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Faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend Fall Fest, Carolina's
alcohol-free welcome to new and returning students.
Aug. 15 is the date for this year's celebration, the second one the University
has held. Last year's event was rained out.
The party, which runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., will include free food and
entertainment.
All departments and organizations that work with students or offer student
services are invited to set up display tables,similar to those at the annual
Employee Appreciation Fair.
Don Luse, Student Union director and a festival organizer, said volunteers are
needed to help with jobs such as setting up tables, helping performers get on
and off stage, and emptying trash. Volunteers will be scheduled in three-hour
shifts between 3 p.m. Aug. 15 and 3 a.m. Aug. 16.
Food, games and more
South Road will be closed near the Frank Porter Graham Student Union for the
event.
A jam-packed schedule includes live music and step dancing; free food such as
pizza, ice cream, desserts and soft drinks; as well as a pep rally with
cheerleaders and the marching band to cheer on Tar Heel athletes and coaches.
Also scheduled are demonstrations by campus sports clubs, carnival games and
prize giveaways.
Administrators, faculty and staff will dip free ice cream, share information
and mingle with new and returning students, who start classes Aug. 18.
Fun without booze
Fall Fest emerged from recommendations made by the Chancellor's Task Force on
Substance Abuse, commissioned in 1996 after a fatal fraternity fire in which
alcohol contributed to the deaths.
Luse said Fall Fest is especially important for undergraduates new to
Carolina this fall.
"Research clearly shows that the quicker a student finds a niche for himself
or herself -- friends and activities to be involved in -- the better life is
for them," Luse said. "We've seen that an actively involved student is more
successful academically. We want our new students to feel welcome and part of
the University community. If you feel outside the community, then you're less
likely to succeed."
For more information on reserving a table or volunteering, contact Luse at
6-3120 or lused@email.unc.edu
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