The Class of 2028 enjoyed an inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly lunch at the Crafton Pavilion during Welcome Week on Aug. 20. 

Rainbow Lunch is an opportunity for new students to form connections, feel welcomed in their new home and mingle with staff and upperclassmen. 

Senior Lilly Moritz, SOS Staff Member, emphasizes the detriment of inclusivity on campus and its role in students’ success.

“We have such a diverse demographic here at UCA, and I think it’s really important to a lot of people on campus to up that representation,” Moritz said.

“We’re all grown-ups, we have class, we have extracurriculars, we have jobs, and it can get really tough, so building a community like this is the key to making it all the way to the end of college, having lifelong friends and graduating successfully… I’ve spoken to a lot of students, and let those who are in the LGBTQIA+ community know that they are seen, they are heard, they are supported, and that we want to increase accessibility and resources.”

Carly Campbell, freshman, says events like Rainbow Lunch are important for people from small towns to feel like they have a sense of community.

“Having a campus like UCA where they can come from these towns and feel included…it’s really nice and it saves a lot of lives,” Campbell said. 

Campbell met new friends while attending Rainbow Lunch and other Welcome Week events.

“Meeting new people has been really fun… it’s scary but I’ve been going up to people at lunch and it’s been going well, I’ve made a couple of friends.”

Katie Cottier, freshman, says that an event like Rainbow Lunch encourages students to continue their education at UCA by helping them develop support groups and friendships. 

“You need to have friends, you need to have a community, and not feel alone because college is hard enough. Going through it alone would be 10 times harder,” Cottier said.

Rainbow Lunch and other Welcome Week events allowed many freshmen transitioning into college the opportunity to have fun, meet new people and relieve anxieties about college. 

Freshman Abby Pillow said her favorite part of Welcome Week has been attending the events on campus. 

“The little lunches that they have been hosting have been really fun and it is a great way to meet new people,” Pillow said. 

Pillow looks forward to classes starting and learning more about her major.

“I’m taking biology. I’m a biology major, so that stuff is fun to me.”

Carly Campbell shared her excitement for Battle of the Halls while wearing her team colors. 

“I’m also excited for classes to start, actually getting into my major and taking classes pertinent to that, rather than just gen eds,” Campbell said.

Senior Lily Moritz said her favorite event was Casino Night.

“I was a blackjack dealer, so it was definitely a lot of fun because you get to spend more time with the freshmen and also joke around with them. The whole point is to have fun,” Moritz said.