Another new semester has arrived for college students all across the globe, and the Cowboys of Lake Charles are ready to start the year off with a bang.

As students begin to fill the sidewalks and classrooms of McNeese State University, it's time for a break down of what to expect on campus this semester.*

August

August 24: Get Connected Day /9:00a.m-12:00p.m. / New Ranch

Learn about the different departments and services provided on campus for students, such as obtaining information about student health services, knowing where to go when you're sick, and where to receive career advice or aptitude testing.

August 24: Panhellenic Social /5:00p.m. /Old Ranch

If you've signed up to go through Formal Recruitment this year, this is the meeting for you. You'll get to know the Panhellenic Association members, along with learning more about each of the three Panhellenic sororities on campus and what to expect during Recruitment. Last day to sign up is August 26th

August 25: Student Organizations Fair /9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. / New Ranch

McNeese is home to over 120+ recognized student organizations. With this many extracurricular activities available, any student is sure to find a home in one of these organizations, whether it's academic, personal interests, sports, or Greek. The Student Organization Fair is a chance to learn more about each group's plans for the new school and be recruited to join.

August 25: Housing Meeting /8:00p.m. /Bulber Auditorium

If you're a student currently living on campus, you'll most likely be attending the mandatory housing meeting in Bulber Auditorium. Learn the in's and out's of living on campus and the services provided for residents. Don't forget to bring your student I.D.'s to be scanned at the doors! After finishing up in the auditorium, student residents will have hall meetings back in their buildings.

August 26: Wellness Wednesday & Meet The Greeks/9:00a.m.- 12:00p.m. / New Ranch

Student Health Services will be providing information on academic health, sexual health, emotional health, nutritional health, and healthy alcohol consumption.

The 14 Greek Lettered organizations at McNeese will have display tables full of information about joining their groups and supporting their philanthropies throughout the school year.

August 26: Welcome Back Wednesday /6:00p.m.-'til / Housing Courtyard

The Student Life Coalition will host the semi-annual Welcome Back Wednesday program. Get to know the student programs and engage with other students on campus. The event will have a luau theme and feature the "Lanakilas Polynesian Show." There will be other interactive attractions along with free food, music, and take-home novelties.

August 27: Campus Ministry Day /9:00a.m.-12:30p.m. /New Ranch

This is a great chance for students to learn about the many different campus ministry organizations and local churches in the area, along with when worship services and meetings are held.

August 27-30: Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment /Various /Old Ranch

For the ladies who signed up for recruitment, there will be three nights of activities to learn more about each of the three NPA sororities. (Philanthropy Night, Sisterhood Night, and Preferential Tea) along with a Bid Day to celebrate coming home to a new house.

August 28: Community Day /9:30a.m.-12:30a.m./New Ranch

Who doesn't love free promotional items, samples, and prize drawings? To finish off Howdy Rowdy Week, local businesses and community service agencies in the area will be marketing their products and services, while others will be offering opportunities for part-time employment and internships for students.

September

September 1-3: Pi Kappa Phi's Ability Week /Various /New Ranch and Quad

The Ability Week is to raise awareness and funds for Pi Kappa Phi's Ability Experience philanthropy, which supports people with disabilities. The week will be full of fun events, such as Pie a Pi Kapp, Scaffold Sits, Volunteer Day, and a Fundraiser Night.

September 2: NPHC Yard Show /7:00p.m./Old Ranch

Watch members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council participate in an exciting yard show for one of their recruitment events. Greek organizations on this council are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Phi Beta Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi.

September 3: NPHC Caucus /8:00p.m./Student Union Complex

The NPHC Caucus is a business formal recruitment event for the ladies and gentlemen interested in joining one of the NPHC Greek organizations on campus.

September 4: Interfraternity Council Bid Day /2:00p.m./New Ranch

The fall bid period begins on September 4th for the Interfraternity council on campus. This includes the Greek fraternities: Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, and Theta Chi). The bidding period ends on November 6th.

September 5: McNeese vs. LSU /Tiger Stadium

The most anticipate and first game of the season kicks off for the Cowboys in Death Valley, Baton Rouge. The Student Life Coalition will be hosting a student bus trip ($35 per student which includes a game ticket, t-shirt, and snacks).

September 7: Labor Day Holiday

Who doesn't love a break two weeks after school starts? Especially when students have the Monday after the big McNeese-LSU game off. University services will be closed, and classes will not be held.

September 16: "Laughapalooza" Comedy Show /6:00p.m. /Tritico Theater

The Student Life Coalition will be hosting a "Laughapalooza" Comedy Show featuring the cast of MTV's "Wild 'n Out."

