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Family and Friends Weekend 2018

October 19-21
Aug 17, 2018

Join current students, parents, families, and the campus community in celebrating Salem State University through a series of educational, cultural, social and recreational events that ignite a sense of unity and Viking Pride. Don't miss out on this Salem State tradition!

Register for events online! All events are complimentary unless otherwise noted. 

Schedule of Events

Friday, October 19

“Harvey”

7:30 pm | Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts

Elwood P. Dowd has a best friend that nobody else can see – a six-foot white rabbit named Harvey. Elwood's socially obsessed sister Veta loves her brother but becomes unglued as she tries to conceal his eccentricities while trying to find a suitable husband for her wallflower daughter, Myrtle Mae. Her attempt to have Elwood committed boomerangs into hysterical chaos while Elwood remains unchanged by the rigid world of rules he continues to ignore.  Seventy-five years after its premiere, Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work remains heartwarming and hilarious. It also exposes our compulsion to silence those who do not conform to what is “correct” and our resistance to truly hearing those around us.

A limited number of complimentary tickets to the play are available for those who register online by Tuesday, October 16.

Gassett After Dark: Blacklight Dodgeball

7 pm-12 am | Gassett Fitness Center, O’Keefe Complex

Teams will compete against each other in the glow of blacklight to see who will be the final team standing. Neon t-shirts, neon dodgeballs, shirt paint, body paint, and glow sticks will all be provided, making this a night you won’t want to miss!

Tournament open to all Salem State students and family members at least 18 years of age with a government-issued photo ID. Join your student on a team or compete on a team of parents and family members against the students!

Families must register by Friday, October 5 to participate.

Saturday, October 20

Salem Greenspace Service Project 

Salem Greenspace | 10 am-12 pm

Join the Center for Civic Engagement at Salem Greenspace, a community garden providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the people of Salem. Dress comfortably to be able to walk together and volunteer at this local garden.

Meet at the check-in area on the first floor of the North Campus Commons Dining Hall. 

Alpha Omega Psi Induction Ceremony 

10:15-11:30 am | Upper North Commons Dining Hall

Twenty-nine upper-class students will be inducted and honored at the annual Alpha Omega Psi induction ceremony in the Upper North Campus Dining Commons. Students will be sworn into the honor society by Provost David Silva and will be awarded a certificate and medallion to be worn as part of their commencement regalia in three years.

*This event is for Alpha Omega Psi inductees and their friends and family only.

Jazz Brunch

11:30 am | North Campus Commons Dining Hall

The Jazz Brunch is $10 per family. 

Meet President John D. Keenan at a special brunch for all of our Viking families. Sponsored by the Resident Student Council and Parents and Family Council. 

Field Hockey vs. Framingham State

12 pm | Alumni Field, O’Keefe Sports Complex

Bring your Viking spirit and cheer on the women's field hockey team as they take on Framingham State University. 

Art Gallery Exhibit: A Sense of Place

12-2 pm | Winfisky Art Gallery, Ellison Campus Center

Featuring the works of Fred Lynch and Michael McLaughlin

Family and Friends Workshops

Choose from one of the sessions below. All workshops are offered on Saturday, October 20.

Campus Tours

12 pm or 1 pm |  North Campus Dining Commons Dining Hall

Tour the campus with our Admissions Ambassadors. Meet at the check-in area on the first floor of the North Campus Commons Dining Hall.

Salem: We're Much More than Halloween

12:30-1 pm or 1:10-1:40 pm | Ellison Campus Center, Veterans Hall, Front Room

Destination Salem will share what makes Salem such an exciting place to live, learn, and play all year.

Study Abroad 101

12:30-1 pm or 1:10-1:40 pm | Ellison Campus Center, Veterans Hall, Back Room

Find out about the fabulous opportunities to study abroad from our Center for International Education staff members. Learn how to organize your classes and plans to study in another country.

A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

12:30-1 pm or 1:10-1:40 pm | Ellison Campus Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Room

Dean Emerson Baker, a noted Salem Witch Trials subject matter expert, discusses his latest book which considers the critical - and often overlooked - political side to the events in 1692. He traces the story through to the present day and considers the ways Salem both revels in and reviles its witch trial heritage.

1637 Tavern Tour

12:30 pm | Meet at the Gassett Fitness Center

Discount admission for the 1637 Tavern Tour, a walking tour that provides guests with a complete historical overview of Salem’s most infamous taverns, including the Blue Anchor Tavern, where the initial examinations of “the accused” began during the witch trials of 1692. Meet at the Gassett Center at 12:30 pm to travel downtown for the 1637 Tavern Tour which starts at 1 pm. Register online for this $15 per person tour. 

Downtown Salem Shuttle

1-5 pm | Meet at the Gassett Fitness Center 

Ride the Salem State Shuttle from the Gassett Fitness Center to the downtown corner of Lafayette and Front Streets. Continuous shuttles run between these locations.

Free admission for Salem State students at Peabody Essex Museum and Salem Witch Museum.

Women's Socer vs. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

3 pm | Alumni Field 

Bring your Viking spirit and cheer on the women's soccer team as they take on MCLA.

Planetarium Display

6:30 pm or 7:30 pm | Meier Hall Planetarium, North Campus

See the moon and the night sky (weather permitting) with Salem State Chemistry and Physics Professor Luke Conlin. Register by Tuesday, October 16 for one of two times scheduled. Seating is limited.

“Harvey”

7:30 pm | Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts

Elwood P. Dowd has a best friend that nobody else can see – a six-foot white rabbit named Harvey. Elwood's socially obsessed sister Veta loves her brother but becomes unglued as she tries to conceal his eccentricities while trying to find a suitable husband for her wallflower daughter, Myrtle Mae. Her attempt to have Elwood committed boomerangs into hysterical chaos while Elwood remains unchanged by the rigid world of rules he continues to ignore. 

A limited number of complimentary tickets to the play are available for those who register online by Tuesday, October 16.

Sunday, October 21

Salem State Bookstore Open

10 am-2 pm | Central Campus 

Take a look at the Salem State bookstore and stock up on SSU apparel. 

Superfan Brunch

11 am-1 pm | Marsh Hall Dining Common, Central Campus

Join your student for brunch. Students use their meal plans while visiting families dine for free, courtesy of Chartwells Food Service.

Glass Studio Demonstrations

11 am or 12 pm | Glassworks Studio, Enterprise Center

Have you ever seen glassblowing live? Come to the Glassworks Studio for one of two free demonstrations in the art of glassblowing with Art + Design Professor John Volpacchio. The demo is free but space is limited. Please register online.

New England Patriots at Chicago Bears

1-4 pm | Marsh Hall Dining Common, Central Campus

Cheer on the Patriots on the big screen! Snacks provided. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Chartwells

Student Government Association

Resident Student Council

Program Council

Art + Design

Center for Academic Excellence

Center for Civic Engagement

Center for Creative and Performing Arts

Center for International Education

Chemistry and Physics

Executive Vice President’s Office

First Year Experience

Gassett Fitness Center

Institutional Advancement

Salem State Athletics

Salem State Theatre

Student Life

Where to Stay

Boston Peabody Marriott, Peabody MA

Discounted room rate of $219 per night/two-night minimum stay. Contact the Marriott directly at 978.977.9700. 

Access and Accommodation 

To request an accommodation for any of these events, please contact disability services at 978.542.6217, TTY 978.542.7146, video phone 866.881.7097 by October 5.

Registration

Register for Family and Friends Weekend online now! Please note that all registration fees are non-refundable. 

For more information about Family and Friends Weekend, please contact family@salemstate.edu or call 978.542.7455.

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