Photographer: Ben Siegel
Bobcat Student Orientation is a fun time for families
Thousands of new members of the Bobcat family, including incoming first-year students and transfer students, will come together on Ohio University’s Athens campus during the month of June for Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO).
Between June 3 and June 29, first-year students will visit campus for their two-day orientation session. In the middle of the month, from June 13 until June 15, transfer students will visit campus for their orientation sessions.
In their inaugural visit to Athens as OHIO Bobcats, nearly 4,000 students are expected to attend BSO, which includes about 3,800 first-year students and 150 transfer students. The students will not be coming alone. More than 5,100 family members or guests are expected to accompany the students.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Bobcat Student Orientation’s mission is to make certain all students and families or guests feel welcome, comfortable in their transitions, connected to campus resources and confident in their academic schedules before beginning their first semester on the Athens Campus of Ohio University.
“We are excited to welcome all incoming students and their families and guests to Ohio University this summer for Bobcat Student Orientation,” said Wendy Merb-Brown, Assistant Dean for Operations and First-Year & Student Transitions. “Students and their guests will get to connect with our faculty, staff, and most importantly, other students. They will learn about our academic programs and resources, as well as ways to become engaged and involved on campus and in the community.”
While at orientation, students can take placement tests, meet with an academic advisor, register for fall semester classes and possibly join a Learning Community, find ways to get involved on campus, explore the Athens community and obtain their Bobcat IDs. Students also become acquainted and begin building friendships with future classmates. Throughout Bobcat Student Orientation, students are led by Orientation Leaders (OLs).
“We have 50 OLs and they are responsible for giving our incoming students a peer perspective of life at Ohio University,” said Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs Vincent Prior. “They facilitate icebreakers and activities to encourage new students to connect with each other and present information about the academic and social experiences students have at our university.”
The families also stay busy. They will attend parent-specific sessions, tour the campus and get to know other families. Since BSO is a two-day experience, students and their families will have the option of staying in a residence hall overnight and eating in an Ohio University dining hall.
This year, the BSO Resource Fair be available to students on both day one and day two of their orientation experience, which will allow students to connect with offices they have questions for on day one and then follow up with those offices on day two with any remaining questions they might have.
CAMPUS INFORMATION
Bobcat Student Orientation activities will take place all over the Athens campus. Students and their guests who choose to stay in a residence hall overnight will be staying in either Biddle, Lincoln, Shively or Tiffin located on East Green. On-campus meals will be provided on South Green at the Nelson Dining Hall. Many activities will also happen at Baker University Center, Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, Gordy Hall and various other academic buildings.
Find more information on Bobcat Student Orientation on their website. In addition, you can also download the program’s app on your phone’s App Store by searching “Ohio Orientation.” The OHIO BSO app contains everything from campus maps, orientation schedules and so much more. You can also keep up with Bobcat Student Orientation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@OHIOBSO).
PARKING INFORMATION
Bobcat Student Orientation parking will be located on West Green. Students and their families, or guests, may park in the purple lot at Peden Stadium (Lot 132) and BSO staff will be on hand to assist with any questions.
For more updates and information, you can follow @OhioUParking on Twitter or visit Parking Services' website.