SOUTHEAST PLANS BIG WELCOME FOR STUDENTS

The Next Step program, part of Southeast Missouri State University's "welcome back" program for students, has devised a schedule of over 15 entertainment events open to all Southeast students. The events, which include numerous ice-breaking activities and large quantities of chocolate, ice cream, and barbecue, begin today and continue until classes start on Monday.

The barrage of activity begins at 4:30 p.m. today with a Beach Fest and ChocoFrenzy. The "frenzy" will be held outside the Towers Complex on the Southeast campus and, according to the organizers, will include a barbecue dinner, games, volleyball, and "all the chocolate you can possibly eat!"

Friday morning is slated for informational and lecture sessions with members of the Southeast faculty. At 7 p.m., however, the Great Ice Cream Pig Out, one of the most popular back-to-school events, will be held in the Student Recreation Center on the Southeast campus. The Great Ice Cream Pig Out offers students and faculty a chance to mingle and, as the event's name implies, "pig out" on several different types of ice cream.

"Just about everybody who hears about it, including the faculty, comes to the Ice Cream Pig Out," said Rob Pool, a student in the Southeast Student Affairs office. "It's been a tradition since I was a freshman."

Pool estimated that "at least a couple thousand" students attend the event.

Immediately following the Pig Out is another event called the Comedy Olympix -- in which two teams of comedians compete against each other for laughs. Organizers said that the Olympix, which are also held in the Student Recreation Center, are "played like a sport, but as funny as Full House and Seinfeld." Both the Pig Out and the Comedy Olympix are sponsored by the Student Activities Council.

Saturday, students have several recreational options. Student spelunkers can join a group of cave explorers who will leave from Rhodes 101 at 9 a.m. The group, led by Southeast faculty members, will explore caves in Perry County. Interested students should sign up by Friday because of limited space in the group.

Also beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday is a Four-on-Four Sand Volleyball Tournament at the Towers Sand Volleyball Pit.

The Seventh Annual Block Party, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, is open to all students will feature the Carnival of Clubs, games, and a dinner provided by the Sodexho Dining Services. The party, to be held in front of Academic Hall, is sponsored by the Student Government, the Student Activities Council and Greek Life.

Following the Block Party is the Saturday Dance Party at 9 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. The dance is for first-year students only and offers free food, music, prizes, give-aways and games to freshmen who attend.

Sunday brings still more events to students.

A Scavenger Hunt, which will take place on the third floor of the University Center at 3 p.m., offers prizes to the best scavengers. At 5 p.m., weary hunters can travel to the Welcome Back Picnic in Capaha Park and find free food, music, canoes, and volleyball provided by the Chamber of Commerce. The picnic is open to all students, and those attending should bring swimsuits for the party at the Capaha Swimming Pool following the dinner. The Pool Party, which continues until 10 p.m., is sponsored by the Student Recreation Center and is open to all students.

Classes begin at 8 a.m. Monday.