Bulldog Beginnings
We are excited for another great Bulldog Beginnings this year. Join us for opportunities to connect with campus resources, participate in scavenger hunts, resource fairs, community events, and more. Start your year off right! with a Bulldog Beginnings activity.
Go Bulldogs!
Fall 2020 Bulldog Beginnings Schedule
**With the changing COVID-19 environment and weather changes, please refer to Bulldog Connect Event listing for the most up to date information and safety guidelines on the events below. Search events using the Bulldog Beginnings tag to quickly find what you are looking for.
NEW! Check-in to events and earn points to redeem for prizes. Download the CheckPoint by Presence app and look for the unique PIN number on signs at events. Zoom events will either give the PIN number or download attendance.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Aug. 26 |
First Impressions Welcome Tents 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Location: Throughout Main campus First Impressions are informational booths strategically placed around campus welcoming students and parents to campus. Faculty and staff volunteers provide information as requested, direct visitors to their desired locations, and most importantly, offer a friendly face in a new environment to our incoming students and their parents.
8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: Ewigleben Sports Complex Join us at the Sports Complex to find out everything you need to know about living on campus. Arrival appointments needed.
TikTok Dance Challenge - postponed to later date 8:00 P.M. Location: North Campus Quad Learn the newest dance crave and compete to win prizes. |
| Thursday, Aug. 26 |
First Impressions Welcome Tents 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Location: Throughout Main campus First Impressions are informational booths strategically placed around campus welcoming students and parents to campus. Faculty and staff volunteers provide information as requested, direct visitors to their desired locations, and most importantly, offer a friendly face in a new environment to our incoming students and their parents.
8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: Ewigleben Sports Complex Join us at the Sports Complex to find out everything you need to know about living on campus. Arrival appointments needed.
7:00 P.M. to 9 P.M. Location: South Campus Quad by The Rock Local band "The Balsam Brothers" will delight the ears as you cross the quad for dinner or finish up your move-in. Bring a blanket or chair if you plan to stay for awhile. |
| Friday, Aug. 28 |
First Impressions Welcome Tents Location: Throughout Main campus First Impressions are informational booths strategically placed around campus welcoming students and parents to campus. Faculty and staff volunteers provide information as requested, direct visitors to their desired locations, and most importantly, offer a friendly face in a new environment to our incoming students and their parents.
8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: Ewigleben Sports Complex Join us at the Sports Complex to find out everything you need to know about living on campus. Arrival appointments needed.
Bulldog Welcome Location: Variety of locations around campus
Location: Lot #28 Drive-in or bring a blanket or towel to sit on the lawn and enjoy a movie with new and old friends. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring a sweater or light jacket. |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 |
12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Location: North Campus Quad Traveling circus thrillers will amaze your eyes with daring tricks and stunts. This is a roving and repeat activity so join us as you can throughout the day.
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| Sunday, Aug. 30 |
Double check your school supplies, locate your classes, and get some rest. School starts tomorrow! |
| Monday, Aug. 31 |
First Day of Classes First Impressions Welcome Tents Location: Throughout Main campus First Impressions are informational booths strategically placed around campus welcoming students and parents to campus. Faculty and staff volunteers provide information as requested, direct visitors to their desired locations, and most importantly, offer a friendly face in a new environment to our incoming students and their parents.
Student Face Covering Distribution Location: North Campus Quad and outside of IRC/Business Pick up your FREE 2 face coverings, hand sanitizer, and a thermometer.
6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Location: Student Recreation Center outside area and Easy Virtual Fairs There will be games, food, prizes to win, and free giveaways! All of the club sport teams will be waiting for you in our new Easy Virtual Fairs platform. Browse Club booths to discover options and how to participate.
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| Tuesday, Sept. 1 |
Student Face Covering Distribution Location: North Campus Quad and outside of IRC/Business Pick up your FREE 2 face coverings, hand sanitizer, and a thermometer.
