Jul 16, 2025   |  INCOMING FAMILIES

As the Associate Vice President & Dean of Students at OHIO, I am so excited to welcome you all to our Bobcat family along with Assistant Dean of Students for Parent and Family Engagement Mak Olaker. If you joined us during Bobcat Student Orientation this summer, please provide any feedback for the 1.5 day program, one day program or virtual program to help us make it the best it can be for future Bobcats. 

We are getting ready for Athens to come to life with the return of our students and the arrival of all of our new Bobcats. We want to ensure you always have the need-to-know information alongside your student. You'll receive this newsletter every other week during the school year with tips, resources and opportunities for your student to get engaged across campus. 

As a parent myself, I understand the big leap you are about to take when you say goodbye to your student this fall. Know that we are here for you and your student on this journey. They could not have made it this far without your support, and I look forward to the learning and growth they are about to experience. 

See you soon!

Kathy A Fahl, MSW
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students

Your student has a chance to explore their passions and kickstart their college experience. The Center for Student Engagement & Leadership offers more than 550 student organizations, over 100 weekly events and involvement from 10,000+ Bobcats across all interests, from fitness to creative pursuits to cultural groups and more.

We know you and your student are doing all you can to prepare, but there's a lot of information and updates as fall semester approaches! Make sure you're following official OHIO sources:

Looking for other info, helpful tips or anything else? Reach out!

Does your student have questions about their schedule? They can find the contact for their academic college.

Are they nervous about classes? Find free tutoring, writing assistance and academic coaching at the Academic Achievement Center located on the second floor of Alden Library.

Going to college is an adventure, so why not start it that way? New Adventures is Ohio University's outdoor orientation program for incoming first-year students, and no previous outdoor experience is required! Sign up is still open until two weeks before each remaining summer trip. 

Save time and skip the move-in chaos by using Storage Scholars, OHIO’s preferred partner for summer storage and shipping. Ship your boxes or online purchases to their secure facility. They’ll deliver everything to your student's room before you step on campus. Sign up by July 31.

1. Finalize or complete the Vaccination Information Form. Students are required to report meningitis and hepatitis vaccination information. They should visit their Housing Self-Service page, select the ‘Contracts and Applications’ tab, and choose the Vaccination Information Form. This must be completed prior to their arrival.

2. If they're living on campus, they should review fall move-in information in the online arrival guide.

3. Update or complete contact information. Update their ‘Missing Persons Contact’ information on their Housing Self-Service page under ‘Personal Information.’

4. Load Bobcat Cash to your student's OHIO ID to use in student labs and libraries for printing, laundry, shopping and eating!

5. Meal plan changes can be made up to the second Friday of fall semester (September 5 at 4 p.m.). After that, they can only increase their meal plan. Changes to meal plans must be made via Housing Self-Service. Off-campus and commuter students have meal plan options too!

6. Review the packing checklist to see what your student should bring (and what not to bring) if they are living on campus. On-campus students should also review the Student Housing Handbook so they are familiar with all the policies, procedures and resources they'll have access to while living on campus.

7. Plan daily routes. Students should review their schedule and start planning routes to class. If they're commuting they can still purchase a parking pass and register for the commuter lounge. 

THRiVE, OHIO's well-being initiative, provides resources and support for all aspects of students' health. Whether it's basic needs, like food and housing, physical fitness, mental health, nutrition or beyond, they can find valuable information right at their fingertips. Explore these resources now so they're ready when your student needs them. 

 →  THRiVE at OHIO

August 21-31

Your student's first week on campus is packed with events to get to know Athens, meet other students and welcome them to OHIO! Welcome Week is open to all students, including our returning Bobcats, whether they are living on or off campus. 

 → More info

September 19-21

It can be tough to say goodbye as your student prepares to move to campus, but don't worry! You can visit in September for the first Family Weekend of the year.

 →  Make your plans