Believe it or not, there are a few incoming Kansas University students who might not know about the Rock Chalk chant.

That’s why there’s “Hawk Week.”

The traditional week of orientation at KU will involve the arrival of thousands of new students on Sunday, teaching them to “Wave the Wheat” and sending them on their way to their first class Thursday morning.

Along the way, new students will learn more about the Lawrence community and KU campus.

“We’ve been getting lots of calls in the offices from people wanting to come help out,” said Hawk Week coordinator Shanda Hurla. “We’re ready to welcome all of these new students to campus and get them graduated in four years.”

Incoming students can work out with Lawrence’s most popular public workout leader, Don “Red Dog” Gardner, at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Memorial Stadium. Several city groups, including churches, also have barbecues planned throughout the week, Hurla said.

More than 10,000 new students, returning students, faculty, staff and community members will participate in events this week. Residences and scholarship halls open Sunday, and the games and free food at Unionfest will begin at 8 that night at the Kansas Union.

Other new Hawk Week events this year include a Nontraditional Students Meet and Greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hawk’s Nest on the Kansas Union’s first floor. Also, the Dole Institute of Politics will sponsor a dinner for new students at 6 p.m. Wednesday before Convocation and an ice cream social following it.

Hurla said other than all of the fun Hawk Week events, it can be a critical time for the university.

“Hawk Week is big at helping students be retained at KU, because it’s the first few days that they get a feel for if the community is welcoming,” she said.

The events also include academic tips, such as class schedule and library tours.

At Traditions Night, new students learn the rituals of waving the wheat, singing “Crimson and the Blue” and saying the Rock Chalk chant.

“We always have our big Traditions Night on Monday night that is becoming nationally known. I have a lot of universities call me throughout the year asking how we do it and what we do,” Hurla said.