Welcome Week Activities Outlined

OHIO STATE STUDENTS WELCOMED WITH WEEK OF ACTIVITIES

     COLUMBUS --  As nearly 50,000 students begin a new academic 
year at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University on Sept. 
25, a number of programs focusing on academics and 
extracurricular activities are planned to welcome them.

     President E. Gordon Gee will welcome students on Sept. 24 
with a convocation and picnic.  The convocation, at 11 a.m. in 
St. John Arena, will feature a colorful processional of faculty 
in academic regalia as well as remarks by Gee, Richard Sisson, 
senior vice president and provost, and others.  Student leaders 
will be introduced, and Ohio State cheerleaders and Brutus 
Buckeye will perform.

     After the convocation, Gee will welcome students at a noon 
picnic on the Oval, with music, prizes, entertainment and some 30 
food vendors.  Students will also have the opportunity to send 
Ohio State postcards to their parents at no charge.

     "The convocation and picnic are an important kick-off to 
the academic experience," said Brenda Fields, program 
coordinator of campus events.  "It is a time for students to 
focus on the campus community, make connections and make the 
campus environment more personal."

     The events are part of a week of special events and 
activities designed to welcome new and returning students. 
Following the theme of "Changing our World: One Quarter at a 
Time," the activities are sponsored by the Office of Campus 
Activities and Events, the Office of Housing, Food Services and 
Event Centers, and the Department of Recreation and Intramural 
Sports. 

     "The goal of welcome week is to introduce new students to 
the university, both academically and socially," said Becky 
Parker, director of the Ohio Unions.  "We want to reinforce the 
relationship between academics and extracurricular activities, as 
students develop intellectually in the classroom and socially 
both in and outside the classroom."

     Between Sept. 22-24, almost 8,000 students will be moving 
into dormitories; about half of them are expected Sept. 22, the 
first day residence halls open.  To help with the move-in 
process, at least 800 student volunteers, called OWLS or 
"Official Welcome Leaders," will unload cars and help cart 
student belongings into the residence halls.

     Once students have moved in, they can participate in a 
number of events, including a Campus and Community Involvement 
Fair on Sept. 24, a Transportation and Parking Services 
Information Fair on Sept. 25, and an On Campus Job Fair on Sept. 
26 with more than 50 campus employers participating.

     Students can then catch "Scarlet Fever" at a pep rally at 
St. John Arena Sept. 26, at 8 p.m.  Ohio State and community 
dignitaries, sports teams, cheerleaders, Brutus Buckeye and the 
Ohio State Marching Band will welcome students and their guests.  
Area businesses and Ohio State vendors will give away prizes such 
as a mountain bike, free room and board, dinners, tickets to 
special events and more.  

     "Each year students come back to find something new to 
become involved with," Fields said. "They capitalize on the 
size of the university.  Because it is large we have more to 
offer and it allows students, faculty and staff to meet others 
with similar interests."

     Other events include the grand opening of the new Woody's 
Place, an on-campus gathering spot in the South Terrace of the 
Ohio Union; Sports Club Daze, an opportunity to explore the 
activities offered by the Department of Recreation and Intramural 
Sports; Comedy Nite at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural 
Center; fraternity programs; music; dancing; and movies.

                              #

Contact: Becky Parker, director of the Ohio Unions, (614) 292- 
2135, or Brenda Fields, program coordinator of campus events, 
(614) 292-2324.


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Mon, 16 Sep 1996 12:54:02 -0400]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.