Fall Family Weekend: It’s not just for freshmen

Fall Family Weekend is coming up in a couple of weeks and there’s something organizers want to make sure you know: The event is for everyone. As in Everyone with a capital “E.”

There seems to be a notion that the event is only for freshmen and their families, but that’s not the case. Sophomores, juniors, seniors, even graduate students and their families and friends are not only welcome, they’re encouraged to attend.

Set this year for Sept. 15-17, Fall Family Weekend began in 2012 and “is a wonderful opportunity for families to plan a visit to Chattanooga to reconnect with their student after the first few weeks of the semester,” says Emelia Dunston, associate dean of students for Student and Family Engagement.

“With the weekend taking place the same time as our first home football game, it’s a great chance for them to get the full UTC experience while also seeing the best that Chattanooga has to offer.”

Here are the planned activities:

• Friday, Sept. 15. 7:30 p.m. Welcome Reception, IMAX Great Hall and Theater at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Meet UTC staff and their families in a relaxed atmosphere with appetizers and drinks will be served. Also on the bill is a special screening of the documentary Island of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D. The aquarium has a “Lemur Forest” exhibit filled with red-ruffed and ring-tailed lemurs. $25 per person.
• Saturday, Sept. 16. UTC vs. UT-Martin Football Game, Finley Stadium, 1826 Carter St. A UTC football game is more than just sitting in the stands and watching the two teams go at it. Several events take place, especially since this is the first home game of the season.
• Among the activities are the Tailgate Party at 4 p.m. in the parking lot next to Finley stadium. Barbecue and refreshments will be served.

In Mocs Flock, which takes place at 5:15 p.m. in the stadium, freshmen line up at the EPB Student Gate then rush across the field. All participants receive a T-shirt and Power C socks.

The game itself begins at 6 p.m. and you can use your UTC ID to get in free.

While UTC students get free access to all the events, family members and friends must by a $20 ticket, which covers everything except parking around the stadium, which is additional and usually ranges between $5 and $15 depending on the lot. Parking is cash only.

• Sunday, Sept. 17. 11:30 a.m. Farewell Brunch, University Center Tennessee Room. Before you depart for home, attend our Farewell Brunch with your student and representatives from the Division of Student Development. The brunch takes place in the University Center’s Tennessee Room. $12 per person.