Conéctate is a free early arrival program designed for first-year freshmen and transfer Latinx students to experience the fast-paced campus life that awaits at the University of Illinois. Conéctate will take place August 20-23, 2024
Encuentra tu Hogar, Register for Conéctate today!
Why Conéctate?
This three-day program will provide incoming First-Year and Transfer Latinx College Students in a predominately white institution (PWI) the opportunity to explore their Latinidad by empowering their sense of belonging and identity. Attendees will learn about the university’s academic rigor from current faculty, meet current students who will share how they balance all sorts of responsibilities, and acquire resources that will help them adjust and succeed on campus.
The program intends to open up spaces to learn and understand college experiences based on issues pertinent to Latinx students rather than framing one’s experience on current dominant narratives.
The program consists of three different modules:
- Sense of belonging
- Developing student-faculty relationship
- Balancing responsibilities
Conéctate at a Glance
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 |
- Morning: Bienvenidos! Welcome to campus! On Tuesday morning, participants will move into their assigned residence hall before the Conéctate program begins.
- Afternoon: Check Into Conéctate to receive your program materials, explore La Casa, and get ready for our Conéctate Kickoff to meet your group! We welcome our familias to join us for kickoff and Latinx family-specific workshops.
- Evening: Conéctate participants, familias, Latinx faculty & staff, and our campus partners will enjoy an evening program and dinner together. Following dinner, families will head home and participants will end the evening with activities & music at La Casa.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
- Morning: Enjoy breakfast in your residence halls and then kick start your day with Conéctate! We will take our Conéctate group & small group photos and guided campus tours from our Conéctate Staff Members. Wear your Conéctate shirt provided at check-in!
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch in residence halls with your team leaders followed by an afternoon of setting yourself up for success at Illinois with Mock Lectures, Resource Presentations, and development opportunities!
We will have a day full of fun activities, sessions, and our C-Cube program will start this day.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
- Morning & Afternoon: Join us for a day of solidarity & action through C-Cubed program in collaboration with The Circut & Indigenous Scholars Orientation!
- Evening: End a powerful day of C-Cubed by attending your first campus Welcome Week Event, Signs & Sounds to welcome you to campus!
Friday, August 23, 2024
- Meet at La Casa to attend Various Welcome Week events as a group including the New Student Convocation, Welcome Celebration, College Meetings, Transfer Orientation and more!
Please note, full participation throughout the entirety of the Conéctate program is required!
Family Programming During Conéctate
During the first day of Conéctate, August 20th, there will be programming for families. Students and families are together from check-in until the Welcome. After the welcome families will attend a presentation with our Director, and students will stay with each other.
- Family Presentation
The family presentation is geared towards families who are attending with their first student(s) who is the first in the family to attend college. The focus of the presentation is to provide tips and transition guidance from the perspective of the La Casa Cultural Latina Director, and their observation of what our Latinx first year students navigate and tips for families to consider. Following the family presentation families and students will be united for dinner together. - Dinner
Dinner will take place with families, students, and campus partners. Dinner will be provided free of charge. - Post Dinner
Students will remain in the program and families will depart and say their farewells after dinner, this can be an emotional time for the student and family members. Following farewells, students can head back to La Casa for activities!
Frequently Asked Questions
Housing/Billing Related
Is Conéctate free?
Yes! We cover housing and all the meals that are not provided by your meal plan. If you live in Private Certified Housing and meal plans have not started, we will cover your meals.
Should I be signing up for a Housing move in time slot?
Yes! Please make sure you select August 20th and a morning move in time slot because our programming will start as early as 1:30pm.
Moving in on August 20th means there is an early arrival fee, will I have to pay the fee?
No! If you move in on August 20th in the morning, you will not have to pay for the early arrival fee, if you’re moving in before August 20th, you are responsible for the cost.
How will Housing know I am on the early arrival list?
We communicate with University Housing so they know you are on the early arrival list and that we will be paying for that cost for you.
How does my early arrival fee get paid for? I see it on my university billing statement.
You will see the early arrival fee on your bill, please do not worry that is normal once Conéctate is over we send a final list to University Housing to cover the fee.
Logistical Questions
What if I cannot participate in all 3 days?
We encourage you to connect with La Casa once the semester starts instead. This program is designed to intentionally build off each day and missing any day(s) will interrupt in getting the full experience.
What does Conéctate provide?
We will provide a Conéctate shirt, C-Cube shirt, food, supplies for activities, community, and an experience you will never forget!
What is C-Cube?
C-Cube is when we have a cross-programming model with our lovely cultural center neighbors Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center and Native American House. C-Cube focuses on the following: Solidarity, Empowerment, and Community. This program starts on August 16th and continues to August 17th.
What will we be doing August 18th?
Your leaders will guide you to all the Welcome Back celebrations including your college meetings. We will not have a formal Conéctate program on this day.
Other Questions
My family is worried about me attending the program, what should I tell them?
Have your family call us and they can talk to our staff or Director, we have bilingual staff that can also communicate with them in Spanish if they are worried. In the past when families called us and talked to our staff, we helped ease the transition they are experiencing.