Welcome to Bobcat Nation: OHIO's 2024 Bobcat Student Orientation
With the summer sun shining over Athens, Ohio University’s campus is buzzing with the arrival of incoming students for Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO).
Photos by Ben Siegel and Maria Gian | July 15, 2024
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Bobcat Student Orientation aims to make the transition into college life as smooth and productive as possible for incoming first-year students. From the moment new students and their families arrive, the sense of community is clear. BSO is more than just an introduction to college life; it’s the beginning of an incredible journey at Ohio University.
Building a Community
Orientation leaders play a crucial role in helping new students acclimate. Corey Rogier, a junior majoring in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences, emphasizes the importance of making new students feel at home. “During breaks I frequently check in on my club members, see what all is happening, and I typically work during those breaks for the University.” His proactive approach is a common example of the supportive environment at OHIO.
For Orientation Leader Taylor Bice, a sophomore in Music Education, the connections she made during her first days on campus are lasting. “I made sure to talk to people in my classes. Especially with other freshmen, people will be excited that someone is reaching out to get to know them. Also, when you meet new people, keep in touch! Staying connected with the people you meet may be more difficult than it was in high school because you probably won’t see them as often unless you make plans.”
BSO allows new Bobcats to both acclimate to campus and discover the opportunities OHIO offers. From academic advising to discovering student organizations, the orientation is designed to set students up for success.
Discovering New Spaces
For many incoming students, the orientation is their first real taste of campus life. Orientation Leader Kathleen Perry, a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering, fondly recalls her first days at OHIO. “My favorite memory at Ohio University so far is hiking with the Ohio University Mindfulness-Based Living Club. It was a beautiful experience and it made me feel connected with not only my peers, but also with the land and the nature surrounding Athens.”
This sense of connection is something BSO aims to foster from the start. New students explore the sprawling campus, from the serene Emeriti Park to the bustling Baker University Center, which houses the BSO Resource Fair. Perry says Baker Center is her go-to building on campus. "My favorite campus building is Baker Center... it has so many fantastic resources and serves as a great middle ground place where I can relax during my day by getting a drink from Front Room or reading the latest copy of The Post."
Whenever a problem arises, I try to think if there is a campus resource available to help me first before I search for a solution elsewhere. Need a book for class? I check if it is available at Alden or through an inter-library loan. Need some mental health support? I go to Counseling and Psychological Services’ drop-in hours. Need some business clothes for an interview? I stop by the Career Closet and see if there’s a nice blazer I can use.
Bringing BSO to Life
Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs Vincent Prior notes that showing off the University to its incoming students is one of the highlights of his staff's—many of whom are also current students—years. "We’ve supported approximately 10,000 orientation participants (students and guests) so far this summer, and we couldn’t have accomplished this without the support of everyone in our campus community," Prior says. "In addition, our graduate interns, Orientation Leaders, and BSO Office Assistants were some of the strongest teams we’ve ever had in their respective roles, and the success of our programs was due to their dedication and enthusiasm."
Most orientation leaders apply for the job remembering what it was like to arrive on campus for the first time as an incoming student. "I will always have a fond memory of New Student Convocation [in the fall]," Taylor Bice says. "I was really nervous coming to campus, and getting the chance to share that memory with people who were going through the same thing was really helpful."
Preparing for the Journey Ahead
As the orientation progresses, new students begin to see OHIO not just as a place of learning but as a community where they can grow and thrive. Taylor Bice advises, “I wish someone had told me that it’s okay to prioritize mental health. Doing well in school is definitely important, but nothing is more important than your health and well-being. If you need to take a mental health day, that’s okay! You will catch up and be just fine.”
Bice also emphasizes the benefits of new students forming relationships on campus. "I love how connected everyone is. People have the opportunity to get really close with the people in their residence hall, and they get more opportunities to spend time together when events are hosted for their building."
Bice also emphasizes the benefits of new students forming relationships on campus. "I love how connected everyone is. People have the opportunity to get really close with the people in their residence hall, and they get more opportunities to spend time together when events are hosted for their building."
By the end of the BSO program, students and their families leave with a sense of belonging and excitement for the future. Corey Rogier sums it up with valuable encouragement for incoming OHIO students: “My go-to strategy for staying motivated is reminding myself of what the future holds and my path to get there.”
