Take Back the Night, International Week, career fairs

Mar 19, 2025 | FAMILIES

As this year’s off-campus fest season begins, encourage your students to enjoy the festivities responsibly and safely if they choose to particiapte. We all play a part in looking out for each other, ensuring this season is fun, safe and healthy for everyone. I shared the message below with students today:

Here are a few tips to help you plan ahead and make smart choices:
•Stick together and communicate.
•Make plans with friends and stay with people you trust.
•Set clear expectations for your guests and your home.
•Act responsibly and look out for one another.

Stay Safe and Be an Active Bystander:
•Be aware of your surroundings and your own behavior.
•If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to call for help.
•Support friends or guests who may feel uncomfortable, and help them leave unsafe situations.
•If you're worried about someone’s level of intoxication, please remember that OHIO’s Medical Emergency Assistance Program allows you to call for help without fearing Student Code of Conduct violations.
•For emergencies, always call 911.

Keep Your Future in Mind:
•Your well-being and future goals are more important than any fest.
•The Student Code of Conduct applies to behavior that takes place on and off-campus. Having a student conduct record may impact your ability to take part in certain activities and programs.
•Remember that what happens at fests can live on through social media — long after the fun is over.
•Poor decisions could impact your opportunities for jobs, internships, graduate school, study-away programs and more.

There are also a number of sober, alternative events hosted by the Collegiate Recovery Community throughout the spring. Remember, we all have a role in keeping ourselves, our friends and those in our community safe. Thank you for representing Ohio University so well and for always supporting your fellow Bobcats.

Kathy A Fahl, MSW
Dean of Students

THRiVE is an active campus initiative that educates and empowers students to take care of their well-being or support others. From March 17-23, we’re rallying the Bobcat community to donate essential items for Cats' Cupboard for the inaugural THRiVE Drive, which helps students facing food insecurity. Parents and families can support by contributing to the food pantry fund. Your donations help restock the pantry before finals and ensure students have what they need prior to summer.

Bonus: Make a donation and enter your student for a chance to win a prize! Let’s come together to support the next generation of Bobcats!

The Women's Center and Student Senate invite all OHIO and Athens community members to participate in the annual Take Back the Night event on Thursday, April 3. This event aims to raise awareness about sexual and domestic violence, focusing on survivor experiences.

Athens Beautfification Month takes place throughout the month of April. Students can sign up for a volunteer opportunity like helping to maintain Baileys Trail System or gardening with the Athens Herb Guild.

Save the date for OHIO Giving Day, April 2. This is your chance to support current and future Bobcats. There will also be a number of student-focused events happening across campus.

The free event, taking place March 25-27, brings over 60 artists and music industry professionals to campus for panel discussions, in-depth interviews, networking and more.

Students and community members are invited to celebrate the universal languages of food, movement and human connection through International Week events April 2-5, including the International Street Fair.

The last Family Weekend of the year takes place April 4-6. Make your plans for travel now, and keep an eye on the calendar as more events are added.

The University is planning a major technology upgrade which may include the MyOHIO Student Center and wants student input! Don't worry, the change won't happen for several years, but students can get the scoop and provide feedback now by watching demonstrations of the potential new software. Schedules are available on the ERP Assessment website, and recordings and feedback surveys will be available after the demonstrations.

The Inaugural Forever Bobcat Memorial Service will take place on March 28 from 2-3 p.m. This event will celebrate and honor those Bobcats we have lost over the past two years. This is an opportunity for our campus, family and friends to gather to honor the students we have lost and recognize them as forever Bobcats. A short reception will follow the event.

If your student is thinking about changing their housing situation after room selection, has concerns about their space, or simply wants to explore their options, our Housing staff is there to help. We’ll walk them through the room change process, provide helpful tips for finding the perfect space, and answer any questions they may have about roommates or room selection. This is a great opportunity to get the answers they need in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

→ March 28 and April 1 from 4-5 p.m. in Living Learning Center 150

Students can explore and provide feedback on various furniture concepts for student bedrooms and common spaces in the upcoming McDavis Hall renovations.

March 28 | 1-3 p.m.

Students are invited to the Spring Semester Sexual Health Resource Fair, where they'll find a wide range of information and resources to support their sexual health and well-being.

Come one come all, Post alumni and students! We are back in Athens to celebrate the 2025 Alumni Reunion. Join us as we gather for a day of celebration, keynote speakers and winding down at Athens Uncorked!

April 2 | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Students can network with schools and school districts from across the country at the annual Education Career Fair. Recruiters are looking for educators, nurses, speech pathologists, social workers and more! Open networking and interview sign ups go until 10 a.m. and interviews begin at 10:30 a.m.