Instead of 80 days, students will only need one to go around the world.

The winning display of the Around the World contest sponsored by University Housing’s Diversity Committee will be announced at 4 p.m. today in a reception at Hopecote.

Kingston Apartments and all 13 residence halls competed in the event, which was cosponsored by the United Residence Hall Council.

The competing displays will be judged on education value, authenticity, appearance, creativity/originality and use of mixed media.

Each hall submitted its top three choices and was assigned one by the committee. The only criteria was than none of the choices from last year’s contest were eligible.

Students are given the opportunity to learn about other cultures by researching for their own displays and learning about different customs, practices, food dishes, clothing, music and socio-economic systems, said Donice Knight, the hall director at Melrose Hall and chair for the Diversity Committee.

According to Knight, students were able to participate by helping their hall build a display, as well as going around the world, visiting the displays and getting their passports signed at each country.

The judges for the event are A.D. Baxter of Minority Student Affairs, Todd Steed, advisor at the Center for International Education and Rosa Thomas from the Wellness Center.