YOUNGSTOWN Youngstown State University students began their fall semester Monday with a variety of events welcoming them back to campus, from fitness classes to art exhibits and opportunities for community engagement. The week-long series of activities, many of which are open to the public, is set to continue through the weekend.

Campus-wide Welcome and Events

The start of the week includes a Welcome Tent set up on the Northwest Patio of Maag Library and an information table in Beeghly Hall, providing new and returning students with resources and guidance. The Student Government Association hosted "Coffee & Donuts with SGA," a social event on the Campus Core lawn.

Throughout the week, the university will offer a range of activities. Students can stop by a "No Such Thing as a Stupid Question!" table on Tuesday or grab a free chocolate chip cookie from the YSU ACE Union on Wednesday. The Resch Academic Success Center is hosting an Ice Cream Social on Thursday, and a Volunteer Fair will take place in Beeghly Hall the same day.

Arts and Recreation

The arts are also on display, with the Ron Copeland Exhibition running all week in the Solomon Gallery in Bliss Hall. A reception for the guest artist is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

For those looking to stay active, Campus Recreation has a full schedule of fitness classes, including HIIT, Yoga, and SPINNING. Many of these classes are open to the public. Additionally, the university will host "Puppy Palooza" at the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center on Tuesday, offering a chance for students and the community to interact with dogs.

Athletics and Community

The week is packed with athletic events, culminating in the YSU football team's home opener against Mercyhurst on Thursday night at Beede Field. The volleyball team will also host a tournament in Beeghly Center with matches against Duquesne, Canisius and Mercyhurst.

On Friday, the Sokolov Honors College and Division of Experiential Learning and Engagement will host a joint open house, "Learning, Leading, Serving," at Fok Hall, welcoming students to meet staff and learn about community engagement opportunities.

Student organizations, including the Black Student Union and SALSA, have also scheduled their first meetings of the semester, providing avenues for students to get involved on campus.

Follow this link for a detailed list of events on campus.