The furniture is in. The paint is dry. The Minervas – Union's seven "living rooms"— are ready.
Now comes the fun part, what may just be the most unusual opening of an academic year as the College kicks off what has been called the most important innovation in campus life since the College went co-ed in 1970.
First-year students will be among the first to see the new Minerva Houses when they arrive for orientation on Saturday, Sept. 4, to pick up their room keys and meet with fellow House members. (All students, faculty and many staff are affiliated with a Minerva House.)
On Sunday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m., each of the seven houses will have a dinner for their members followed at 7 p.m. by "First Night," an evening in which campus members can wander between Minerva Houses to sample each one's unique entertainment.
Among the "First Night" offerings, Golub House will have Sumo wrestling and a Velcro wall; Wold House, a Jackson Pollock party; Blue House, a festival of percussion featuring "Blue House Group" (yes, they'll be painted); Beuth House, a bungee run; and Green House, a festival of films by Union students.
Dessert caps off "First Night" at 10 p.m.
Then on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 5:30 p.m., all Minerva House members will eat together in large tents near the Nott Memorial. An outdoor opening convocation, another first, starts at 7:30 p.m. in Library Plaza (rain location: Memorial Chapel). The evening ends with dessert and dancing in a large tent near the Nott.
For details about the Minerva Houses, visit http://www.union.edu/minervas