Is your student an incoming freshman in the fall of 2017? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to share with your student. This opportunity is the Ursa Experience – Maroon & White Overnight. The Ursa Experience, August 14-16, 2017, is a three-day, two-night off-campus adventure that will immerse your student in life at Missouri State University. They’ll build friendships with other new students, learn about Missouri State history and traditions, explore their personal strengths, and discover ways to Make Their Missouri STATEment.
If your student registers for the Ursa Experience, they will move-in to their residence hall (if they are living on campus) on the morning of August 14th. The kick-off for Ursa starts at 1pm in the Plaster Student Union Theatre. Check-in opens at 12 noon in the NE Lounge on the 2nd floor of the Plaster Student Union. The Ursa participants spend the day on campus August 14th, staying in their residence hall that night. Commuter students will spend the night at their homes. At 8am on Tuesday, August 15th participants load the buses and head to Windemere Resort where they will be the day and night getting to know their fellow Bears and participating in many fun activities. Students return to campus on Wednesday, August 16th at approximately 3pm. There is also an event the evening of August 16th, hosted by the Student Activities Council, welcoming them back to campus and the opportunity to meet upperclassmen.
Some of our previous participants have shared the reasons they think new students should participate in the Ursa Experience:
I loved URSA. It was an experience that I feel lucky to have had the chance to be a part of. It was a great chance to meet so many people and be able to make connections before starting school. It helped create a foundation that was easier to start from, especially for me since I didn’t know anyone coming into Missouri State. It’s the foundation and starting point that URSA helped to create that is the reason students should join, as well as the entire experience being a lot of fun.~Bailee Finn
Incoming students should attend URSA because it allowed me to meet some pretty cool people before classes started. It is always awkward not knowing people in your classes or around campus at first, even if your friends came with you to Missouri State from high school. Because of URSA, I was able to form friendships that I still have today. Whenever I see a friend I met at URSA around campus it’s nice to smile, wave and catch up between classes. The people you meet at Ursa will be in your life forever. ~Madeline McCartney
I think incoming students should go through URSA because it’s a great opportunity to learn about Missouri State Traditions that were not available at SOAR. Ursa is your first (or second if it’s after your SOAR program) opportunity to make lifetime friends, become involved in different programs at Missouri State, and even learn about the Missouri State Public Affairs Mission all while having fun! I had a blast in the Summer of 2016, and if I could go back I’d do it all over again! ~Moon Streitz
Encourage your student to find out more about the Ursa program here. There is limited financial assistance available to attend the Ursa Experience. Fill out the Financial Assistance form here. Registration has opened for the 2017 Ursa Experience – Maroon & White Overnight. Your student can register here!
If you have any questions, contact Priscilla Childress at (417) 836-3060.