Countdown to Veishea 1996 begins this week, and all the colleges are planning different activities for students.

Lynn Reed, the education outreach co-chair, said the countdown gives the colleges a chance to get more involved in the Veishea celebration.

“There wasn’t much of a chance for the colleges to get involved because Friday was so busy with opening ceremonies and there are no classes on Saturday and Sunday,” Reed said.

The countdown starts today with the College of Design and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences both sponsoring activities.

Roger Baer, assistant dean for the College of Design, said he hopes all of the 1,770 students of the college will show up for the activities that are planned.

“We’d like to have everyone show up and enjoy the college with us,” Baer said. “We will have a 6- foot by 40-foot banner that all the students can sign. This is the first time we’ve done this as a college. Everybody can be remembered that way.”

The College of Design will be sponsoring a breakfast in the atrium of the Design building this morning from 9:30-10 a.m. Twister and indoor beach volleyball can be played anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at noon, lunch will be offered to those who donate a canned food item for the MICA food bank.

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences will start activities this morning at 9:30 a.m. with children from the Child Development lab joining in on the fun. Nicole Pitzen, president of the Family and Consumer Sciences council, said anyone can come and take part.

“When the children come over, we will be face painting and flying kites,” Pitzen said.

Students are encouraged to bring their own garment for tie-dying from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a taste panel from noon to 1 p.m. All of these events will take place on the MacKay lawn, just south of the building.

“The College of Family and Consumer Sciences has a variety of majors and activities,” Pitzen said. “Students will have to come over to see all the aspects of what we do.”

On Tuesday the College of Agriculture will be hosting a free barbecue and social from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all faculty, staff and students of the College of Agriculture. It will take place west of the Farm House museum.

At 11:30 a.m., WHO radio will be broadcasting a farm radio show west of Curtiss Hall. Students are encouraged to participate in the “Ag Olympics” starting at noon and ending at 2 p.m. Bail stacking and hog calling are some events that are included. Also at noon, Alpha Zeta honorary fraternity will be sponsoring a pie throwing contest to benefit the “Just for Kids” farm safety program.

The College of Veterinary Medicine will also be sponsoring activities on Tuesday. Beginning at 11 a.m., west of Curtiss Hall, there will be an information booth and a demonstration of a mock canine good citizen test.

Tuesday night, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be sponsoring the band Sister Machine Gun on the Memorial Union terrace. The event will be from 7-10 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend, but LAS students will receive a discount if they have their fee card. On Wednesday, the College of Business will be sponsoring games and contests from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., just west of Carver. At noon, there will be a panel of graduates and at 4 p.m. business awards will be given out in Carver 101. A barbecue will take place in the Carver veranda beginning at 6 p.m. On Thursday, the College of Engineering will be sponsoring a virtual reality campus tour and a display in 114 Marston Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also on Thursday, the College of Education will be hosting events in the Lagomarcino Courtyard. Amy Cody, vice president of the Association of Worksite Health Promotion, said there will be a free breakfast beginning at 7:45 a.m. At 8:15 a.m. there will be two speakers from the ISU Wellness Center.

“We hope students will bring a couple of friends and learn more about the Wellness Center and enjoy a free breakfast,” Cody said.

Cody said there would also be a one- or two- mile fun run/walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. Countdown to Veishea will conclude on Friday when the opening ceremonies take place at noon, with the honoring of torch runners and guest speaker Thomas Hargrove.