Jun 12, 2024   |  FAMILIES

I hope everyone's summer is off to a wonderful start, whether you are getting lots of quality time with your student or encouraging them as they pursue an exciting summer internship. For those of you with students in Athens this month, I invite them to join us in celebrating Juneteenth through some informative and empowering University and community events.

Though the summer season is just officially beginning, it's never too early to start thinking about move-in prep, exploring the resources to help your student have their best semester yet, or encouraging your student to take advantage of virtual well-being coaching to give them an extra boost over the next few months. 

I'll see many of you in August for move-in, and don't forget to start planning for Family Weekends now! 

Kathy A Fahl, MSW

Dean of Students

Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. Annually, starting in June 2021, Ohio University celebrates this occasion with programming and activities. If students are in Athens, they can participate in events like a Black History Tour or the Juneteenth Festival on June 22 on College Green. 

If students are attending the Juneteenth celebration, they could consider bringing something along to donate to Cats' Cupboard. The Basic Needs Program is encouraging donations of shelf-stable food, local produce and even fruits and veggies from your home garden. Stop by the Athens Farmers Market, Bulk Foods Depot or the Chesterhill Produce Auction and grab fresh produce or bulk local products to donate. Donation bins for shelf-stable items will be set up along the perimeter of the celebration. Produce can be brought to the Basic Needs Program table on College Green.

You can also purchase food for the pantry through Amazon, using our Amazon Food Pantry Needs list.

The Center for Advising, Career, and Experiential Learning updated drop-in advising hours to Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the ACE in Baker 417.

Students can contact ACE at ace@ohio.edu or 740-566-8888 for questions or to schedule a virtual appointment.

Save yourself time on move-in day by shipping items to our partners, Storage Scholars, over the summer. They will receive your packages, notify you and deliver everything to your student's room before you arrive on campus, so you don't have to lift a finger! Students should sign up for services before August 1.

Well-Being Coaching is a free one-on-one individualized guidance program. Coaches are available throughout the summer to support students on things from nutrition to sleep to stress management. Find out about all the ways a coach can support your student and how they can request their first session via Teams.

June 15 | 12-10 p.m.

A FREE community festival featuring live music, food vendors, artisan vendors and community organizations in Uptown Athens.

 →  View details

July 2 | 7-9 p.m.

Songwriters, poets, writers, and musicians are all welcome to come perform in the grand lobby of the historic Stuart's Opera House on the first Tuesday of every month!

 →  Sign up