Weber State hosted The Late Night at Weber for all of the incoming freshman Friday, Aug. 22 from 8-11 p.m.

This event was geared toward helping incoming freshmen feel welcome and excited to start the school year. Not only did this event help excite students but it also helped familiarize them with the campus and present them with all of the opportunities available.

“I feel that they will really be able to make a connection with campus because during the orientations this summer, our feeling was that it was great that they were able to get a lot of their academic needs taken care of,” said Joe Favero, WSUSA president. “But a huge part of orientation across the nation is making that connection with your campus.”

For incoming freshman, Late Night at Weber was piggybacked with orientation. A lot of the carnivals they have done in the past were removed to allow students to meet with their counselors and get all of their academic needs met.

“I am coming from out of state, from southern California and so I just want to meet new people and make friends,” said Miles Bortez. “Try not to get lost, I have done that already and school hasn’t even started yet.”

This event was also hosted in order to decrease the amount of stress and anxiety that the new freshmen experience during the first few weeks at college.

“Essentially this event is to kick off the new year,” said Jessica Oyle, student affairs assessment coordinator. “This was to pull together our first year students and give them something to familiarize themselves with the campus environment and give them a chance to meet others.”

From 8-8:30 p.m., President Wight and Favero welcomed students to campus, letting them know about the construction on campus and bringing them up to speed about how they can get involved.

“It’s designed to be kind of a party and a way to get students excited about college,” President Wight said. “I think it’s going to be one important way we welcome students to campus and to their new lives.”

Following the welcome, a glow-themed acrobatic performance was put on to entertain the students. To get the students to actively participate in this event there was a photo booth for their use.

Last minute campus tours left the Union building at 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. The bookstore was open during the event for students who still hadn’t purchased their books and supplies.

There was a dance hosted in the Union ballrooms at 8:45 p.m. Slushies, popcorn, churros and pretzels were served in the “cool down” room.To end the night there was a balloon drop. Most balloons had a prize inside for students to gather once they fell to the floor.

“I have spent a lot of time here for other activities and fell in love with this school,” Madison Zaude said. “I look forward to helping everybody have a great time.”