9:00 A.M. to 2 P.M. Location: Virtual - Ferris State Easy Virtual Fairs
Global Programs Information Session 11:00 A.M. Zoom 5:00 P.M. Zoom Are you looking for ways to connect with fellow students locally and The Global Competency Collaborative Certificate (GC3) Program: This three-year program focuses on helping students develop global awareness, engagement,
and competency as well as 21st century skills. Students have the opportunity to engage with domestic The Global Engagement e-Certificate Program: This 10-week program will bring students together to have critical Study Abroad Programs: By studying abroad, students can learn a language, gain an academic and
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| Wednesday, Sept. 2 |
11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Location: Outside IRC Building by the swirly statue Bienvenidos Bulldogs! Come learn about the Center for [email protected] Studies at our annual Open House and Welcome Back. Stop by grab some helado, listen to music and learn about various ways to connect with CLS. We will be outside of the IRC Building near the swirly statue!
1 P.M. to 3 P.M. Location: Zoom The Office of Multicultural Student Services invites students to visit their office to learn about ways they can get involved! TOWERS Leadership Development Series, The Black Male Network, Volunteer Opportunities, Upcoming Events, and much more.
LGBTQ+ and Allies Welcome Reception 5 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Location: Zoom Join the LGBTQ+ Resource Center in welcoming back LGBTQ+ Bulldogs and our allies!
6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. Location: Discord Log into the LGBTQ+ Resource Center's dedicated Discord server to play games and meet other LGBTQ+ and ally students!
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| Thursday, Sept. 3 |
President’s Speech 11 A.M. - ZOOM The program will highlight our past, present and future, along with some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for Ferris State University.
Ferris Founders’ Day Frozen Novelty Food Truck 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Location: Campus Quad, South Quad, Outside UC Join us for this years Frozen Novelty Food Truck. Student, Faculty and Staff may enjoy a FREE frozen treat at locations around the University Center. A great way to start the semester off and celebrate our Founders.
Helping Others Rise 12 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. Location: Zoom "Helping others Rise" The presentation will be based on the book Haste to Rise: A Remarkable Experience of Black Education during Jim Crow by David Pilgrim and Franklin Hughes
Founders’ Day Resource Fair ALL DAY Location: Easy Virtual Fairs The Resource Fair is going VIRTUAL! Join us to see what is available to you in the
Big Rapids/Ferris Community offices on campus, nonprofits in the community, and Legacy
RSO’s/Crimson & Gold RSO’s during Founders' Day. History Task Force Geo Caching Location: Throughout Campus This year the History Task force has hidden 25 geocaches around Ferris’ main campus and the Big Rapids area. Download the Geocaching app and make an account to get started! Visit each geocache and collect code words. Completing the geotrail and mailing in a completed Tour Ticket will net you a commemorative PathTag geocoin! Information on how to participate will be available on each geocache’s webpage. Enjoy the outdoor adventure and learn a bit about the history of Ferris State University along the way. The geotrail launches August 28th!
11am, 1pm, 3pm Location: Check Bulldog Connect for times and meeting location Groups of five-ten students will be led around campus by a guide (all following social distancing protocol) to different locations that represent traditional and/or historical importance. The guide will stop at each location and explain to the students what is special about that area. The tour will conclude at the painted rock by The Rock Dining Center so that students can place their hand-print on the rock. Since the paint on the rock is never removed, only painted over, the premise is that their "hand print" will forever be on the Ferris campus.
Building Bridges Through Education Informational Session Time: 6 P.M. Location: Zoom
From the comfort of your room or home; Building Bridges Through Education is excited to offer unique opportunities for Latinx talent. Get connected to career development and internship opportunities with employers seeking diverse talent. |
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Friday, Sept. 4 |
Check out the local Big Rapids Events Calendar |
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Saturday, Sept. 5 |
Location: Katke Time: 10:00 A.M. Come out and Join us for a game of golf on September 5th! Be sure to register on IM Leagues! |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 |
Have a great day Bulldogs! |
| Monday, Sept. 7 |
Labor Day (NO CLASSES, OFFICES CLOSED)
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| Tuesday, Sept. 8 |
Location: CLACS Lobby Time: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. Come and find out helpful tips and tricks to plan a successful year. Grab a planner and some organizational supplies and get create your perfect planner from the comforts of your own home.
