Officials are expecting more than 4,000 freshmen to “Splash” across Nickerson Field on Monday during Boston University’s annual exposition of university groups and area businesses.
Student Activities Coordinator of Programs Eric Miller said he expects about 30 university departments to participate, including the Educational Resource Center, the Community Service Center and the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
The event gives students the opportunity to meet with representatives from various university departments and clubs while learning what programs and advantages they have to offer.
“The purpose of Splash is to offer new students the opportunity to learn a little about the resources that are available to them as Boston University students,” Miller wrote in an email. “The setup of the event is such that students can learn about important University offices and local area business while meeting new people and generally having a good time.”
Miller is also expecting about 15 to 20 local vendors to take part in Splash. Shaw’s Supermarkets, Fleet Bank, Mobilelime and Eastern Mountain Sports are among businesses that have already confirmed their participation.
In recent years, Healthworks gave out water bottles and Virgin Atlantic Airways gave out round-trip airfare from Boston to London.
Preparing for the event is a year-long task that occupies Miller and his entire staff. He coordinates with the Student Alumni Council, local vendors and BU departments and, also finds entertainment for the event.
Miller said that after all the exhaustive preparation is completed, Splash will be a successful event.
“The beginning of school is always hectic,” Miller said. “I think Splash provides new students a fun and informative day to not only learn about important resources but also to have fun and meet new people.”
The event is deliberately planned near the beginning of the school year and held on the same day as matriculation to ease freshman into university life.
“We do it to help facilitate the transition of people from all around the country and all around the world to our campus,” said BU spokesman Colin Riley in July. “After the matriculation ceremony the Splash activity is just a real nice opportunity to have fun and to go around and see all the student groups that are there and see if you might be interested in some of the activities those clubs offer and programs those clubs offer.”
Splash will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m on Nickerson Field. In the event of rain, it will be moved to the Fuller Building at 808 Commonwealth Ave., and will be held at the same time.