Carbondale’s Saluki Startup: A Welcoming Event for New and Returning Students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Saluki Startup, a welcome festival for new and returning students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU), is set to take place on August 14th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at SIU’s Student Services Building pavilion. This event is a collaborative effort between SIU and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

The Taste of Carbondale, one of the highlights of Saluki Startup, will offer attendees the chance to sample delicious food and beverages from local establishments. Food and beverage businesses are invited to sponsor the event, but all types of local businesses are encouraged to participate. Sponsors will have the opportunity to engage with attendees during the event and showcase their company logos on the event website.

Sponsorship packages for the Taste of Carbondale start at $500 and will help cover the costs of providing food samples. Local businesses interested in becoming a sponsor can contact William Lo at the Chamber of Commerce at 618-549-2146 or wlo@carbondalechamber.com by May 31st.

Jennifer Phillips, director of New Student Programs, explained that Taste of Carbondale is held on new student move-in day as part of Saluki Startup. This event helps new students become acclimated to the campus, make new friends, and experience more of SIU before classes begin. The organizers hope that this collaborative effort between SIU and local businesses will create a welcoming environment for new students and help them feel more comfortable on campus.