In This Issue:
April Events
International Programs Worldfest
Study Abroad Options

Whitman Smith, Director of Orientation Programs

Hello mom and dad,

Spring has sprung in Oxford and Ole Miss! If you haven't been to campus in a while, the time to visit is upon us. The temps are in the 70's and even 80's here lately, the flowers are up, the trees are getting their leaves, and droves of students are out and about. Make plans for a visit soon as baseball is in full swing (as are tennis - some of the best you will ever see on a college campus - and softball, also very hot as of late), Double Decker Arts Festival is the last weekend in April, and graduation is right around the corner. Jennifer Taylor, our Director of Campus Programming, details some of the fun stuff happening in and around campus this spring and Tim Woodard, our International Program Student Advisor details the ever popular annual World Fest event happing in mid-April. If you have never been to World Fest it is quite fun and something you should encourage your student to check out.

Some of you may be coming to the realization that the Ole Miss odyssey is at its end for your student while others are wondering what this summer holds for your son or daughter. To that end, Vanessa Cook from the Study Abroad office details some of the great reasons to combine travel and academics this summer with a great article about Summer Study Abroad Programs. I know it makes me wish I was back in school and could take advantage of it!

We've have a bit of entertainment and controversy on campus this week in the form of a traveling evangelist and his wife in the free speech zone in front of the Union. Though the person is different, a similar messenger came to campus during my own student days in the 80's. As you might imagine, many students have gathered to hear, engage, disagree, shout and protest at this message each day this week. I commented to a friend of mine that I was perplexed at why anyone would listen to or engage someone who essentially was espousing (and rather loudly and harshly I might add - think "condemning extreme literalist") a message of exclusion, hate towards certain people, etc. His answer really made me remember what I love about college: "Hey, stir the pot I say. What's the alternative? Video games and laying out? At least it gets our students engaged in good conversations." To that, all I can say is Amen! Hope you all get a chance to visit soon!

Whitman

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April Events sponsored by the Department of Campus Programming & Student Programming Board

By Jennifer Taylor
Director of Campus Programming

Catching the Ole Miss spirit is what Red & Blue week is all about! The month of April kicks-off with Red & Blue Week beginning Monday, April 2. Free events each day at the Student Union include a caricature artist, Think Fast trivia competition, snow cones, Union Unplugged series live music, and a Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament in the Southern Breeze. 

The 17th annual Chucky Mullins Courage Award Banquet is set for Friday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Indoor Practice Facility. It is sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities. Tickets can be reserved by calling 662-915-7705 or may be purchased from a member of the sponsoring fraternities. The week culminates on Saturday with the Grove Bowl, the intra-squad football game held at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. 

On Sunday, April 15, the Student Programming Board will host its annual Spring Fest concert, featuring Nappy Roots, as well as a dance and step competition and a wing-eating competition. All of the festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Grove.

The Department of Campus Programming will again sponsor “The Final Stretch” during the last two weeks of the spring semester. From Monday, April 30 until Friday, May 11, students will find many ways to relieve exam stress. Several on-campus locations, such as the J.D. Williams Library and Ole Miss Dining Services, will have extended hours to accommodate students for studying and relaxation. Popular summer movies such as National Lampoon’s Vacation, Sahara, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be featured from 9 to 4 daily on the big screen TV in the Student Union Lobby. Free massages will be offered throughout the week from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.in the Student Union Lobby. The ASB will sponsor a Scantron and Blue Book Giveaway by the Ole Miss Bookstore on the lower level of the Student Union beginning at 7:30 a.m. daily during exam week. There will be free pool in the Southern Breeze from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. In addition, Exam Week Survival Kits with pens, pencils, stress balls and more, will be handed out in the Lobby.

For a more comprehensive calendar of events, please visit the Department of Campus Programming website at www.olemiss.edu/student_life/campus_programming.

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International Programs Worldfest

By Tim Woodard
International Programs Advisor

WorldFest is a campus-wide event providing a unique opportunity for Ole Miss U.S. and international students to interact in a spirit of international friendship and cross-cultural understanding. For the last seven years, WorldFest attendees have lined up to sample chicken curry from India, spring rolls from Thailand, and sushi from Japan on a spring afternoon in the Grove.  

This Year the Office of International Programs would like to invite you to our 8th Annual WorldFest on April 17, 2007 in the Ole Miss Grove beginning at 4:00 p.m. WorldFest is organized by the Office of International Programs and sponsored by the Croft Institute for International Studies along with the Ole Miss Parents Association. “WF 8” will be composed of three distinct events:

WorldGames, the afternoon event held in the Grove at 4:00pm, includes a wide variety of sports and games from around the world. An opening ceremony includes a presentation of flags ceremony through the Walk of Champions. 

FoodFest, beginning at 5:00 festival goers will get samples of cuisines from all over the world. Some will be catered; others will be prepared by natives of those countries.

WorldStage, beginning at 6:30pm in the Grove Pavillion, offers a variety of performances and cultural programs presented by Ole Miss international and U.S. students. Students are invited to sing, dance, and play musical instruments that are native to their culture.

Each year WorldFest has become bigger and bigger. We hope to have over 1,000 festival goers this year. We have also added entertainment that starts on the Union Plaza at 3:30; several bands will be playing while the WorldGames are being played.

WorldFest would like to thank out sponsors: the Ole Miss Parents Association, the Croft Institute, and the Office of International Programs!

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Study Abroad Options
Tell them to Go Away!

By Vanessa Cook
Study Abroad Advisor

Application deadlines for Summer 2007 Study Abroad Programs are rapidly approaching. We don’t want any UM student to miss out on the opportunity to experience a new part of the world this summer.

Is your student looking to earn some language credit? We’re offering Spanish in Spain, Costa Rica, and Mexico, as well as French, German, and Italian courses in many different locations.

Looking for Liberal Arts core requirements? Students can take 3 hours of credit during each of 5 sessions at our London campus and satisfy their history, English, social science, and/or humanities credit.

Does your student like to follow his or her own path? Let them explore Ghana, the Galapagos Islands, or South Africa on one of our education, biology, social work, or music programs. They can earn 3 to 6 hours of credit and enjoy the thrill of discovery in a safe, academic environment.

We have more than 60 programs in 19 countries available to UM students this summer. Courses range from general electives, to art and biology major requirements, to business and language core courses. We also offer innovative courses where students can learn cooking from Italian chefs, explore oceanic life through snorkeling, practice their favorite sport with Australian Olympic athletes, or explore how life is different in a young but vibrant democracy.

Whatever your student’s needs or interests are, Study Abroad has a program for them. To learn more about all of our options, visit our Web site at www.olemiss.edu/abroad or visit with us in 359 Martindale the next time you’re on campus.

Encourage your student to Go Beyond the Grove.

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Expect your next issue of Slice of Life on Friday, April 13.