Spirit Week, which lasts from Sept. 2 to Sept. 11, provides many opportunities for students to get together and show their school pride.
Throughout the week, there will be four women’s volleyball games, one women’s soccer game and two men’s soccer games. The Activities Fair will be held Thurs., Sept. 8 from 12-3 p.m. Then at 8 p.m. on Thurs. there will be a DAC After Dark event, which invites students to celebrate differences and share refreshments.
The Redzone will be hosting a barbeque at 6 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 9 at the Belson courtyard. On Saturday, students interested in Greek Life can attend a fraternity and sorority Recruitment Luau on the Great Lawn from 4-7 p.m. Spirit Week comes to a close at 5:30 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 11 with a September 11th  Remembrance Night at St. Thomas More Church.
Katie Busch, a freshman, said it is essential to get excited about sports at the University. She said women’s athletics are underrepresented, and attended the poster-making event Friday in Carnesecca to cheer on the women’s soccer team before their game against Albany.
Deep Patel, a junior, decorated posters as well. He spoke of the unity school athletics inspires. “No matter what sport it is, we’re all Red Storm,” he said.
Christine Gonzalez, a Student Life graduate assistant, expressed the value of DAC After Dark events. “They provide an opportunity for students to come after class, meet up, and be exposed to different things on campus,” she said.
Sophomore Dan Rice spoke highly of the DAC After Dark events as well. “Whether you live on campus or commute,” he said, “it’s an effective way for students to get together.”
Live, Love, Learn will be holding their annual picnic in the DAC on Sat., Sept. 10 from 2-4 p.m. Alysha Velez, graduate assistant for Student Engagement, said the objective behind LLL “is to engage students on campus with fun activities that will help foster new relationships as well as give a break from studying and classes.”
“[The picnic] is a nice way to start off the semester,” Velez said, “as well as enjoy the beautiful weather before the cold comes in.”
Shirley Zhao, a senior, attended the latest LLL event on Sept. 3. She said she enjoys campus activities like this for the camaraderie they provide, and for the free items available to students who attend.
Spirit Week is all about bringing people together, according to Ruzha Pesson, a sophomore. “It’s a community builder,” he said. “The more people who attend, the more attractive an event is. When people take the time to take part in things like this, they enjoy their college experience a lot more.”