First on returning CU students' agenda: Getting smashed?

Today, students start returning to the University of Colorado at Boulder for the fall semester, and school officials and local cops plan to greet them somewhat differently. CU's got a range of activities on the schedule, including an "Ice and Dice" party -- think indoor ice skating and a poker tournament -- slated for tonight. As for the Boulder Police Department, well, it's stepping up DUI enforcement on Friday and Saturday, just in case the latest group of Buffs would prefer sucking down some Jack to carving figure eights or playing Texas Hold 'Em. Read about both after the jump.

University of Colorado at Boulder release:

CU-Boulder to Welcome New Students With Convocation, 'Global Jam' and Array of Activities Starting Aug. 17

Dozens of activities await new students at the University of Colorado at Boulder starting Aug. 17 including a welcome convocation hosted by Chancellor Phil DiStefano and a "Global Jam" international food fest.

The free events are an opportunity for new students to get acquainted with campus and the surrounding community before fall semester classes begin Aug. 24. The activities are scheduled in addition to orientation sessions that cover the details of class registration, policies and student services at each college.

New students will gather for the mandatory New Student Convocation at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 21 at Folsom Field. The official gathering welcomes students to the university, conveys the meaning and responsibilities of their entry into the academic community and will feature remarks by DiStefano, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Julie Wong and University of Colorado Student Union Tri-Executive Thomas Higginbotham, plus a performance by the Golden Buffalo Marching Band.

Immediately following the convocation, attendees will proceed to "Global Jam" on Farrand Field for international food and live music from noon to 2 p.m. Offerings will include basmati rice with fava beans and dill, Persian tomato cucumber salad, lavash, barbecue pork bao with plum sauce, Kiwi lamb burgers, vegetable curry pie, Bavarian cream puffs and chef-carved roasted pineapple.

"Global Jam" is included in the student meal plan and is available for faculty, staff and Buff OneCard holders. Other members of the CU-Boulder community and guests may purchase meal wristbands on site for $6 each.

Some other highlights include:

o Thursday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., the CU Student Recreation Center and Residence Hall Association jointly host "Ice and Dice" at the recreation center where students are invited for indoor ice skating, rock climbing, volleyball, badminton, ping pong, live music and a full fake money casino, including a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament and prize giveaways.

o Friday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m., the CU Environmental Center in the University Memorial Center, room 355, will hold an open house where new students may tour the center and learn about the sustainability programs that make CU-Boulder a model "green" campus.

o Friday, Aug. 21, from 8 p.m. to midnight, students are invited to the "UMC Welcome Fest" featuring live salsa music and dance lessons, a street ball tournament, casino games, bowling, pool, food and prize giveaways.

o Saturday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., students are invited to a residence hall picnic on the Regent Administrative Center lawn.

o Saturday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m. (gates open at 6:30 p.m.), CU Program Council will present Pretty Lights with Savoy and DJ Hot to Death in concert at Farrand Field.

For a complete schedule of CU-Boulder new student welcome activities visit www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/nsw.

Boulder Police Department release:

Police plan increased DUI enforcement Aug. 21 and Aug. 22

Boulder police are planning increased enforcement aimed at getting drunken drivers off the road this weekend. A DUI checkpoint will be set up on Saturday, Aug. 22, starting at about 9 p.m. on Broadway, just north of Baseline Road. Multiple officers will be working to stop vehicles in this area.

On Friday, Aug. 21, and again on Saturday, Aug. 22, one additional officer will conduct a saturation patrol in the downtown and Hill areas, specifically enforcing driving-related alcohol laws.

The extra staffing for the saturation patrols has been made possible as a result of $50,000 in Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (LEAF) funds provided by the state of Colorado. This money is dedicated to providing overtime DUI enforcement throughout 2009. The department also received $24,900 in DUI checkpoint funds, which will be used to support Saturday night's checkpoint. The police department is matching this grant with $7,400 in funds and materials. Officers will conduct five DUI checkpoints during the summer using this allocation.

In addition, the department contributes the $27,646 in DUI enforcement funds.