New students learn the ins and outs of attending UI
Like many other students, Vandal Friday sealed the deal for Kori Siddoway.
While attending Vandal Friday a few years ago, Siddoway said she fell in love with the Greek community and knew attending the University of Idaho would be the right choice for her.
“Just being down here and seeing the community is really what made me want to be here,” said Siddoway, who now works to organize Vandal Friday as an administrative assistant in the Office of Admissions and Campus Visits. “Vandal Friday is what sold me.”
Ray Lyon | Courtesy
Future UI students and their families chat with Moscow community members over Vandal Meats chili at the first-ever Moscow Thursday, a city-hosted downtown event.
The annual welcome for admitted students continues Friday with campus tours, class registration and the Student Activities and Information Fair in the Kibbie Dome.
Vandal Friday will look a little different this year. Unlike previous years, admitted students will not be allowed to spend the night in residence halls or Greek houses.
Siddoway said the change was made out of concerns for current students’ safety and security.
With admitted students not staying on campus, Siddoway said it won’t inconvenience current students and will respect their privacy.
“There’s just a lot that goes in to housing those students and a lot of liability,” she said.
Regardless of the change, Siddoway said Friday is a full day of events for students looking to learn more about the university and what it means to be a Vandal.
Starting at 9 a.m., students can find information on student organizations, Greek houses, UI programs and University Housing at the Student Activities and Information Fair in the Kibbie Dome.
Students can also take tours of campus, the library, the Student Recreation Center or residence halls and Greek houses.
Siddoway said students can also attend informational sessions on different topics, such as getting involved on campus or navigating college finances.
After lunch, students will sit in on a brief overview of the registration process and have the opportunity to register for classes through their respective colleges.
Students who have not committed to UI will attend informational sessions with administrators and current students to talk about the benefits of attending UI.
“They are still looking at us and they are still weighing their options, and we hope that this kind of sways them our way,” Siddoway said.
Vandal Friday will come to a close Friday afternoon with free pizza for students and their families at the VandalStore.
Genie Tran | Argonaut
Local band Henry C and the Willards played music downtown at Moscow Thursday, the first-ever City of Moscow event to complement UI’s Vandal Friday.
Although many of the events are on Friday, Vandal Friday officially began Thursday with campus tours and a block party in downtown Moscow.
Siddoway said the block party was an opportunity for students to check out downtown Moscow and welcome newcomers to the community.
Overall, Siddoway said Vandal Friday is a way to welcome new students to the UI community.
“It’s just a really great experience to come and see what it is to be a Vandal,” Siddoway said.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]