September 25-26: Parents and Family Weekend

Parents and Family members of McNeese students get to experience campus life for the weekend. Along with fun and games provided by the Student Life Coalition, participants will receive a Parents and Family Weekend t-shirt, concessions voucher, and football tickets for the McNeese vs. Northwestern football game. Learn more and sign up at the Parents and Family Weekend home page.

October

October 1: World Wide Talent Night /6:00p.m. /Quad Amphitheater

Multicultural Programming will be hosting the third annual World Wide Talent Night featuring D' Lai. Students must sign up and audition in advance to participate and compete for a prize. Each of the acts will relate to different aspects of a variety of cultures from around the world.

October 7: Midterms

It's that time of the semester for professors to test the student's knowledge of the subject and give the student an accurate evaluation of where they stand in the class.

October 15-16: Fall Break

Classes are cancelled on this Thursday and Friday, and university services will be closed on the Friday.

October 18-24: Homecoming Week

October 18: Bowling 1/2 Nighter/9:00p.m.-12:00a.m. /Petro Bowl

To kick off Homecoming Week, the Student Union Board and Student Life Coalition will host Bowling 1/2 Nighter at Petro Bowl from nine p.m. to midnight. Sign up with you and a few of your friends to form a team and compete for a cash prize, or, if you're like me and can't keep the ball in the lane without bumpers, you can just play for fun.

October 19: Novelty Fair/10:00a.m.-1:00p.m. /Quad

New to the calendar lineup of events for Homecoming Week, the Novelty Fair will start at 10:00a.m. and last for three hours. Find time in between classes to get yourself out to the Quad to see what fun the Student Life Coalition staff has in store for us!

October 20: Molodi Live Performance/ 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. /Old Ranch

Live performances on campus are always exciting. This semester the Student Life Coalition and Leadership Programming are bringing us Molodi. "MOLODI is a performance ensemble that takes body percussion to the extreme. These guys have been stepping, tapping, rhyming,... snapping, flipping and clapping from coffee shops and poetry circles to STOMP, Cirque du Soleil and the #1 hit movie Stomp The Yard. With speed and precision Molodi blends collegiate stepping, tap, gumboots, beatbox, poetry and hip hop dance with guerilla style theatre and robust personalities that bring to life a high-energy, rhythmic experience."

October 21: Oozeball Tournament /3:00p.m./Frasch Hall Lawn

One of the most beloved traditions of Homecoming Week: Oozeball. It's the only time of the year when it's perfectly acceptable to make huge mud pits on campus and play volleyball in them. If you're not up for getting down in the dirt with your own team, then you can always watch the games from the sidelines.

October 22: Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally /7:00p.m./ Ryan Street and Cowboy Stadium

Ryan Street becomes crowded with paraders as if it were already Mardi Gras season in Lake Charles. Various student organizations and local community businesses partake in the parading festivities and compete in different divisions of the float decorating contest. After the floats make it down Ryan Street, the paraders and floats convene in Cowboy Stadium for live performances from special guest stars, the dance and cheer teams, the Pride of McNeese Band, and many others! After the Pep Rally wraps up, there is a beautiful fireworks display.

October 24: Homecoming Football Game Against Northwestern /6:00p.m. /Cowboy Stadium

Game day always starts early for McNeese with the student tailgate opening up at 2:00p.m. and getting the crowd rowdy and ready for another exciting game.

October 26: Drop Date

This is the last day to resign from courses or resign from the University.

November

November 12: Open Mic Night/6:00p.m. /Old Ranch

Come out the Old Ranch for Open Mic Night featuring Mitch Clark & Devery. Whether you want to show off your skills or just have fun with friends sure to join the Student Life Colaition for a good time on campus.

November 23-27: Thanksgiving Holiday

Classes will be cancelled the 23rd through the 27th for Thanksgiving Holiday. University services will be closed the 25th through the 27th. Services and classes will resume on the 30th.

December

December 3: Study Day and Late Night Breakfast at 7:00p.m.

Classes are cancelled for a school-wide study day before the start of final exams. After a long day of preparing, students are welcomed into the cafeteria for a late-night breakfast.

December 3-9: Final Examinations

Find out your schedule for exams here.

December 4: Book Buy Back Begins

The McNeese Bookstore will be buying back textbooks. It's a great way to get a little extra cash in your pockets.

December 18: University is closed

*Remember that dates are always subject to change, and new dates will be added to the calendar over the course of the semester.