UTEP’s Miner Welcome is back to greet new and returning students with various activities, games and giveaways throughout campus. 

The events will occur during the first two weeks of classes, starting Monday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 28. 

Students can participate in more than 25 exciting activities to start the semester and celebrate their Miner pride. Students must present their Miner Gold Card before participating in any event. 

Monday, Jan. 17  

UTEP’s Housing and Residence Life will start the celebrations by hosting a campfire and hang out 7-9 p.m. at Miner Canyon and Miner Village.Free food and entertainment will be provided, and the event is a chance for new residents to meet their resident assistants and fellow residents. 

Tuesday, Jan. 18  

UTEP’s Student Engagement and Leadership Center (SELC) will host a first-day-of-school photoshoot to celebrate the start of the spring semester.  

The event will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.the Union Plaza South. Graduating seniors are encouraged to bring their caps and gowns or borrow one from SELC to motivate students to finish strong. 

UTEP’s Orange and Blue Spirit Crew will host Shoot for Two, in which students will have the opportunity to have a basketball shootout with other students and UTEP basketball players. The event will take place 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. 

Wednesday, Jan. 19 

UTEP’s Student Government Association (SGA) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), along with other organizations and departments will host a Health and Wellbeing Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union East on the third floor and Union Bridge. 

The fair is a three-day event and will provide students with information about campus health, wellbeing resources, academic support services, and campus safety initiatives. 

Students can participate in a series of interactive activities, including beat COVID rage painting, therapy dogs, oxygen bar, chair massages, dance lessons, and giveaways. 

UTEP’s SELC and Fraternity and Sorority Life will also host Meet the Greeks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union Plaza. The program allows students to meet with members of UTEP’s fraternities. 

Students can celebrate Miner pride to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams during UTEP’s Orange and Blue Spirit Crew Pep-Rally. 

The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union Plaza. The basketball players and coaches will be present at the event. 

Thursday, Jan. 20 

Students can receive a free yoga mat during polar yoga sessions. The indoor yoga classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Union East Templeton Suite in room 313. 

UTEP’s Recreational Sports Department will offer three yoga sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

UTEP Athletics will host Picks with Players. Students will have the opportunity to take pictures with Paydirt Pete and UTEP’s men’s and women’s basketball players from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. 

The first 150 attendees will receive clear drawstring UTEP bags at the Roast the Roadrunners event from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center. 

The event is a Fiesta of Roasting UTSA’s Roadrunner men’s basketball team with mariachi,  folklórico dancers, free pizza, and wings.  

Monday, Jan. 24 

UTEP’s SELC invites students to join student leaders for coffee to learn about leadership skills, workshops, and future leadership conferences. The gathering will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Union East. 

Thursday, Jan. 27 

Students can learn about UTEP’s Edge philosophy and receive free goodies. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Union East. 

UTEP’s FSL will host the Sorority Open House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tomas Rivera Conference Center. 

The program occurs every semester, and students can meet with members of UTEP’s sororities and learn more about their organizations.  

Friday, Jan. 28 

SELC will celebrate first-gen UTEP students, faculty, staff, and alumni during the First-Gen Friday event from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Union East. 

SELC will also kick off its Friday Night Flick movie series from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Union Cinema. Students can enjoy watching “Inside Out” with free popcorn and refreshments.  

For information on the events, visit www.minetracker.utep.edu/events ?query=miner%20 welcome. 

Victoria Rivas is the Arts and Culture Editor and may be reached at [email protected]; @VicRivas_18 on Twitter.