Take a 'Fresher' approach to Sunderland
Released: Wednesday 12th September 2012 at 11:42
THE University of Sunderland will welcome up to 6,000 new students on campus this weekend (September 15-16) with one of the most exciting Freshers’ events in its history.
As well as hosting the traditional activities surrounding Freshers’ Fortnight, from settling students into life in halls, promoting services and events to socialising with new friends, Sunderland this year is the only university in the UK to introduce a music festival in the mix.
This is all part of the University’s commitment to broadening the range of cultural activities it provides to a diverse range of students welcomed onto campus from all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, from more than 100 countries.
The three-day home grown Split Festival, now in its fourth year and held at Ashbrooke Sports Club, runs from Friday, September 21st to Sunday, September 23rd, and this year is running as part of Sunderland’s Freshers.
Infamous punk legend Johnny Rotten and his band Public Image Limited are headlining the event. The former Sex Pistol, whose real name is John Lydon, will headline the middle day of the festival on Saturday, September 22.
Public Image Ltd will be supported by Yorkshire band Pulled Apart By Horses, who appeared at Leeds Festival. The Futureheads were earlier this year announced as the headline act for the festival’s final day, and will be supported by Saint Etienne.
There will also be performances from a number of local artists, including Field Music, The Unthanks and the Lake Poets.
Split Festival will open with a free film night on Friday, September 21, before two days of music acts, while there will also be food tents, a vintage fair and a folk and comedy tent. Teesside stand-up Patrick Monahan is the comedy headliner on September 22.
Lesley Griffin, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, said: “This is the first time in our history that we have tied in a major festival with our Freshers’ offer and it’s incredibly exciting for all those involved.
“We wanted to make Freshers even more attractive to our students as they’re about to begin their journey with Sunderland. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and as well as developing the social aspect of the traditional event, we have introduced a cultural element that will appeal to students from 18 upwards, to families as well as our international students. The festival has a real family friendly feel and we have arranged lots of excursions to well known places across the North East for student getting to know the area.”
She added: “Freshers is an opportunity for the University to showcase who we are, what we do and what we’re all about. As well as the fun cultural element, there will also be plenty of information about support services, higher education, joining sports clubs and activities and what the city and region has to offer them during their time of study.”
Freshers begins this weekend with the traditional Meet and Greet, when new students find out all about life on campus.
And the arrival of new students to Sunderland does not just have a positive impact on the University, but also on the city and region, from an economic and cultural contribution.
Lesley added: “We are in no doubt about the immense contribution that all of our students make to the economy both locally and regionally. But their contribution extends further than this as they bring with them a diverse range of cultures which has a positive impact on the wider community.”
For more information about University of Sunderland Freshers log on to: http://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/
For more information on the Split Festival log on to: http://www.splitfestival.com/