Ohio State to launch Welcome Week 2004 Sunday

COLUMBUS -- As The Ohio State University prepares to welcome its best academically prepared freshman class for the 10th consecutive year, more than 100 programs and activities are planned for Welcome Week 2004, which begins Sunday (9/19) throughout the campus. Autumn quarter classes begin Wednesday (9/22) for approximately 37,000 undergraduates, including 5,900 first-year students.
Welcome Week is the official welcome period for new and returning students. Events range from ice cream socials and the President’s Picnic, to a Scarlet Fever pep rally and Community Commitment, one of the nation’s largest single-day community service events on a college campus.
More than 50 campus departments and student organizations have been involved in planning Welcome Week, said Matt Couch, assistant director for the Ohio Union and chair of the 2004 steering committee.

“The Welcome Week Steering Committee has really tried to provide programming and information that will help students develop a sense of home and a link to the university,” Couch said.

ldquo;With participation from other university departments and organizations, the week’s events highlight various aspects of campus life, including academics, athletics, campus resources, community involvement and campus safety, cultural diversity, traditions, social events, student service and wellness and recreation.”

Highlights of Welcome Week 2004 follow. For a complete list of events, log on to the official Welcome Week website at www.ohiounion.com/welcomeweek/about.asp

·Move-in Day
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (9/19), Ohio State Residence Halls
Thousands of new and returning students will be moving into Ohio State residence halls across campus. Ohio State Welcome Leaders (OWLS), a group of first-year student volunteers, will be on hand to help students with their belongings.

·Convocation 2004
10 a.m., Monday (9/20), St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Dr.
Convocation is the traditional academic ceremony welcoming new students to Ohio State. Students will experience their first academic procession and receive an official welcome from President Karen A. Holbrook. Following a quick lesson in Ohio State history and tradition, students will led by the Ohio State Marching Band through Ohio Stadium to the President’s Picnic.

·President’s Picnic & Buckeye Bash; Student Involvement Fair
Noon to 4 p.m., Monday (9/20), Ohio Stadium
University President Karen A. Holbrook will host the annual President’s Picnic under the south stands of Ohio Stadium. The Student Involvement Fair will take place in conjunction with the picnic. Nearly 500 student organizations, university departments and local businesses will have information on how to get involved at Ohio State.

·Buckeye Welcome
4 to 5 p.m., Monday (9/20), Weigel Hall, 1866 College Rd.
At Buckeye Welcome 2004, President Holbrook will welcome transfer students from both regional campuses and other institutions at a dessert reception.

·Community Commitment
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday (9/21), The Ohio Union
Nearly 1,500 students will participate in one of the nation’s largest one-day community service events associated with a college campus. Students will be bused throughout Columbus where they will work with staff, faculty, fellow students and community members at one of more than 80 service sites throughout the city. After completing the projects, participants will return to campus for lunch and a service fair.

·Picnic with the Buckeyes and Columbus Symphony Orchestra
6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday (9/21), South Oval
Ohio State faculty, staff and students are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and blanket to this free concert featuring The Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

·Campus Locator Services
7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday (9/22) and Thursday (9/23), Ohio State campus
Welcome Week volunteers donning bright yellow T-shirts will be located throughout campus during the first two days of classes to help students find their way around.

·Scarlet Fever
6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday (9/22), Ohio Stadium
Ohio State cheerleaders, Brutus Buckeye and the Ohio State Marching Band will lead students through Buckeye traditions, cheers and fight songs.