VCU news

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s incoming freshman class arrive on campus this weekend, moving into student dormitories as the university begins its annual “Welcome Week” schedule of activities.

VCU will enroll an estimated 31,600 students this fall. This year’s freshman class is expected to be approximately 3,575 students.

About 86 percent of VCU’s freshman class is from Virginia, including 36 percent from northern Virginia and approximately 23 percent from the Richmond metro area. Minority students represent 45 percent of the freshman class.

The university has 1,550 international students, representing more than 100 different countries, including particularly large contingents from Saudi Arabia, India and China. VCU will enroll about 2,100 transfer students, which includes about 1,300 students from the Virginia Community College System.

Welcome Week 2012 continues through Aug 26 and is loaded with activities to welcome new and returning students to campus and get everyone into the “Ram Spirit.”

Welcome Week offers educational sessions, social activities and entertainment at locations on both campuses.

New Student Convocation is a highlight of Welcome Week and takes place from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21. VCU President Michael Rao and other university leaders will address new students. Kristen Iversen, author of this year’s VCU University College Summer Reading Program book “Full Body Burden,” will serve as keynote speaker.

Following the New Student Convocation, members of the VCU Class of 2016 will pose for a class picture in the Siegel Center. And, after having the photo taken, new students will participate in the Ram Spirit Walk. The Peppas pep band will lead students from the Siegel Center to Monroe Park, where they will be welcomed to campus with a pep rally and a block party.

The Student Organization and Volunteer Opportunities (SOVO) Fair is another highlight of Welcome Week. The fair is an introduction to student life, with student organizations showcasing their groups and community agencies explaining opportunities to volunteer across Richmond.  The SOVO Fair takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, at the Siegel Center.

Students are encouraged to collect a raffle ticket at each Welcome Week event they attend.  Those who collect two tickets of each color (10 tickets total) will be entered into the grand prize drawing for a free semester of in-state tuition that both Virginia students and out-of-state students are eligible to win. The grand prize and other prizes will be awarded at the SOVO Fair.

A guide to all of the Welcome Week activities may be picked up at locations throughout both campuses or can be reviewed and downloaded here.