By Courtney Hibler
Youngstown State University will be welcoming students “On Cloud Y” during Welcome Week. This beginning to the academic year serves to help new students feel acquainted with the campus during the beginning of the semester with information booths, activities and food.
From Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, the event will have various on-campus organizations and student groups participating to help bring the university together.
Wyatt Miller, outreach coordinator and member of Pete’s Planners, said he provides ideas and plans while making sure all events run smoothly and efficiently.
“Welcome Week is designed to be an environment that fosters inclusiveness as well as cooperation and is a place where people can come together,” Miller said.
The events tend to change from year to year to entice new students in participating in the activities.
“Of course there are a few fan favorites such as Build-a-Penguin,” Miller said. “The favorites usually resurface every year.”
Another popular event among students is Puppy Palooza. The event held outside the Andrew’s Recreation and Wellness Center features dogs and cats that are all available 
for adoption for students to interact with as a stress reliever. Miller said each group that plans a certain event covers all necessary responsibilities such as food, staffing and contracts.
Welcome Week events are favored among many YSU students and remain an annual constant.
Allie Diernbach, a junior business major, said she tries to attend Puppy Palooza every year.
“I love it,” she said. “It helps calm me down when I’m worried about the start of all my classes and I hope this stays as a tradition for years to come.”
Abigail Cochran, a freshman undeclared major, said as she enters her freshman year at YSU she is hopeful to gain friends during Welcome Week.
“I’m looking forward to finding fun things to do,” Cochran said. “As an incoming freshman, I want to know as much as possible about YSU.”
Cochran said college can be an intimidating and scary environment to new students.
“Knowing these certain resources are available for me and others can help relieve a lot of the stress I feel,” Cochran said.
Students can learn about their campus and community through information tables and booths; however, new students can also learn from the more experienced students they meet during Welcome Week.
Brandon Clinker, freshman criminal justice major, said he thinks Welcome Week will help him integrate into YSU culture.
“I’ll learn about things I didn’t know about, meet new people and feel more relaxed and at home,” said Clinker.
Making new friends, learning valuable information and joining different groups and organizations are a few ways new students can adapt to the YSU community and their peers.
A list of all Welcome Week events is available at the Office of Student Activities in Kilcawley Center or here: http://cms.ysu.edu/administrative-offices/welcome-week/welcome-week-events.
