Opening Week activities running from the start of the semester through the weekend will provide opportunities for students to make connections, enjoy entertainment and have fun while getting familiar with or re-acquainted with campus.
The first major activity will the popular annual Student Involvement Fair, running 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Marano Campus Center arena. Students can learn more about many of the more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, making connections while learning how joining a club can help them develop a network, make friends, pursue passions and enhance their skills development.
Later on Wednesday, the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB) will host Mexican-born, Texas-raised poet, actor and host Chibbi in a spoken word performance at 8 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center auditorium (Room 132). He is a two time San Antonio Poetry Slam Champion, and coached and performed with the 2017 PuroSlam team, winning 3rd place at the National Poetry Slam Group Piece Competition. Chibbi has self-published two books including the 2019 publication "OTRO/PATRIA," a journey through the intersections of iidentity. His work primarily deals with the exploration of identity and culture, his experiences as both queer and Latino, and fighting for the validity of existence.
The Sustainability Office will offer their Fall Thrift Sale, which offers bargains on gently used items, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 26 and 27, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in and outside 133 Marano Campus Center. Everything from clothes to rugs, kitchen utensils to mini refrigerators will be available for low prices. These pieces were donated by students moving off campus who didn't want to take the items with them, which keeps literally tons of items out of the waste stream.
SAPB will present mentalists known as The ESP Couple Larry and Raven at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, in Marano Campus Center auditorium. The couple specializes in psychological curiosities and arcane mental demonstrations. With more than 1,000 appearances in over 40 states and over a dozen countries, their performing experience ranges from cruise ship headliners to corporate brand ambassadors.
The Color Oswego Fun Run and Walk will return to campus at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, starting outside Glimmerglass Fitness Center. Online registration is open through 11 a.m. Thursday for this 1.5-mile journey through the west side of Oswego's campus, where volunteers toss colored powder on participants. Entry is limited to 300 participants, with free Color Oswego T-shirt and sunglasses the day of the event available on a first-come first-served basis. The event is sponsored by Campus Recreation, Fitness Center and the Dean of Students Office.
Saturday activities will include LakerFest, a start-of-year outdoor festival on Onondaga Field sponsored by Residence Life and Housing from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will feature live music, food trucks, games, a zipline, build a buddy and other make-and-take activities, a caricurist, henna tattoos and more.
In addition, a Beach Volleyball Tournament will offer friendly competition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the beach volleyball courts near Glimmerglass Fitness Center. Students interested in participating should register for an IMLeagues account via Campus Recreation, who sponsors the tournament.