A new program encouraging students to participate in campus activities is making its debut this school year at Ohio University.
The Bobcat Passport program, established over the summer by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of Student Activities, gives students the opportunity to win prizes by attending different events highlighted by the university.
Sometimes I think that students aren't aware of all the programs that go on
on campus said Chad Barnhardt, assistant director of student activities for campus programs. There are so many different events that go on and education is something that occurs largely outside the classroom.
Barnhardt said this is the first program of its kind at OU. Other universities have similar programs, but not to the magnitude of the Bobcat Passport.
The Bobcat Passport program comes one year after the implementation of AlcoholEdu, a mandatory online course for all freshmen to complete prior to move-in day.
We recognize that there's a lot of myth about the OU party scene
Barnhardt said. All students aren't interested in that
and students are certainly interested in their academics and being involved socially.
To be eligible for prizes, students must attend one event in each of seven categories. Among the categories are Athletics, Diversity, Performing Arts and one event with an RA or faculty member. At least one event in each category is free to attend.
At each event, a table will be set up where students can get their passports stamped to verify they attended and stamped again when they leave the venue.
Some events that correspond with the program include the Association of Cultural Exchange and Athens Friends of International Students' coffee hour and free lunch, the Fall Jazz concert, Planet Ping and Ohio hockey v. Iowa State.
The passports must be submitted by 5 p.m. Feb. 17 in Room 204 in Baker University Center for students to be eligible for the drawing of prizes before the end of Winter Quarter.
More than 100 different prizes, most of which were donated by different offices of the university, will be given away. The grand prize winner will receive one quarter of Ohio University in-state tuition, valued at $2,745. Other prizes include one year of free books valued up to $1,000, iPods, cornhole sets and one academic quarter of free coffee and tea at The Front Room in Baker Center. A complete list of the events and prizes can be found on the Bobcat Passport Web site, www.ohio.edu/bobcatpassport.
Passports were distributed to underclassmen when the residence halls opened last weekend. Barnhardt said upperclassmen can obtain a passport at certain events or at the information desk in Baker Center.
I think it's a good way for students to get involved in university-based activity
junior Darren Dowd said.
Krystal Sanders, a senior art education major and resident in Read Hall, said she thinks the Bobcat Passport program is a good idea, but will mainly appeal to first-year students and not upperclassmen.
It will be really nice for first-year students because there will be so many people willing to go together
she said.
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