The University Day Committee has made several changes to this year's University Day on Oct. 3, including a BMX Show and tours of campus, while eliminating the parade and large-scale concerts from past years.
"We are keeping some of the events from last year but adding more events that showcase servant leadership, what Seton Hall has to offer, as well as in the community,"Meghan Codey, assistant director of Special Events, said
According to Codey, last year's University Day had an attendance of approximately 3,000 people composed of students, families, staff and community members. She said she is hoping for attendance to match that, if not exceed that, this year.
Planning for University Day began in March, according to Codey. The planning usually began later in the spring but this year the University Day Committee wanted to plan while students were still on campus to get their input.
There are three students on the University Day committee, and the other members are comprised of administration and staff. Students who are not on the committee are also involved with the planning, according to Codey.
Online pre-registration for both University Day and Family Weekend events is available this year. These events include campus tours given by Admissions, a tour of the South Orange and Maplewood Art Gallery, a tour of WSOU, a tour of the Chapel and a Seton Hall University Gospel Choir Concert. Several events, including the WSOU tour, have already sold out.
The Free Cycle's BMX Big Air Show is new this year, featuring professionals who have competed in such events as the X-Games and Vans Triple Crown. There will be two shows at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., with questions and autographs following.
Associate Professor Lee Cabell will be giving the first lecture, "Taste of Tai-Chi," at noon where he will be teaching a traditional Chinese exercise to promote balance and body awareness.
The second lecture, "Pirate History 101: Discovering Your Seton Hall Alumni Ancestors and Recounting Your School Day Stories" will be at 2 p.m. Alan Delozier, university archivist and associate professor, will be running this workshop which will focus on ways to research ancestors by using University Archives.
WSOU's Street Patrol Live on the Green will feature performances again this year. Local bands Super Satellite, The One and Nines, The Jetsetters, and Scarecrow Collection will be performing.
"There is a tremendous amount of talented, intelligent students and staff and we are utilizing University Day to show that," Codey said.
Other new events include the Ultimate Frisbee Tournament against Columbia High School at 6:30 p.m. at Waterlands Field in downtown South Orange and a Can Castle Competition, which will collect cans for Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Some returning events for families and students include Theatre Council's annual Children's Show "Beauty and the Beast" in the Theatre-in-the-Round at 1p.m. and 3 p.m., as well as Pirate Land on the Green which will feature arts and crafts, inflatable rides and games.
However, noticeably missing from this year's lineup is the University Day Parade through South Orange.
Codey said that while the parade always had high student-involvement, logistically, they decided to put the parade on hold until next year.
The Committee will be working on improvements for the parade for next year. According to Codey, these may include a shorter or different route.
In addition to the parade, a large-scale concert also has not returned this year. Codey said that it was something the committee did consider. The logistics, availability, and financing were all discussed.
However, returning this year will be the Student Alumni Association's table on the Green to continue their "My Time" project, which was launched last year on University Day.
"On University Day, SAA gets in contact with most Alumni by actively going out and engaging them," Richard Allen said, president of SAA, in an online interview. "We will have members walking around on the green talking to the Alumni and encouraging them to visit our two locations. This year, we have a very exciting method of garnering attention from the community. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but you won't be able to miss our members on the Green."
Brittany Biesiada can be reached at brittany.biesiada@student.shu.edu.
