 pm - 4 pm

Step by Step: Building a Stalking-Free Campus
In honor of Stalking Awareness Month, we will host a stalking awareness workshop. This workshop will help students identify current and potential stalkers, as well as learn about resources to help them should they ever become victims.

Student Center Rm 205
5 pm - 7 pm

Photos with SouthPaw and Miss Pawla + Meet the New AVP

Come out and take a free photo with the best mascots in the country, Southpaw and Miss Pawla, and meet our new Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Mike Wilkinson. There will be music, conversation, and a whole lot of fun. We hope you will join us!

Student Center Mall

11am - Noon


January 9

Transfer T-Shirt Swap
Week of Welcome Transfer T-Shirt Swap - Bring one old shirt from your previous institution and trade it for a new USA T-shirt!

Student Center Table Set Up by Food Court
8:30 am - 12 pm

Virtual Winter Welcome: Zoom at Noon with INGS Faculty, Staff & Students
Join your Department of Integrative Studies faculty and staff on Zoom at Noon. Stay warm in the comfort of your home or office and take a lunch break with us. Win prizes virtually! Ask questions about IST and OL programs. Meet faculty, staff and students.

Zoom: https://southalabama.zoom.us/j/97282979739
12 pm - 1 pm

The Mathematics of Mario
In our first Math Meetup of the spring semester, Dr. Clontz will share some mathematical ideas hidden in several Super Mario video games, including the game theory behind a Coin Block in Super Mario RPG, and the topology of Paper Mario and the Origami King's ring battles.

MSPB 360
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

 

There's Snow Place Like Home
Hey, Jags. Welcome back to your home away from home, and congratulations on a new semester! Jaguar Productions is kicking off the semester presenting its first annual Winter Wonderland: There's Snow Place Like Home! From a giant snow globe selfie station to a hot cocoa bar to customized beanies, come on out and bring in the spring semester with us at the "center of it all"-- our beloved Student Center! 
Student Center Amphitheater 
6 pm - 9 pm

 

 

January 10

Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice Open House
Political Science and Criminal Justice Open House with coffee and pastries. Students will have a chance to chat with available faculty. T-shirts will be provided for PSC and CJ majors who have not yet received one.

HUMB 226
9 am - 11 am

Get on Board Day
Student organization and job fair for USA students to find their place on campus. 
Student Center Ballroom
10 am - 2 pm

Dessert and Conversation with Deans and Faculty of the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport
Potential and current students in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport are invited to join the USA College of Education and Professional Studies leadership and faculty in the Health, Kinesiology, and Sport (HKS) Bldg. for an afternoon snack and a meet and greet with your college peers. This is a great opportunity to meet the Deans and faculty of HKS and take a tour of the building, classrooms, and labs. Incoming freshmen, rising sophomores, and current students are invited to participate.

Health, Kinesiology, and Sport (HKS) Bldg.
2 pm - 4 pm

 

Donut you love Pre-Health
The Pre-health team wants to meet you! Stop by our office and grab a donut.  Meet your pre-health advisors and ask any questions you have! We are located at the Academic Services Center, 111 Student Services Drive (beside the tennis courts). Can't wait to help you on your path!

Academic Success Center, 1410
2 pm - 4 pm

Goals and Hot Cocoa: Sip, Set, Go!
Join Academic Advising and Transfer Services and Career Services to set some goals for the new semester! Stop by to learn about setting SMART goals to get your semester started! Stop by anytime between 2-4 pm to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as you get to meet both offices and learn more about us!

Academic Services Center Room 1410
2 pm - 4 pm

Hot Chocolate and Hot Takes: Ask Earth Sciences and Biology Anything!
An open forum where students, particularly those in Geology, Geography, Meteorology, and Biology, can meet faculty and students to ask about advising, career options, tips for being successful, and/or anything else that would be helpful. All students are welcome and we will have hot chocolate and mix-ins available.

Life Science Lecture Hall Room 003
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

 

Game Night @ The Intramural Field House

Come enjoy our new game room at the Intramural Field House! We'll have board games, UNO tournament, table tennis tournament, Mario Kart tournament, and snacks. 

Intramural Field House
7 pm - 9 pm

 

 

January 11

Cocoa with Computing
The faculty and staff in the School of Computing will be serving hot chocolate in Shelby Hall. Stop by and enjoy a cup! 

Shelby Hall
9 am - 11:30 am

Winter ONEderland with One Stop
Stop by One Stop’s Winter ONEderland on January 11th between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. so we can welcome you back home to South for the Spring 2024 semester. Be one of the first 50 students to visit us in the Meisler Hall Atrium to claim your Jag Swag bag and take a quick pic in our selfie station! 

