Events around campus this week are designed to make the first days of school a little bit more fun than usual, Student Activities Adviser Ryan Lindquist said.
"No matter if students are coming back to UNM or joining UNM for the first time, we want to make sure they have a great experience for the first week," Lindquist said.
Billed as the last great event of the summer by Student Special Events, the program is in its 25th year. The events began Sunday with the annual Pepsi Class Crawl, which gave freshmen an opportunity to locate their classes before the first day.
Also on Sunday, ASUNM sponsored a drive-in movie at Johnson field. "Van Helsing" played as free refreshments and popcorn were provided.
Movies in the SUB theater will be free of charge all week, said Justin Landis, director of the Southwest Film Center.
"During Welcome Back Days, all movies are free because we want to draw people to the theater to show them we have a nice theater that students can use," Landis said.
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For those who missed the movie on the field, "Van Helsing" will be shown again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
"I, Robot," starring Will Smith, will play on Thursday night. Tickets to that show will be available all over campus. Students with passes will have priority seating. Landis said he expects this week's movies to draw a pretty good crowd.
Throughout the week, the Duck Pond will feature live music and free giveaways.
* Today there will be an ice cream social with free Cold Stone Creamery ice cream cake.
* Tuesday is Safety, Health and Wellness Day. Activities will include a climbing wall and free massages.
* Wednesday is Women's and Cultural Day. There will be information for interested students on the University's ethnic, cultural and women's programs.
* Thursday is Student Organization Day where students can learn how to become a part of any of UNM's 280 student organizations. North Campus will celebrate the beginning of the semester on Thursday afternoon with information booths, free food and music at the Health Sciences Complex.
* Friday is Community Service and Employment Day. It will feature UNM departments looking for work study and student employees as well as volunteers.
Each day, events will run from noon to 1 p.m., and booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
