Welcome Week celebrates Ohio State’s new academic year

COLUMBUS – Senior Chantelle Porter said Welcome Week at The Ohio State University brings the institution down to size for more than 5,700 freshman students. Welcome Week 2002 runs on Ohio State’s campus from Sept. 21 to 29.

“I think Welcome Week helps Ohio State become a community,” said Porter, who is co-chair of this year’s weeklong celebration.

Porter, who is a member of five student organizations, understands the importance of getting involved at Ohio State. Through events like the Community Commitment day and the Student Involvement Fair, she said Welcome Week gives first-time and returning students a glimpse of opportunities on campus and in the community.

“Welcome Week takes away the mystery of who’s who and what’s what on campus,” Porter said. “Since Ohio State is such a large university, Welcome Week really shows students what Ohio State has to offer.”

New to this year’s celebration is the Welcome Fiesta, which is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Office of Hispanic Student Services. The celebration, which is set from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday (9/27) in the Ohio Union, will feature Caribbean and Latin American music and food.

Porter said the Welcome Fiesta is an important event.

“It is a chance to show incoming students that Ohio State is really a diverse campus,” she said.

Kate Lehman, a graduate administrative associate in Student Activities and co-chair of Welcome Week, said the event is intended to give students Buckeye pride.

“There are so many advantages to getting involved at Ohio State,” Lehman said. “It makes the campus seem smaller and prepares students for life. We really hope students will take advantage of the opportunity.”

Events during Welcome Week 2002 include:

SATURDAY (9/21)

-- Residence Hall Move-In, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., across Ohio State’s campus.
SUNDAY (9/22)

-- Scarlet Fever pep rally, 6 p.m. in the Ohio Stadium. Join Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, the OSU Marching Band, Brutus Buckeye, cheerleaders and sports teams for the rally that is guaranteed to give students the Buckeye spirit.

MONDAY (9/23)

-- President’s Convocation 2002, 10:30 a.m. in St. John Arena. This event is the academic kickoff for freshman and first-time transfer students at Ohio State. Immediately following Convocation, the President’s Picnic and Buckeye Bash will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on the Oval. During the afternoon, about 15,000 students will choose from more than 500 student organizations, clubs, community service agencies and campus offices to join.

TUESDAY (9/24)

-- Community Commitment, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Join more than 1,200 Ohio State and Columbus community members in one of the nation’s largest one-day community service events on a college campus. Buses will depart from campus to more than 60 service sites in Columbus.

WEDNESDAY (9/25) – Classes begin!

-- Ohio State may seem like a big place, but dozens of class locator volunteers in bright orange T-shirts will help students get to class on time.

-- “Bug your Bike,” 4 to 6 p.m. in the north residence hall area. On university campuses, theft and burglary are the primary crimes that affect students, according to University Police. Now, university police can install a radio frequency identification device (RFID) in students’ bicycles. The bug is the same as the technology that allows placing a “chip” under the skin of dogs or other pets to provide ownership information. At no charge, university police will install the RFID into students’ bicycles. Police can then use this technology to positively identify stolen bicycles and to return the property to its rightful owner.

For more information or for a complete list of Welcome Week events, see http://www.ohiounion.com/welcomeweek/about.asp.