Numerous groups have taken over campus this summer for a variety of planned activities throughout campus. From schoolchildren to cheerleaders to basketball players, many non-college students can be found around campus.
A complete list of the non-university groups operating around campus is not easy to compile. According to the department of summer sessions there is no single university office that deals with all of the groups.
(The department of Summer Sessions) doesn't deal with groups
said Pamela Brown, director of Summer Sessions on Athens campus. Individual departments deal with different groups directly.
Many of these groups use Ohio University dining facilities. Nelson Dining Hall handles the traffic of both university students and groups.
It gets difficult at times Nelson manager Emma Frankart said. The groups often come in all at once.
Still, the additional people do not compare to the dining hall's service during the regular school year.
We serve twice the number of people during the year but at a staggered rate over two to two and a half hours
Frankart said. But the groups tend to come at a short period of time so things can get difficult.
Ping Center has been a host to numerous athletic camps, with a full schedule for the entire summer.
We host basketball camps
volleyball camps
cheerleading camps
just athletic groups in general
said Hafedh Benhadj, associate director of campus recreation. Every three to four days we have new groups coming in.
These groups have been subject to Ping Center's regular rental costs, including the $32 rental fee for each basketball court. The center has been careful to organize these groups so that the center is never too crowded.
We're careful to leave space between groups
Benhadj said.
South Green has been invaded by hundreds of elementary school kids as part of OU's Kids on Campus program. Kids on Campus is a six-week activity for students in first through sixth grades that teaches nutrition, wellness, reading and art, among other things.
It's been great here
everyone on campus has been good
said Misty Cole, program coordinator. OUPD and the faculty have been very helpful.
The group contains children from schools all over Athens County, including Athens City Schools, Trimble Local School District, Alexander Local School District and Federal Hocking Local Schools.
The group has seen a funding cut, serving only 225 children this summer as opposed to 300 last year, Cole said. The group begins planning as early as January.
The children have enjoyed OU's campus immensely, Cole said. They love it here ' the projects and activities and field trips ' they really enjoy the campus.
