Oz fever seems to be spreading this year, as Collins Living Learning
Center at Indiana University Bloomington, has decided that this year’s
Welcome Week theme to help new freshman adjust and enjoy themselves would be
“The Wizard of Oz.”
Collins is known for its interesting, entertaining, and sometimes over the
top events following a pre-chosen theme. Collins Welcome Week events are
planned and executed by a small committee of Collins students, with careful
decisions being made as to giving the widest choice of events to students.
The orientation leaders hope that people with a variety of interests can
find and participate in their “thing” and feel more comfortable in this new
and strange environment. Sending out a copy of the first book, The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz, to all new incoming residents is just the beginning. Oz
excitement is really evident with the students in charge of orientation for
Collins, who are planning events such as a book discussion, a trip to the
illustrious Lilly Library, housing some fascinating bits of original Oz
memorabilia, as well as a special film screening of infamous The Wizard of
Oz put to the Dark Side of the Moon album by Pink Floyd. This last is
somewhat typical of the unique twist Collins puts on otherwise normal
Welcome Week events. Previous themes and events have included Charlie and
the Chocolate factory, with various candy decorations springing up
throughout the Courtyard for Welcome Week. Also, Harry Potter, where each
building that makes up Collins was named a House and given their own house
animal and banners, which were hung up in the spacious dining hall
reminicent of the one seen in the Harry Potter movies.
I’m mainly sending this along because I find it interesting on two levels:
First, Chesterton students attending Collins this fall, who would normally
miss the Oz Fest, won’t be able to avoid the old story.
Second, those new IU students not living at Collins, who might get homesick
within the first few weeks, could stop by the CLLC for a taste of what
they’ll be missing back in the hometown.
Erin Farlow or Julie Euber,
2005 Orientation Leaders
Posted 9/16/2005
