COLUMBUS -- Imagine a place where 48,000 of your closest friends join forces for a week-long Buckeye bonanza. There's free food by the tons, chances to make friends and get involved on and off campus, and friendly faces to greet you outside of the Main Library with a bagel and directions to your next class.

But wait...there's more. Students can join thousands of other students, faculty and staff for a Tae Bo class led by Billy Blanks and help The Ohio State University set a new world record for the number of people doing the popular exercise, all during Welcome Week 2000, Sept. 17 through 23.

There really is something for everyone at Ohio State, said Matt Couch, assistant director of student activities, and Welcome Week will definitely give new and returning students a taste of what's out there.

"There is something for the die-hard Buckeye, the socially conscious and the hungry," Couch said. "We want everyone to feel like they belong here at Ohio State -- it will be their home, and we want them to get to know it better."

The week's events include:

SUNDAY (9/17)

-- Residence Hall Move-In

-- Buckeye Prize Patrol, all day, all over campus

MONDAY (9/18)

-- The President's Convocation will start at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Arena and end with the President's Picnic & Buckeye Bash on the Oval from noon to 2 p.m. Students can follow the Ohio State Marching Band to the Oval for free food and tons of fun.

-- Pick up an extra hot dog and check out more than 500 student and campus organizations at the Student Involvement Fair on the Oval from noon to 4 p.m.

-- Grab a blanket and all of your friends and catch "American Pie" on the Oval at 8 p.m.

TUESDAY (9/19)

-- It's never too early to get involved in community service, so set your alarm clock, find a friend and take part in Community Commitment from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buses, leaving from the South Oval, will take students to one of 50 service sites all over Columbus. When you're done, don't forget to stick around for free food.

-- Tae Bo creator and martial arts expert Billy Blanks will be on campus to lead a record-setting workout at 6 p.m. on the Oval. Be a part of an unforgettable Guinness World Record attempt right here at Ohio State.

WEDNESDAY (9/20): Classes begin!

-- Ohio State may seem like a big place, but dozens of class locator volunteers in bright orange T-shirts will help you get to class on time. Don't forget to grab a healthy bagel on your way.

-- You're a Buckeye now, so it's time to learn the fight song. Join TBDBITL, Brutus Buckeye and many special guests for this amazing pep rally event at 8 p.m. in St. John Arena. You could walk away with a free T-shirt, airline tickets or free tuition for a quarter!

THURSDAY (9/21)

-- Class Locator Service & Health Food Giveaway, all day, all over campus.

-- Wanna read a good book and meet the man who wrote it? Grab "The Color of Water" by James McBride and head to the Thurber Theater at 6 p.m. for a discussion of the book.

-- Like pizza? Who doesn't, especially if it's free? Come put your tastebuds to the test and cast your vote for "The Preferred Pizza of Ohio State Students" during the Pi Sigma Epsilon Pizza Challenge from 7 to 9 p.m. at Larkins Hall, 337 West 17th Ave.

-- Call Mom and Dad for free during UNITS free long distance, 7 to 9 p.m. at Larkins Hall. Just make sure to swallow your pizza first.

FRIDAY (9/22)

-- Back by popular demand is The Second City, the legendary improv comedy troupe that launched the career of Chris Farley, Mike Myers and dozens of your favorite comedy superstars, at 7 to 8:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m. at the Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St.

-- Latenight with the Ohio Union, 6 to midnight. Enjoy karaoke, dance and massage therapy demonstrations, movies, tie dyeing, a poetry reading, the Bizarre Bazaar, and much more. Phife of A Tribe Called Quest will DJ the event.

SATURDAY (9/23)

-- Buckeye football vs. Penn State

SUNDAY (9/24)

-- Walk off all that free food during The Bucks Are Back 5K Run & Walk, sponsored by the College of Human Ecology. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Ave.

-- Five O'clock Shadow, an accapello group, will perform in the Browning Amphitheater, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The rain site is in the Ohio Union Ballrooms.

For more information and a complete listing of events, check out the Welcome Week Web site at www.osu.edu/welcomeweek

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