Unlike the traditions of resolutions and the dropping of the ball in Times Square, the Chinese celebrate their New Year’s in a different way.

To bring the Chinese Year of the Dragon to campus, the University Board cultural arts will provide supplies for students to make paper lanterns from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday in Andrews Hall lobby.

Karla Centeno, the cultural arts coordinator for the University Board, said while students are making their paper lanterns they can learn more about the Chinese culture.

The lanterns are made in China to hang on houses as well used in lantern parades.

“We found out that the Chinese New Year’s starts this month and more importantly that in China, they have a lantern festival celebrate their New Year’s,” Centeno said. “We figured it would be a creative idea to have paper lanterns for students to decorate.”

Centeno said the Chinese Student Association will be speaking at the event.

“This year is the Year of the Dragon,” Centeno said. “The dragon is associated with the Chinese culture and I think it’ll be interesting to see how (the Chinese Student Organization) feel about this year being the Year of the Dragon.”

Centeno said students do not know how other cultures celebrate their New Year’s.

“We will be able to find out about all those different types of things that are similar and different to our traditions,” Centeno said.

Centeno said the Chinese Student Organization will be sharing what other traditions they have that most Americans do not know about.

“It’s just a different way of celebrating New Year’s than we are here,” Centeno said.

Centeno said students can come in throughout the day to make a lantern without staying the whole time.

“We tried keeping a big segment of time so student can come experience the event and learn about the culture,” Centeno said.

Some of the other traditions that the Chinese do include cleaning and decorating their house, honoring the animal of the year, good luck presents, new clothes and family gatherings.

The Chinese clean their house to get rid of bad luck and welcome good luck and decorate their houses using statues of the animal of the year to honor the animal.

Centeno said she thinks this is a great way for students to experience a different culture.

“It’s a great idea to have a craft thing and learn at the same time,” Centeno said.

The University Board will supply all the supplies to make the lanterns and symbols at the celebration.

“I hope our students take the opportunity to come out, not just to enjoy the art, but also the learning experiences,” Centeno said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.