One Stop - Meisler Hall Atrium
9 am - Noon

Jaguar Clothes Closet Shopping Event
Stop by the Jaguar Clothes Closet Shopping Event to update your professional wardrobe and prepare for interviews, career fairs, and other events that require professional attire. Students will be able shop a selection of gently used professional apparel at no cost.

Academic Services Center
11 am - 1:30 pm

 

Jags Diamond Diner
Kick-off the Spring Semester with us at our Jags Diamond Diner where we will celebrate South's 60th Anniversary!  Students will be able to enjoy open conversations with Faculty and peers.  Those who are particularly interested in Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work will have the opportunity to learn about career options, advising and tips for being successful!  There will be food and prizes.  All students and Faculty are welcome.

Humanities Lobby North
12 pm - 2 pm

UTeach South Open House
Stop by to learn more about UTeach South, an exciting new program for STEM majors! Meet our faculty, chat with our current students, and enjoy some snacks as you discover ways to elevate your impact and inspire change in STEM with UTeach South. Ask our advisor about the program's flexible entry points and how you can explore STEM education while earning free college credit by enrolling in EDU 125. We look forward to seeing you!

Earth and Life Sciences Building (ELSB) Suite 25
12 pm - 3 pm

Dessert and Conversation with Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty of the College of Education and Professional Studies

You're invited! Join the USA College of Education and Professional Studies leadership team and faculty in the University Commons Building for an afternoon snack and a meet and greet with your college peers. This is a great opportunity to meet the Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty of your college and take a tour of the building and classrooms. Incoming freshmen, rising sophomores, and current students are invited to participate.

University Commons Building Lobby (UCOM 3600) 75 South University Blvd.
2 pm - 4 pm

 

Reading and Open Mic Hosted by The Ninth Muse
USA's new creative writing club invites everyone to hear our talented members read their work aloud. Free pizza will be provided, as well as opportunities for new students to share their work if interested! Connect with like-minded creative folks and get to know the USA English Department. 

Student Center 212
2 pm - 3 pm

Back to the 2000s
Hey USA! Let's bring it back to the 2000's and skate the night away! Please join Jaguar Productions as we welcome back our new and returning students to campus. Food, Skates, and glow accessories will be provided! Let's roll into the spring semester with a twist!
Student Recreation Center- Basketball Gym
7 pm - 10 pm
 

January 12

Welcome to SSoMES!
Swim over to the Education and Outreach Building to meet fellow School of Marine and Environmental Science Majors and/or Minors and SOMES faculty, consider joining your peers in the Marine Science Student Association, take a selfie with the Nancy M. boat, check out marine science equipment (drifters, side scan sonar, ROV), learn about SOMES scholarships, and find your classrooms for the spring semester. Join the fun for lunch - pizza, drinks, craft make and take, and SOMES swag will be provided!

EOB room 260
12 pm - 2 pm

WOW Study Abroad Fair
Want to travel the world and get college credit? Join the Study Abroad Office as we showcase our summer faculty-led programs! Through this type of study abroad program, students spend time (from ten days to two months) in a different country with fellow Jags and a USA professor. Students earn USA credit that will count toward their degree. It's not too late to sign up! Chat with study abroad advisors and study abroad alumni! Learn how you can apply for scholarships and use financial aid toward program costs! Refreshments will be served.

Student Center Terrace
12 pm - 2 pm

In My Wow Era!
Come hangout with Student Academic Success Services and create your own pennant! Show your school spirit or represent who you are through DIY felt pennants. We will have academic success resources, hot chocolate, and coffee! We have all the materials you need to create a keepsake of your time here at South! We want you to create a pennant that represents you as a South Alabama Jaguar. Academic Advising, Career Services, Center for Academic Excellence, and Second Year Experience will be there to offer resources to help you get through the second semester. We can't wait to see you in your Wow era this spring!

Center for Academic Excellence
2 pm - 4 pm

 

CEADR Movie Night
Bring your friends and join us for a night at the movies! We'll be showing an audio described version of E.T., and will be serving popcorn, refreshments, and hot chocolate. See you there!
ILC Classroom (CEADR 131)
2 pm - 5 pm

 

 


January 15

Day of Service
Documenting the Historic Africatown (Plateau) Cemetery with the USA Archaeology Museum

Africatown/Plateau Cemetery
10 am - 3 pm
Sign Up on South Serves

MLK Community March & Rally, Hosted by People United to Advance the Dream
Starting at Dearborn YMCA and ending at Cathedral Square. Transportation available, but must be reserved in advance.

Dearborn YMCA
12 pm - 2 pm
Sign up here!