The University is hosting its annual Welcome Back Day today from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the quad.The Welcome Back Day Committee, consisting of several campus departments, is sponsoring the event, which is themed “Chart Your Course.” Student organizations, University departments and local businesses will set up tables to show students the resources they have to offer.

There will be more than 40 tables this year and the Welcome Back Day Committee will host a contest to find the most spirited group on campus. The contest will be based on creativity, use of Nicholls colors, incorporation of the theme and student participation.

Michael Matherne, co-chair of the Welcome Back Day Committee, said that the department of nursing won last year, so they will have to defend their title.

“We tried to pick a theme that could be a number of things,” Matherne said. “Any excuse for faculty to dress up always goes well.”

Matherne said that there will be a pep rally for all fall sports. Charlie Stubbs, the new head football coach, and TeAna Tramel, the new head volleyball coach, will be there to welcome the students and tell them what they can expect from football and volleyball in the fall.

Matherne said that Welcome Back Day is an opportunity for Nicholls faculty and staff to interact with the community.

“We want students to know that they’re in the right place,” Matherne said.

Sabrina Laurent, co-chair of the Welcome Back Day Committee, said that Coke and Pepsi representatives will be giving away drinks at the event, and the Student Programming Association will provide food, including jambalaya, through Sodexo.

“Students can walk up and get a little lunch between classes and enjoy a drink,” Laurent said. “Some other groups on campus will even have snowballs and other treats.”

“It’s a collaborative effort across the campus to put on Welcome Back Day,” Laurent said. “We want our students to know how much we appreciate them.