Ohio University’s residential greens were dotted with lime green this weekend as more than 600 OU students and employees donned “Go Green” T-shirts, hefted boxes and welcomed new students to campus.
More than 540 OU students and 100 staff volunteered for OU’s Go Green initiative, which provided move-in help for freshmen and sophomores living in the residence halls.
This year’s student volunteer turnout topped last year’s by more than 200, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said.
Lombardi helped with the move-in efforts, reacquainting himself with students and families he had met earlier in the summer at OU’s freshmen orientation sessions.
“I’m not lifting boxes; I’m going around, visiting families and saying hi,” Lombardi said. “It’s the volunteers around campus who are doing the literal heavy lifting.”
Lombardi has welcomed students during move-in each year since he began working at OU; this was his fourth year participating in the move-in efforts.
Ohio University President Roderick McDavis and Vice President for Student Affairs Kent Smith traditionally help with move-in as well but were absent this year because of OU’s Board of Trustees meetings in Columbus last Thursday.
Freshman Lindsey Trischler said the efforts of Go Green volunteers made her transition into the dorms easier.
“It was really easy, and it was really organized and everything,” she said.
Lombardi said his aim in assisting with move-in is to reinforce his welcome from summer orientation and to facilitate early relationships with students.
Lombardi encourages students to take advantage of his office hours and to reach out to him if they have questions.
“I would say my student engagement is very high,” he said.
During the weekend, freshmen were also invited to participate in Bobcat Bash in Baker University Center, a Friday evening event featuring games and food and A Year in a Day, an all-day event Saturday on South Beach featuring a foam dance party starring Dave Rave.
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