Family Weekend 2009

Note: Some events and locations are subject to change. Final Agendas will be ready for you at the Check-in Tables when you arrive on campus.

FRIDAY, September 25, 2009

Pre-Family Weekend Activities:

• Afternoon - Attend classes with your student. Experience class just like your student does every day! Make arrangements with your student and your student's teacher to sit in on one of their classes!

• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - The College Store will be open, Barrington Student Union. Everyone will receive discount coupons in their registration packets!

• 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Josten's, Barrington Student Union Lobby. Come check out their class rings.

• 4:00 p.m. - Women's Soccer Game, Maxcy Turf. SUNY Potsdam vs. SUNY Geneseo.

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. –Check-In Table Open, Barrington Student Union Lobby. Be sure to sign in and pick up your registration packet, event tickets, name tags and agenda.

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Make Your Own Souvenir. Take home information on your family name origin and coat of arms, create some spin art and much more!Fun for the whole family!

Dinner on your own. Available in Lehman Dining Hall, Barrington Student Union Dining Court or off-campus.

6:00 p.m.& 7:00 p.m. - Planetarium Show. These shows are both BOOKED!!!  Sit back, relax and let our student guides lead you through the planets. 45 minutes. Reservations required, limited space.  The 7:00 p.m show is already booked.

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Open Pool and Skate. Skates are available in sizes 5 - 13 (men's hockey sizes).

7:30 p.m. - Crane Jazz and Wind Ensembles. This event is free and open to the public.

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. - Delectable Desserts sponsored by Residence Life and Resident Hall Association. Join our Residence Life staff and wind down with coffee or drinks at Dexter’s Cafe. A cash bar will be available. One free drink ticket (non-alcoholic only) will be given to everyone that attends. Enjoy some of the best desserts in town while relaxing to live entertainment by the SUNY Potsdam Pointercounts, the Potsdam Pitches, and the A# Arrangement.

SATURDAY, September 26, 2009

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. - 5K Fun Run/Walk. Free t-shirts for the first 25 participants!

Fun Run/Walk start times:
* 7:00 a.m. - Registration begins
* 7:15 a.m. - Walkers start
* 7:30 a.m. - Runners start

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Check-In and Information Tables Open, Barrington Student Union Lobby.

8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - Breakfast with the President. Join us for a buffet breakfast with the President of the College. Three complimentary tickets per family, each additional member charged $6.00 per person. Reservations required, limited space. 

10:00 a.m.– 8:00 p.m. - Board Games.  Play exciting games with the SUNY Potsdam Gaming Club in the Fireside Lounge in the Student Union. There will be classic family favorites, like Monopoly and Connect Four, as well as some more quirky games, like Fluxx and Munchkin. Come on in and prepare to have fun!

10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m. - Planetarium Shows. These shows are all BOOKED!!!  (on the hour – the last show starts at 5:00 p.m.).  Sit back, relax and let our student guides lead you through the planets. 45 minutes. Reservations required, limited space.

10:00 a.m. - Attend a Class! These classes have been designed by our very own Professors, specifically for Family Weekend. Reservations required, limited space. Classes may be subject to cancellation if not enough participants. Please note the different class lengths.

• 2009 Archaeological Field School, taught by Professor Hadley Kruzcek-Aaron of the Anthropology Department.This class will highlight the results of the 2009SUNY Potsdam Archaeological Field School, which had students excavate at a 19th-century homestead of an African American farmer who lived in the Adirondacks.The field school is a required course for all Archaeological Studies majors at SUNY Potsdam.50 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT. Beyond Jeopardy:  Promoting Critical Thinking, taught by Professor Kevin Arno of the Literacy Education Department.In a recent undergraduate class, I asked the question, "Who are the smartest individuals in America?"The students overwhelmingly responded that the JEOPARDY contestants on TV were. I set out on a mission to debunk that response and shared it with them and will be happy to share it with parents. 50 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT. Piano 101, taught by Professor Kathryn Koscho of The Crane School of Music. This course will provide an introduction to playing the piano in a fun, friendly atmosphere.Come explore our keyboard labs, and learn how to identify notes on the piano, use your hands, and play a few tunes!50 minutes. Limited seating - register early!

