Friday, December 12, 2014

Finals Week at USD

         Students and professors are preparing for finals this week. The library is full throughout the day and into the night. Professors have sent off their final exams to the printers and are awaiting their arrival. Through the anxiety and preparation that finals weeks brings comes endless campus sponsored activities. Student services organized 25 different events that students can attend throughout a ten day period for free. The events started Sunday December 7th and ran through Wednesday December 17th.  The activities range from one to four hours max which gives students time to break from the books and continue studying after.
The categories ranged from movies in the MUC, different crafting stations, showcasing an athletic game, relaxation programs, concerts, and endless food opportunities. The famous Late Night Breakfast was held the eve of finals starting. The meal catered by university faculty and staff was co-sponsored by President Abbott’s office and student services. The meal was served outside the MUC ballroom and the line ran all the way down the stairs to the MUC entrance. Other food opportunities included Snack Attack: Popcorn Bar, Yote Floats, Free Popcorn Friday, and Treat Day rounding out the semester. Heartland Humane Society came back for another year of Pet the Stress Away Puppy Therapy. Fewer dogs were selected this year, and they weren’t quite puppies they were actually full grown dogs.
Campus Activities Board organizes events that are held throughout the semester and were able to coordinate some during finals week. CAB brought Airbrush Trucker Hats which involved two artists who painted designs on trucker hats for students. The Relaxation Program was also sponsored by CAB. The program included oxygen bars and massage chairs in the MUC Pit designed to help students relax.
Students took advantage of the crafting activities. The crafts were promoted as being good Christmas presents for loved ones. Crafts included Cookie Jars, Holiday Decorating Ornaments, Sharpie Mugs Decorating Mugs, Holiday Cookie Decorating, Tie Dye Table, and Mocktails and Canvas.
The MUC is also having a watch party for the men’s basketball game. They are playing at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls Saturday night. Campus is airing the game on the new 16 screen T.V. in the MUC. Student tickets were also available for $5, and a shuttle bus was offering to take fans up.
The Paw Points auction was also a new event at campus this finals week. Paw points were started this semester and were implemented as an incentive to help attendance at games and campus events. If a student stayed until the end of the event they could swipe their student I.D. and get a point. The auction included an Ipad Mini, 19” T.V., printer, and various coyote apparel. Students were able to combine their points with friends for a higher chance at winning.
Finals week is stressful with the endless tests, projects, papers, and even graduation for some students, but campus has provided daily events to go to throughout the week.

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