With the fall 2020 semester beginning Monday, Aug. 24, Lone Star College-University Park is forging ahead with its annual Roar Week activities for the first week of classes Aug. 24 - 29. Though the semester will commence largely online, the college is using innovative, virtual solutions to continue tradition and welcome students to the new semester.

This fall's Roar Week theme, "A Virtual Road Map to Your Success," is centered around ensuring students have the resources they need to feel confident for the fall semester and the opportunity to connect with faculty, staff and peers.

Roar Week is traditionally held on campus during the first week of each semester to welcome students in a fun, interactive format and familiarize them with the college and its resources, including Student Life activities, advising, career services and more.

LSC-University Park President Dr. Shah Ardalan says keeping the college's students, faculty and staff safe and healthy is the No. 1 priority. However, LSC-University Park leadership did not want to allow the pandemic to dampen the warm spirit of the new semester, and plans quickly took shape for an online format.

"Roar Week is one of the most exciting times of the semester at LSC-University Park, so taking it 100% online was a challenge, but innovation is in LSC-University Park’s DNA," Ardalan said. "We put the health and safety of our students and employees above everything else. It was clear that for Roar Week to work, we needed to be creative and adapt. I've gotten a sneak peek at the engaging virtual events our dedicated faculty and staff have put together, and I know students will be pleased. Though this semester looks different, our LSC-University Park family could not be more excited and ready to usher in a new semester of helping students reach their individual goals and success."

A different student-focused theme will be covered each day of Roar Week. For example, the first day will address time management and organization, both of which are crucial to any student's success in college. In this new environment of virtual learning, LSC-University Park is working to provide practical options for managing time and staying organized as students navigate their educational journeys with work-from-home schedules and other responsibilities. Some of the events scheduled for the day include an online seminar, a Facebook Live session on how to plan successfully, and a picture contest in which students will submit pictures of their planners and inspire their peers.

Other themes that will be covered during the week include mental health, study tips, communication, setting goals and gaining support. Some of the other virtual events going on for students include "Roar Week Trivia Tuesday," where students will put their knowledge of random facts to the test to win prizes, Big Heads and Beats Caricatures and Playlist Bingo. All of the events will be live-streamed.

For more information about Roar Week and a full list of events, visit LoneStar.edu/RoarWeek. Students  can check their email and LSC-University Park social media for more details. Registration for the upcoming fall semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 24, is ongoing. Students can also register for shorter-term courses (8-, 10-, 12- and 14-week sessions) that begin throughout the semester.