Hornet Weeks of Welcome, or Hornet W.O.W., is a three-week long celebration intended to unite the Sacramento State community from Aug. 30 to Sept. 21.

As a campus wide effort to build up school spirit, Hornet WOW events are designed to encourage student participation in school events among both incoming and returning students.

Sac State organizations such as the Green Army, UNIQUE Programs, and Associated Students Inc. have created events that will take place throughout the month.

UNIQUE Programs advisor Ajamu Lamumba said he is excited about the program’s involvement with Hornet WOW by hosting numerous events to welcome back students to Sac State.

“Personally I am looking forward to all of the events we have planned,” Lamumba said. “They are all different events and offer students fun and free ways to become involved in campus life.”

Lamumba said the events UNIQUE Programs are free and range from newly released movies to concerts from bands from all over California.

“Spread over the three weeks of Hornet WOW, we have seven events for students,” Lamumba said. “They will get to see two free movies, as well as see some great musicians playing a wide variety of music ranging from Cumbia, Dub rock, soul and funk, and Reggae.”

Lamumba said UNIQUE Programs have banded together with the Green Army and Associated Students Inc. A-Team during the fall semester’s first Nooner event to let students know about their organizations.

“We have invited the Green Army and (Sac State mascot) Herky to our first noon event, to allow the Green Army (to have) the chance to sign up more students and get to know what the Green Army is all about and how students can sign up for the Green Army,” Lamumba said. “At this same event, we have also invited the A.S.I. A-Team who will be giving away free Jamba Juice to students.”

Associated Students Inc. president Nielsen Gabriel said by doing these events during the first three weeks of school, he hopes it will encourage students to learn about the organizations and resources available to them at Sac State.

“There are a number of campus entities involved with Hornet WOW,” Gabriel said. “In my opinion, the goal of Hornet WOW is to engage students with the campus, both new and returning, to show them what the university has to offer.”

Events include the A.S.I. Block Party, the love-themed Phlagleblast 14, the ninth annual Sac State Throwdown dodgeball tournament on Sept. 5 along with the’ first home football game against Southern Oregon University on Sept. 14.

Gabriel said they will also be hosting a series of events during “A.S.I. Week” from Sept. 16 to Sept. 21. that includes a meet and greet with students, the official opening of the water bottle refilling station and the A.S.I. Farmers’ Market.

“Aside from our A.S.I. Week events, I will be looking forward to a number of events during Hornet WOW,” Gabriel said. “As with every year, I am looking forward to both WELLcome Back and Phlagleblast.”

Junior Brenda Martinez said she’s looking forward to seeing new students mingle with returning students at Hornet WOW.

“I am looking forward to Hornet WOW because there are many events that will unify our campus and increase school spirit,” Martinez said. “I am excited to meet old and new Hornets at these events and I am looking forward to participating in Club Days in the Library Quad and the A.S.I. Block Party because it gives clubs a chance to recruit many new members in a fun and spirited environment.”

Although the events are meant to gather the campus community in a fun atmosphere, some of the events, such as the educational panels about sexual harassment, the LGBT community and lectures during Constitution Week are meant to educate students on issues that affect society.

Gabriel said although the goal for Hornet WOW is to boost school spirit through means of having fun or spreading awareness, he hopes that it will continue throughout the semester.

“We are looking at new ways of increasing student participation and enhancing a feel of school spirit,” Gabriel said. “Hornet WOW is one aspect we have looked at. However, we acknowledged that our goal for participation and school spirit goes on throughout the year and cannot stop in the month of September.”

Camille Anglo can be contacted at [email protected]