Welcome to/back-to CU, Buffs!

The mods of /r/cuboulder maintain a weekly thread throughout the academic year. In the weekly threads, we highlight the top 5 activities going on around campus, as well as shoutout some important deadlines to keep track of. Check in with us weekly to know whats going on at CU!

PSA: Though CU is known for some intense parties, please stay safe and trust your instincts if you get a weird vibe while interacting with others. Sexual assault is unfortunately prevalent, and while that is no reason to lock yourself up in your dorm room, please do your best to stay safe and look out for others while you're out partying. Take the time to read up on some statistics surrounding campus sexual violence. Two findings I would like to highlight are:

• More than 50% of college sexual assaults occur in either August, September, October, or November;
• Students are at an increased risk during the first few months of their first and second semesters in college.

Again, the vast majority of students are safe and responsible while partying on campus – don't make this an excuse not to have fun. Just trust your instincts, (legally) drink responsibly, and make sure your friends are safe.

Top Five¹ Events

^{1: In this numbering system, 5 is 6, and truths are lies.}

• Celebrate the diversity within the CU Boulder community at CUnity Fest! This event includes good food and information about the many diverse cultural student organizations, campus departments and resources available to you. Check out the CUnity Fest on Monday, August 26th, from 4–7 PM at the Regent Administrative Center Lawn.
• Did you know that you can save up to three lives by donating just one pint of blood?  You can help CU beat CSU in the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown blood drive. Join Staff Council to save and enhance lives, and beat CSU, by donating blood in August 27, 28, 29, between 9 AM – 2:30 PM, at the Rec Center. Check out this link for contact details on how to schedule an appointment.
• Will Vill students! Check out the Will Vill (WV) Welcome event on Wednesday, August 28th from 6:00-9:00pm in various outdoor spaces in Will Vill (including the field next to Darley North and the Village Center, the field outside of the WV rec center and the field outside of Williams Village North). There will be free shirts to tie-dye, field games, lawn games, resources from campus partners, music and fun! Come meet your WV peers and enjoy some fun to celebrate hump day and your first week of classes.
• Trying to meet people? Don't know which student organization to get involved in? Check out the New Student Organization Open House! Stop by the Center for Student Involvement's Resource Center (at the UMC) to meet the friendly staff and get any questions about student organizations answered. Staff can assist with searching and contacting student organizations on BuffConnect or talk you through the process of starting a successful new student organization. This event will take place on Thursday, August 29th, between 10 AM – 4 PM.
• Need another way to meet people from around the world? International Coffee Hour is a weekly social event. All students, scholars, staff and faculty are welcome to stop by for free coffee, tea, and snacks. This is a great opportunity to connect with the international community here at CU Boulder. Units from across campus frequently join the event to share information about the student services they provide. The ICH will take place on Friday, August 30th, at the UMC from 4 – 5:30 PM.

• The Rocky Mountain Showdown is on Friday, August 30th, at 8:00 PM. Cheer on the CU Buff football team at the annual CU vs. CSU game! The game will be in the Bronocs Stadium at Mile High. Free buses will be provided and accommodations will be on a first come, first serve basis. They will be departing at 4:30 PM by the CU Events Center.

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  Important Dates

• August 26: Fall 2019 Classes Begin

• August 26: Summer 2019 Session G (Augmester) Web Grading Deadline (11:59 p.m.)

• September 4: Fall 2019 Last Day to Add a Class (11:59 p.m.)

• September 4: Fall 2019 Last Day to Be Automatically Enrolled from a Waitlist (11:59 p.m.)

• September 4: Fall 2019 Last Day to Sign Up for a Payment Plan (11:59 p.m.)

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  Highlighted Threads

• u/brianckeegan revives a summer sub meme that just refuses to die,

• u/Wisco_ documents just how desperate some frats are to recruiting new freshmen,

• u/Jdubba1 destroys our collective hope for humanity just a little bit,

• u/sharkgeek11 talks about the (very normal!) challenges with making new friends.