Aug 06, 2025   |  FAMILIES

I’m eagerly counting down the days until the start of the fall semester at OHIO! By the time our next edition reaches your inbox, your student will likely be finalizing their move-in plans, already on campus to help Bobcats arrive, or planning which Welcome Week festivities to attend.

Though our packing check list and Fall Arrival Guide are primarily for on-campus students, they are helpful resources to aid anyone preparing for the start of the semester. Read on in this edition of Keeping Bobcats Informed for more ways for your student to get ready for another academic year, including important traffic information throughout the month for those of you traveling to Athens. 

See you soon for move-in or Family Weekend!

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

Your student can find their academic college on social to stay up-to-date with info specific to their major!

Parents and families can stay connected too through the official Parent and Family Facebook page!

Does your student need to speak to a counselor? Are they just looking for a place to start improving their mental health? Counseling and Psychological Services has so many resources whether they want one-on-one or couples counseling, group conversation, self-guided therapy, events for their well-being, or more. Students can get started whenever they need to.

At OHIO, students will find a vibrant Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) community with 30 active chapters — and three more joining this year! SFL offers leadership, service, friendship and a sense of belonging. Students can connect with SFL during Welcome Week events or just stop by their office in Baker 330. Learn how to join.

Whether living with a roommate is a new experience or something your student has done before, they will find that sharing a room with another person requires open and honest communication, cooperation, compromise, flexibility and respect.

For students living on campus, all residents are required to complete Living Agreements via Roompact within the first few days of arriving. They can review some tips for mutual expectations in the last dropdown of the Bobcat Living Experience webpage.

Each Green has its own mail room for letter mail and package pickup. When sending mail to students living on campus, do not use the mail room address. Instead, always use their hall address formatted like this:

FULL STUDENT NAME
HALL NAME and ROOM NUMBER
HALL ADDRESS
ATHENS, OH 45701

Students can find their specific hall address and mailroom hours and more details. Off-campus students can use the USPS location in Baker Center as well as shipping services drop boxes outside of the fourth floor.

Students can help Bobcats get settled on campus and get the chance to move in early (and waive the early move-in fee for on-campus students) by volunteering for the Bobcat Move-In Crew. And remember, it's not just about assisting others – they'll also earn volunteer hours, receive a complimentary t-shirt and indulge in some tasty snacks. Volunteers will need to attend a training and two move-in shifts.

Applications close on August 8 at 11:59 p.m. 

 →  Find more info

As you prepare to help your student move in, on or off campus, be aware that construction projects are underway throughout campus and on nearby roads. These improvements may cause delays or changes to both vehicle and pedestrian routes.

A temporary traffic pattern change will be in effect for outbound traffic on Stimson Avenue due to ongoing construction August 20-24. Motorists are asked to follow all posted directional signage and should detour onto East State Street when traveling out of Athens. 

 →  More traffic info

OhioHealth Campus Care is Ohio University’s student health center – located in the Hudson Health Center in Hudson Hall. They offer a wide range of health services. All Ohio University undergraduate, graduate and medical students who are enrolled for one or more credit hours are eligible to use the services. Students do not have to be enrolled in the University Student Health Insurance to use the services. 

 →  Curious if your insurance is accepted? Find out. 

August 21-31

The semester kicks off with an activity-filled week as we gather in Athens! Welcome Week is open to all students regardless of their year or whether they live on campus.

 →  View all the events

One-Stop Resources

Go OHIO app

Parents & Families Hub