• Study Abroad, Internships, Volunteerism and Service Learning?Oh My!...“High Impact” Educational Experiences and Why They are Important, taught by Bethany Parker-Goeke and Jack Durham of the Student Success Center.In today's competitive job market, students that can present future employers with resumes containing high impact, out-of-the-classroom experiences are more likely to be successful in landing the job. Many employers are looking beyond the standard college transcript and diploma as indicators of who is a valuable employee. Jack and Bethany will lead participants in understanding ways to incorporate experiences such as study abroad, internships, volunteer and service learning experiences into the undergraduate experience.90 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.   Videography in Internet Communications, taught by Professor Edward Schneider of the Information & Communication Technology Department.This workshop will give attendees hands on experience shooting, editing and posting video online, as well as video-conferencing. Copyright and ownership issues with online video will be discussed, as well as safety and privacy concerns. Both Windows and Macintosh platforms will be used.  90 minutes.

11:00 a.m. - Attend a Class! These classes have been designed by our very own Professors, specifically for Family Weekend. Reservations required, limited space. Classes may be subject to cancellation if not enough participants. Please note the different class lengths.

• Arabic Language & Calligraphy, taught by Professor Lora Lunt of the Modern Languages Department.You will learn a few polite expressions in Arabic and learn about the Arabic alphabet.You will also get a chance to create a button with your name (or a phrase) in Arabic.50 minutes.

***NEWLY ADDED CLASS:***


• The Aztecs, taught by President John Schwaller.  This class will be a general introduction to the culture and history of the Aztecs.  Specifically, it will focus on the development of the Aztecs within the framework of Mexican history prior to the arrival of the Spanish and on unique aspects of their culture.  Some brief discussions will look at their religion,calendar, and language as unique features of their culture.  50 minutes.

• Family Conversations about Sex now that the Kids are Gone, taught by Professor Patricia Whelehan of the Anthropology Department.For a majority of our students, they are on their own for the first time. This class discusses the services and resources available to students academically and supportively to assist students in their adjustments to college life.50 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT. Piano 101, taught by Professor Kathryn Koscho of The Crane School of Music. This course will provide an introduction to playing the piano in a fun, friendly atmosphere.Come explore our keyboard labs, and learn how to identify notes on the piano, use your hands, and play a few tunes!50 minutes. Limited seating - register early!

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.  Rhetoric and Renaissance Music, taught by Professor Rebecca Gerber of The Crane School of Music.50 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.  Introduction to Photo Editing in Photoshop, taught by Jessica Rood of the Public Affairs Office.This session will offer basic editing tips in Photoshop to make your photos really shine! Bring picture files and questions for this hands-on workshop.60 minutes.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Build a Bear. Come stuff and decorate your own SUNY Potsdam Bear! $15.00 per bear includes all bear supplies. Reservations required.

11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. - The College Store will be open, Barrington Student Union.

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Josten's Class Rings. Visit Josten's table and order your class ring now!

Lunch on your own. Available at Lehman Dining Hall, Barrington Student Union or downtown.

1:00 p.m. – Women’s Soccer Game, Maxcy Turf.  SUNY Potsdam vs. SUNY Brockport.

1:00 p.m. - Attend a Class! PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE CLASSES ARE ALL 90 MINUTES OR OVER SO YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND A 2:00 CLASS IF ATTENDING ONE OF THESE. These classes have been designed by our very own Professors, specifically for Family Weekend. Reservations required, limited space. Classes may be subject to cancellation if not enough participants. Please note the different class lengths.

• CSI - Potsdam, taught by Professors Clifford S. Rossiter, Fadi Bou-Abdallah, and Anthony A. Molinero of the Chemistry Department.An explosion has occurred at a downtown Potsdam bar. Police and ambulance personnel arrive at the scene to find a horrific sight, three people are dead and over twenty wounded. The injured victims are transported to the hospital where they are treated while police take statements. CSI Potsdam is called to the scene to investigate the explosion. Come follow this crack team of scientist as they utilize the power of forensics to solve this mystery.  90 minutes.

• Islamic Studies, taught by Professor M. Azad Islam of the Physics Department.This class will explore the people, culture, religion and traditions of Islam.  90 minutes.

