9-14-99

Ohio State Welcomes New And Returning Students To Campus

COLUMBUS -- First-year and returning students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in The Ohio State University and its traditions during Welcome Week '99, Sept. 19-26.

"Welcome Week brings students and the university together," said Matt Couch, acting coordinator of student involvement in the Office of Student Activities. "It's a great opportunity for everyone involved. Students get to explore the campus and see what it has to offer, and faculty and staff get to showcase their offices and departments."

This year's Welcome Week activities start on Sept. 19 with move-in day. The Buckeye Prize Patrol will travel around campus, showering lucky students with prizes as they move into their residence halls.

The fun doesn't stop there. Students can check out dozens of other events, including:

Monday (9/20)

• Community Commitment 1999, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. at the South Oval. Service learning and community service doesn't get any bigger and better than this. More than 1,500 Ohio State and Columbus community members are expected to participate in this nationally recognized day of doing good.
• Buckeye Venture, which runs Monday through Thursday, will lead residence hall students on a journey around campus, collecting vital bits of information needed to complete the quest for the big prizes awarded at Scarlet Fever later in the week.

Tuesday (9/21)

• The President's Convocation will start at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Arena and ends with the President's Picnic/Buckeye Bash on the Oval from noon to 2:30 p.m. Students will follow the Ohio State Marching Band to the Oval for free food and tons of fun.
• The Student Involvement Fair gives students the chance to discover the hundreds of student organizations at Ohio State from noon to 4 p.m. on the Oval.

Wednesday (9/22)

• School of Music ensemble performances will be presented all day on the Oval. Treat yourself to a day-long concert of performances by various musical ensembles.
• The 3rd Annual Pi Sigma Epsilon Welcome Week Pizza Challenge from 7-10 p.m. features free pizza from local vendors. Students can cast their votes for the "Preferred Pizza of Ohio State Students."

Thursday (9/23)

• Scarlet Fever, a pep rally and major prize give-away, begins at 8 p.m. in St. John Arena.

Friday (9/24)

• The Street Fair, from 4-8 p.m. on 15th Avenue between High Street and Pearl Alley, is a festival of music, food and entertainment. This section of 15th Avenue will be closed to traffic from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday.
• Second City, the famous improvisational comedy group from Chicago, will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. The event is free to Ohio State students.
• University Honors & Scholars Center will hold its annual open house from 4-6 p.m. at Kuhn Honors & Scholars House, 220 W. 12th Ave.

Saturday (9/25)

• Commuter Student Pre-Game Tailgate Cookout from 10 a.m. until game time (Ohio State vs. University of Cincinnati) at Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services, 104 E. 15th Ave.

  For the complete Welcome Week schedule, visit its Web site at http://www.osu.edu/welcomeweek/index.html

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  Contact: Matt Couch, acting coordinator of student involvement in the Office of Student Activities, (614) 292-8763