Incoming freshmen will have many activities to take part in this semester along with a few new fees to understand. Here is a list of a few events and important facts freshmen should be aware of this semester.
Union Fee Increase
Students passed the Union Fee last spring during Student Government elections. The fall semester will be the first time this fee is enforced.
The fee included in tuition is $10 for the fall and will escalate $10 each semester until it reaches $60. TOPS does not cover the fee.
Chancellor Mark Emmert said the Union Fee is a terrific and exciting opportunity for the University and its students to have an improved Union.
“It’s intended to accumulate enough resources that will allow a large scale, complete renovation and expansion of the Union,” he said.
Emmert said incoming freshmen will not see dramatic changes to the Union this year because not enough money exists to finance the project yet.
Academic Excellence Fee
The Board of Supervisors voted in the Academic Excellence Fee during its July meeting. The fee is $10 per credit hour with a maximum fee equalling $120 per semester.
Emmert said the fee is intended to provide resources for more faculty and to retain faculty while providing support for scholarships and assistantships.
“For entering freshmen what the Academic Excellence Fee means is there will be more course offerings, so they will have better access to classes,” he said. “It will allow us to keep class size small and it will allow us to bring new instructors and professors in critical areas of need.”
Fall Fest
Fall Fest is a large welcome back celebration for students, said Aaron LaRose, University Special Events student worker. The event is scheduled for Sept. 12 in the Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event features entertainment from the LSU Tiger Band, LSU cheerleaders and Greek step shows. Admission and food at the event is free.
LaRose said there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks for students to enjoy.
University departments also will be on hand to provide students with information on different programs.
Student Organization Fair
Michelle Lowery, Center for Student Leadership and Involvement assistant director, said the Student Organization Fair will be held Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Free Speech Alley. In the event of rain or unfinished construction in Free Speech Alley, the event will move to the Union Ballroom.
There will be 100 to 120 student organizations on hand to answer student questions about involvement in their organizations.
Lowery said governing organizations, special interest groups and political groups will be among the different organizations at the fair.
Among the organizations will be Student Government, Union Programming and Stripes.
Homecoming Festivities
Staci Pepitone, LSU Union assistant director, said the homecoming tradition is a great way for freshmen to come out and see what LSU tradition is all about,
For many of the events, games like the scavenger hunt and purple and gold games, teams are needed to compete.
Pepitone said all students can compete, not just ones belonging to a student organization.
The week-long celebration begins Oct. 26 and concludes with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King at the Nov. 1 LSU versus Louisiana Tech football game.
All festivities are free and open to all students.
LSU Football Bus Trip
The 2003 Student Government Bus Trip will be open to students interested in traveling to the Nov. 22 football game at Ole Miss. Student Government will announce the price of the trip and how to acquire tickets during the fall semester.