Senior Week Returns, An Overview of What Seniors Can Expect

Miki Kawahara and Cassandra Stec provide information regarding the return of Senior Week 2022 with the ease of COVID. More information on the background, events and signups about the week are provided in the article.

Morgan Ross | maross2@butler.edu  

For the first time in several years, due to the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19, Butler will be celebrating the return of Senior Week for the class commencement of May 2022 and those graduating in August of 2022. In an attempt to maintain the traditions that are associated with Senior Week such as yearbooks, senior gifts and Wine Night, SGA has partnered with Butler’s University Program Council (UPC) and added new programs such as giveaways and off-campus events.

Senior Week is typically held between finals and graduation as a celebration of the senior class and their accomplishments. However, due to the lack of participation in previous years, it will now be held the week prior to finals (April 18-22) as there are seniors that may want to celebrate their accomplishments with their younger peers. All events throughout Senior Week are optional to students who will be graduating in May. Please note that certain events have limited capacity for sign-ups, so if interested in attending, look out for updates on Butler UPC and SGA.

On Monday, April 18, Senior Week begins with the Student Involvement Leadership banquet. This banquet is led by the Student, Involvement and Leadership (SIL) Office. The banquet will include an award ceremony and recognition for many students and their accomplishments. 

The activities for the week start on Tuesday with a trip to Fogo De Chao for a senior dinner with UPC. Sign-ups will be limited to around 25 due to the cost of the location. More information regarding sign-ups will be posted the week before Senior Week on Butler UPC’s Instagram.

Additionally, yearbooks will begin to be passed out in conjunction with various treats starting Tuesday afternoon from 3-5 p.m.. Yearbooks will continue to be passed out with treats on Wednesday evening, from 6-8 p.m., as well. Yearbooks can be picked up at Starbucks during these times or in the SIL office anytime after Wednesday. Yearbooks are free to all graduating students. Underclassmen are able to purchase yearbooks if they would like.

The fun events continue with a wine tasting event on Thursday, April 21. Sign-ups for this event took place this past Tuesday, April 5, as spots were limited to ensure an interactive experience. The wine tasting consists of students having the opportunity to try different wines, learn about wine composition and proper ettiquette and socialize with other students. Butler alumni donated around 100 bottles of wine for the event for students to drink. Additionally, Butler will be catering with Bon Appetit to provide charcuterie to pair with the wine.

On Friday, April 22,  the Alumni Association will be putting on an event in Butler’s Starbucks. All day there will be free Starbucks vouchers being distributed for seniors to come and grab when convenient. This is an opportunity not only for seniors to be celebrated, but also to learn more about the Alumni Association, should they want to join post graduation. 

To end the week, Saturday will include an event, Beyond Grateful, run through the alumni office. This event is for students and alumni to connect and network. This is a great opportunity for the Butler community to come together and create new connections and to learn more about one another from experienced Butler alum and hear about ways to stay connected to the university after graduating.

While not associated with Senior Week, UPC will be hosting their Barn Night on Sunday April 24. All students are welcome to attend and participate in a variety of fun activities. More information about this event can be found on Butler UPC’s Instagram in the coming week.

For more information about Senior Week and the upcoming events taking place, feel free to reach out to Miki Kawahara, mkawahar@butler.edu, or Cassandra Stec, cmstec@butler.edu, by email. Additionally more information on events can be found on either Butler SGA’s Instagram, butler.sga, or Butler UPC’s Instagram, butler.upc. For any inquiries related to SGA, please visit us at butlersga.org.