Today's Update: Tuesday, July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

Dear Student Life team,

You’ve heard the phrase, “it takes a village.” Ohio State is a pretty big village, and it takes all of us to get the academic year started in the right way for our students, and ourselves.

That’s why we need your help rolling out the scarlet carpet for students and their families over the next few weeks. This “first impression” is crucial to creating a true Buckeye experience for our new and returning students, and I write today asking for your assistance.

There are several opportunities for you to become involved. Each is an important component of the launch of fall semester, and I hope you will offer your time and talent to the extent that you are able (and be sure to check that your supervisor is okay with how you commit your time). It will also give you a chance to see places and meet people you don’t typically get to during your typical work day. With “Meeting Free Fridays” in full effect, I hope you all take some time to participate.

Move-In (520 staff shifts to fill)
Thousands of students will soon be moving into our residence halls, and team members are needed to provide general guidance to students and families about check-in and assist with any other issues or questions. Staff members will not be asked to assist with moving a student’s belongings. Assistance is needed from Wednesday, August 16, through Saturday, August 19, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. For more information and to sign up, visit go.osu.edu/moveinassistance2023. Please contact Aubrie Smith (smith.4488@osu.edu) with any questions.

Off-Campus Community Welcome (60 staff shifts to fill)
Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement needs assistance welcoming our students/residents into the University District during the Off-Campus Community Welcome. This year’s Welcome will be held on Friday, August 18, from 9:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. with two options for shifts. The Welcome includes going door-to-door in the University District greeting students and offering information on resources and upcoming events. You can sign up online: http://go.osu.edu/offcampusvolunteer

Student Involvement Fair (86 staff shifts to fill)
Student Activities needs help to support the Student Involvement Fair on Sunday, August 20, on the Oval and South Oval. This annual event (which runs 4-7 p.m.) hosts nearly 800 student organizations, campus departments and community partners to help students get involved. Volunteer roles are outdoors, most require standing, and some require limited lifting and moving tables. For more information and to sign up, visit go.osu.edu/SIFVolunteers2023. Email sifair@osu.edu with any questions.

Buck-I-Frenzy (6 staff shifts to fill)
Buck-I-Frenzy is back! We are in need of a few volunteers to assist with traffic control and to staff the hospitality suite. Traffic control will be needed before and after the event to help direct vendor traffic at the load in/out zones. The hospitality suite is in need of volunteers to greet sponsors and assist with any of their needs (mostly alerting Frenzy staff to assist).

Hospitality Suite – One person per shift. First shift: noon- 2 p.m., Second shift: 2-4 p.m.
Traffic Control – Two people per shift (one for each zone). First shift: 7:30-11:30 a.m. Second shift: 3:30-5:30 p.m.

If you can help, please contact Jen Cottrell.76@osu.edu

Fall Career and Internship Fair (20 staff shifts to fill)
Buckeye Careers will host the annual University-Wide Fall Career and Internship Fair, in person, on Wednesday, September 13, at the Ohio Union. Assistance will be needed from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will include helping set up the event, escorting employers to their assigned tables, providing tours to select groups of first-time student attendees and assisting with the student check-in process. If you are interested in supporting students in their professional development journeys, you can sign up here. Reach out to Tara Nord.29@osu.edu or Jennifer Chilman.1@osu.edu with any questions.

Thank you for your help getting this academic year off to a Scarlet and Great start!

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD

Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University