Due to Thursday's weather forecast of rain, possibly including thundershowers, and wind, the Unity Block Party is postponed. A makeup date has not been determined.
Old Dominion University will celebrate and welcome back its many unique and diverse campus communities with its inaugural Unity Block Party on Sept. 22 at Kaufman Mall.
The event was originally set for Sept. 13, but was rescheduled due to weather.
From 5 to 7 p.m., students, faculty and staff will be able to connect and enjoy music, performances, creative activities and food. The party is coordinated by the Office of Intercultural Relations in Student Engagement and Enrollment Services (SEES).
Kaufman Mall will be transformed into 13 "neighborhoods," with each area reflecting student organizations, chaplain neighbors and academic and university departments. Students can stroll along "Reignwood Drive" to visit with Greek Life and student organizations, take a spin through "Big Blue's Playground" to learn about recreation and wellness at ODU and visit "Crown Heights" to connect with first-year and first-generation Latinx, Black and Foster U students.
The Unity Block Party will also include the Monarchs Give Back: Community Service Initiative. Each neighborhood will collect nonperishable items for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
"It is a time of festivities and fellowship, which we all need," said Lesa Clark, executive director for the Office of Intercultural Relations. "The 'neighborhood' concept was designed so that we can visually see our Monarch neighbors and physically visit and form relationships with some of our neighborhoods."
Each neighborhood has captured the vision of what it means to be part of a diverse and inclusive community and is motivated to make this a memorable day for all Monarchs, Clark said.
"We wanted these few hours to be a time for celebrating who we are and to experience the joy of engaging and learning about others," Clark said.
Neighborhood Guide
Explore the ODU community neighborhoods to meet with their "residents":
- Monarch Heights
Academic Initiatives and the Academic Resource Center
High Impact Learning Initiatives
Trio Student Support Services
Transfer Initiatives and the Transfer Center
Completion Initiatives and Advisor Support
First Year Student Success
- First Reign Lane
Center for Major Exploration & Mane Success Coaching
Cybersecurity
Student Support Services
ePortfolios & Digital Initiatives
Academic Success Initiatives & Support
First Star Old Dominion University Academy
Retention Initiatives, Dean of Student Office
- Paws Garden
University Chaplains Association
- Big Blue Avenue
ODU University Athletics
Big Blue
Monarch Cheer and Dance Teams
- Reignwood Drive
Student Government Association
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Student organizations
Dean of Students
- Big Blue's Playground
Recreation & Wellness
Outdoor Adventure Program
Aquatics
Health Promotion
Intramurals
Sports Clubs
Facilities
- Community Circle
Housing and Residence Life
- Mane Lane
Military Connection
Women & Gender Equity Center
Male Initiatives
Office of Educational Accessibility
- Crown Heights
Estudiantes Latinos Advisory Board
Asian Students in America
Black Leadership Advisory Council
Hispanic Latino Employee Association
Coalition Black Faculty & Administrators
Asian Caucus
- Explorer's Den
The Graduate School
The Center for Global Engagement
Visa Service and Immigration Advising
Study Abroad
International student community
- Monarch Maker Shore
Office of Admissions (Undergraduate, Graduate, International)
Office of Financial Aid
- Pawsibility Place
Old Dominion University Libraries
- Red Planet Road
Barry Art Museum