Faculty, student interaction highlight of May Week
COLUMBUS –A faculty-staff scavenger hunt, the opportunity to “Rock the Block” and a “teeter-totter” marathon are just a few of the activities during May Week at The Ohio State University, May 6 through May 15.
May Week is a recently restored university tradition that includes a series of programs encouraging interaction among students, faculty and staff while showcasing university organizations and departments.
“…because there’s a lot to celebrate” is the theme of the week-long celebration. Organized by the Ohio State University Alumni Association and its Student-Alumni Council, the activities incorporate academics, wellness, recreation, diversity, athletics and community service.
“The activities are representative of the many areas that contribute to the overall Ohio State experience,” said Ellen Regennitter, May Week Steering Committee chairwoman.
“May Week is a great opportunity to celebrate spring while reminding students of the many factors that contribute to the university’s uniqueness.”
In the early 1900s, the focus of May Week was a series of theater productions called “May Fete.”
By 1939, the university tradition evolved to showcase class honoraries. Events included the selection of the May Queen, a carnival, and the Lantern Duties event in which the senior class presented the “obligations of senior year” to the junior class with a
“passing of the flame” ceremony.
Classes were cancelled to allow students to participate in watermelon and pie eating contests, bicycle races and pajama parades.
The May Week tradition ended in 1970 as a result of the Vietnam War. Students brought back the tradition in 2003 and created programming that focused on faculty, student and staff interaction, said Felix Alonso, May Week Committee adviser.
“May Week gives students, faculty and staff the chance to connect outside the typical classroom setting,” Alonso said. “Such connections, combined with extra-curricular activities, positively contribute to the overall student experience and what it means to be a true Buckeye.”
The relationships formed have the potential to be long-lasting.
“Beyond being an academic resource in the classroom, faculty and staff can assist students as they move forward in their professional careers,” Regennitter said. “Students could use the connections they make at Ohio State throughout their entire lives.”
Students can also learn fun facts about the faculty and staff, such as their favorite novels and pets’ names during the Faculty-Student Scavenger Hunt. Participants will gather the fun facts through email, web sites or faculty office hours, and then submit their answers online.
Many of the events involve service and volunteering.
“Volunteering is a great way for members of the Ohio State community to work together to achieve a common goal outside of the traditional academic setting,” Regennitter said. “Since outreach is an extremely important aspect of the university, we wanted to make sure that May Week provided people with the opportunity to give back.”
“Rock the Block,” is from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday (5/7). During this single-day community outreach event, students, faculty and staff will participate in service projects at more than 80 sites throughout the campus community and Columbus. Projects vary between painting classrooms at local elementary schools, assisting in nursing homes and replanting vegetation on traffic islands.
For a total of 24 hours, teeter-totters will be set up on the South Oval for the “Teeter-Totter Marathon.” This charity fundraiser will benefit Turning Point, a local daycare for children from low-income families. The event is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday (5/6) and Saturday (5/7) on the South Oval.
In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of recycling, “Dump and Run” is an opportunity for the university community to get rid of unwanted clothes, furniture, books, electrical appliances and other items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday (5/12) the west lawn of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Everything collected will be sold in a public yard sale during Welcome Week in September.
Other May Week events include “Late Night at the Adventure Recreation Center,” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday (5/6) at the Center, 855 Woody Hayes Dr. During this event the university community can get a first-hand glance at Ohio State’s newest recreation facility and take advantage of the inflatable games, a 35-foot climbing wall, an obstacle course and free food. During “Swing Night,” from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday (5/13) at Browning Amphitheater, on the South Oval behind the University Honors and Scholars Center, 220 W. 12th Ave., a dance instructor will be on hand for one hour to give lessons. At 8 p.m., the Jim Masters Swing Band will perform giving students the opportunity to dance freely.
“Whether you are interested in community service, academics, wellness, diversity or just celebrating what it means to be a Buckeye, May Week offers many opportunities to get involved and meet new people,” Alonso said.
For more information about May Week, including a full listing of events, visit http://www.studentaffairs.osu.edu/mayweek/.
Friday, May 6
•Teeter-Totter Marathon, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the South Oval. This charity fundraiser will benefit Turning Point, a local daycare for children from low-income families.
•Late Night at the Adventure Recreation Center, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday (5/6) at the center, 855 Woody Hayes Dr. The university community can get a first-hand glance at Ohio State’s newest recreation facility and take advantage of the inflatable games, a 35-foot climbing wall and an obstacle course.
Saturday, May 7
•Rock the Block, from noon to 4 p.m. During this single-day community outreach event, students, faculty and staff will participate in service projects at more than 80 sites throughout campus community and Columbus. Projects vary between painting classrooms at local elementary schools, assisting in nursing homes and replanting vegetation on traffic islands.
Tuesday, May 10
•The Official Ohio State Class Ring Ceremony, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the East Ballroom of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The Official Class Ring Ohio State will be presented to students by Executive Vice President and Provost Barbara Snyder, the Ohio State Alumni Association President/CEO Archie Griffin and Student-Alumni Council President Tahira Rehmatullah.
Thursday, May 12
•Dump and Run, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the west lawn of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of recycling, the event is an opportunity for the university community to get rid of unwanted clothes, furniture, books, electrical appliances and other items. Everything collected will be sold in a public yard sale during Welcome Week in September.
Friday, May 13
•Swing Night, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Browning Amphitheater, on the South Oval behind the University Honors and Scholars Center, 220 W. 12th Ave. A dance instructor will be on hand for one hour to give lessons. At 8 p.m., the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform giving students the opportunity to dance freely.
###