Transfer Services Center Open House Location: Zoom Time: 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Fun, prizes and transfer students, oh my! Are you a transfer student who is interested in learning about resources at Ferris specifically for students like you? Would you like to connect with other transfer students? Drop in virtually any time during the Open House and let’s chat! Did we mention fun and prizes? Join us!
Location: IRC 131 or Zoom Time: 6:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. Join the Center for [email protected] Studies for Promesa Invitational to learn about our Promesa Scholars Program and Amigos de Promesa Scholars Program; 2 leadership programs grounded in Latinx cultural values. Additional opportunity on Sept 10th (virtual).
Student Government Association (SGA) Welcome Meeting Location: Zoom Time 6:30 P.M. Meet new friends, find out how you can make an impact at Ferris, or looking to find an RSO home? Join this event to meet the SGA members, hear what their plans are, and learn how to join. |
| Wednesday, Sept. 9 |
4 P.M. - 7 P.M. Location: Easy Virtual Fairs Find your family away from home! All of our Registered Student Organizations will be showcasing themselves to recruit new members. Along with them, local businesses will share their products and information on the services they can provide to you as a student!
LGBTQ+ Resource Center Coffeehouse Kickoff 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Location: Virtual The LGBTQ+ Center is hosting a running drop-in Coffeehouse with tea, coffee, and light refreshments on Wednesdays from 4-6pm! Drop in, relax, eat some snacks, make a friend, find out what's new at the Resource Center. See you there!
Location: Zoom Time: 11:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Join the Center for [email protected] Studies for Promesa Invitational to learn about our Promesa Scholars Program and Amigos de Promesa Scholars Program; 2 leadership programs grounded in Latinx cultural values. |
| Thursday, Sept. 10 |
Five Star - Tim Mousseau "Reframing the Sexual Assault Conversation" Location: Zoom Time: 7:00 P.M. Brought to you by Student Activity Fund, Anti-Violence Alliance, and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. First Five Star event of the semester! Tim leads a deep and vulnerable conversation on the delicate topic of sexual assault drawing from his experiences and countless interactions with others in support groups. Why is an underlying culture of shame implicit, and how can it be stopped? Tim will help your communities understand the background information needed to facilitate healthy conversations on sexual assault, resources to assist in the survivor recovery process, and how the power of our personal and community stories can be utilized in prevention. Students will leave feeling prepared to create a culture of compassion while realistically facing an issue prevalent on campuses across the country. |
| Friday, Sept. 11 |
Friday's at Ferris: Headphone Disco 9 P.M. to 11 P.M. Location: North Campus Quad Students will wear wireless headphones with the ability to switch through the variety of music that will be played by disc jockeys. Participants are able to choose their own music to dance and sing to during the event. Limited to 100 participants at a time so sign up don't forget to reserve your appointment dance time. RSVP REQUIRED in Bulldog Connect
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| Saturday, Sept. 12 |
4th Annual Big Alley Way Clean Up 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. Location: North Campus Quad Check-in Join us as we help return and greet the Big Rapids community by being of service. Clean up efforts will begin in the North Quad, near the University Center. Teams will sign waivers, receive tools, and be assigned an alleyway near campus. Please wear your face mask, gloves, and practice social distancing unless with members of your own household. RSVP REQUIRED in Bulldog Connect
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Thursday Sept. 17th |
5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Location: Easy Virtual Fairs OMSS Multicultural Student Welcome Event
Event will be hosted on Easy Virtual Fair. Please create a profile to participate: |
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Saturday Sept. 19th |
8:30 P.M. Location: Lot 1 Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Well look no further! Come and relive your childhood watching a double feature of Jurassic Park and Dolittle (2020). If you don't have a car no problem bring a blanket and sit on the grass with your friends. Snacks will be provided and all money taken in will go to proceed the United Way. Hope to see you there. |
Anyone with a disability that needs special accommodations to attend this event should contact the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services at (231) 591-2685 or [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance.
