Collins Living-Learning Center welcomed freshman and returners alike into our buildings the week before classes. Our Welcome Week team decorated our public spaces and hosted events themed around JRR Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit. Upperclassmen enthusiastically shared traditions with the incoming students. It was a fun week of introductions, exploration, connections, and activity.
Events:
Monday, August 19th
Collins LLC Opening Reception
Faculty, students, and staff came together for the official opening of Collins LLC for the 2024-2025 academic year. After welcoming remarks from Interim Director Carl Ipsen, campus partners, Executive Dean Rick Van Kooten with the College of Arts + Sciences and Collins alum Sara Ivey Lucus, Director at Residence Life & Assistant Dean of Students offered kind words. Together, they cut the ceremonial ribbon to usher in a new year at Collins.
Tuesday, August 20th
Have lunch with ACT and play bingo!
Director of ACT Humanities, Jennifer Goodlander, ran a game of bingo to educate attendees about the different arts and humanities resources around campus and in Bloomington.
Collins Arts Facilities Tour
Two members of our Welcome Week team offered tours of all of the studio spaces open to LLC members in both the Clubhouse and the Annex.
Trivia at the Hillcrest Clubhouse
The Welcome Week team introduced students to the grand Collins tradition of trivia as well as the billiards and ping pong tables, plus board games in the lounge area.
Wednesday, August 21st
College of Art + Science Expo
Many students visited Student Services Coordinator Heather Holmes at the College of Art + Science Expo on Woodlawn fields. They grabbed gnome stickers, airheads, and pens while chatting about Collins LLC course options and publications.
Late Night Middle Earth Crafts
Welcome Week volunteers ran a variety of craft activities at dark-thirty in the Flounge, including calligraphy, map making, and door decorations.
Thursday , August 22nd
IU and Indiana’s Willd Backyard: Meet our Native Flora and Fauna!
SustainCollins focuses on educating on sustainability for college and beyond. This sponsored a nature walk through Dunn’s Woods, introducing students to IU’s woodlots.
Book Discussion Luncheon
Students, staff, and faculty enjoyed Taste of India and create-your-own dirt cup dessert. BOEP co-chair Daniel Vesper led an interesting discussion of The Hobbit.
Artists Market at Maxwell Hall
ACT Humanities is a partnership between Collins LLC and the Cook Center for the Public Humanities in Maxwell Hall. Goodlander led a group over to the Cook Center to visit the Welcome Week Artists Market. The market featured local and student artists and was a great opportunity to purchase new décor for dorm rooms.
Storytime Tea Party with The Cheshire Café
Students gathered to relax and hear bedtimes stories while enjoying tea and tasty treats in the Commons.
Friday , August 23rd
Making Mount Doom
Students forged and destroyed a mini Mount Doom in the Collins Courtyard under the supervision of Holmes. Using baking soda, vinegar, and orange food coloring, they relived elementary science fair days.
Board games with pizza
Winding down from many welcome week adventures, students hung out in the Commons, ate pizza, and played board games with their new Collins friends.
Saturday, August 24th
Activities Fair
Student group leaders and staff gathered in the Collins Courtyard, inviting students to learn about the different ways to get involved at the LLC.
The Hobbit screening with s’mores
There were some technical difficulties with the audio, but students gathered to watch the 1977 animated Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit with subtitles. The s’more made up for it.
Sunday, August 25th
Meet Your Q-Instructor
Q-students met and chatted with their Q-instructors, while enjoying Square donuts. This event wrapped up the Collins Welcome Week festivities with a chill, friendly vibe.
We look forward to a year adventuring into great Q projects, community and ResLife events, and creating new traditions.
The College of Arts