• Witchcraft & Witch-hunting in Early New England, taught by Professor Sheila McIntyre of the History Department. This class will explore the witch beliefs of our founding fathers, the "puritans". 90 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.  Foundations of Drawing 1, taught by Professor Michael Yeomans of the Art Department.This is a hands-on art class.All of your supplies will be provided (charcoal, erasers, pencils,etc.).Limited seating – register early!  120 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.  The Music of the Beatles, taught by Professor Douglas Rubio of the Music Performance Department. An exploration of the Beatles' musical artistry through selected songs from their different style periods. 120 minutes.

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. - Build a Bear. Come stuff and decorate your own SUNY Potsdam Bear! $15.00 per bear includes all bear supplies. Reservations required.

2:00 p.m. - Attend a Class! These classes have been designed specifically for Family Weekend. Reservations required, limited space. Classes may be subject to cancellation if not enough participants. Please note the different class lengths.

• Belly Dancing, taught by Juanita Babcock, Dance Instructor. Learn the basics of Belly Dancing! Please wear loose fitting clothing. Reservations required. Class size is limited so register early!  60 minutes.

• THIS CLASSROOM HAS REACHED ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND THE CLASS IS NOW CLOSED OUT.  Massage for Family and Friends, taught by Ann McLaughlin, Massage Therapist.This is a hands-on workshop that will teach you how to give a massage. Please come prepared to relax!Reservations required.  120 minutes.

3:00 p.m. - Attend a Class! These classes have been designed specifically for Family Weekend. Reservations required, limited space. Classes may be subject to cancellation if not enough participants. Please note the different class lengths.

• Family Dance, taught by Professor Beth Robinson of the Theatre and Dance Department. A great opportunity for the whole family to get together and build some great memories on the dance floor! Please wear soft soled shoes or be prepared to dance barefoot. Reservations required.  60 minutes.

3:00 p.m. - Celebration of the Burke Memorial Scholarship, established in 2008 in memory of Captain William F. Burke Jr., a 1977 graduate of SUNY Potsdam and captain in the New York Fire Department. Captain Burke died in the line of duty when the second tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on September 11, 2001.

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Climbing Wall. The Leadership & Challenge Center's Climbing Facility is located in SUNY Potsdam's Maxcy Hall Field House. This is a 36' climbing wall with a real rock like surface which looks and feels like granite. The wall accommodates up to 6 climbers at once and has over 500 holds. Stop in and test out your climbing skills! The Center will have extra staff on hand to assist our families with their climb.

4:00 p.m. - Family Association Reception & Annual Meeting. Open for all current Family Association Partners and anyone else who may be interested.

5:30 p.m. - THE FAMILY WEEKEND DINNER IS NOW BOOKED!!!  Please call the office at 315-267-2117 (or e-mail sullivja@potsdam.edu) if you would like to be put on a waiting list.  Family Weekend Dinner. Enjoy a spectacular buffet brought to you by SUNY Potsdam Dining Services. Live entertainment and cash bar. $15.00 per person (in advance). Reservations required, limited seating. This event will book up fast so please register early.*** Your student has the option to purchase these dinner tickets (for the whole family) with his/her Bear Express or Flex spending account.We encourage you to consider this option - flex does not rollover and there is always a lot of unspent flex money at the end of the school year.Be sure to choose your payment option on the Registration Form.

6:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. - The Manhattan Transfer Pre-Concert Talk.

The Manhattan Transfer

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. - Community Performance Series presents The Manhattan Transfer. To order tickets or for further information, please visit the Community Performance Series (CPS) website at www.cpspotsdam.org or call the CPS box office at 315-267-2277. Please note that tickets do not go on sale until August 1. When ordering tickets for a Crane Major, please read all directions carefully.

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. - Casino Night. Come try your luck at blackjack, Texas holdem, craps, roulette and BINGO! Fun for the whole family! Free entrance and great prizes!Music, free food, and a cash bar.

SUNDAY, September 27, 2009

Breakfast is available at the following locations:

7:00 a.m. - Lehman Dining Hall opens for breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Student Union 5th World Grill opens for Breakfast