Union events kick off today in an opening celebration after months of planning and growing anticipation.

Opening day events include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, ice cream making with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream for graduate and professional students at 3 p.m., and daylong free samples of food from around the Union, giveaways, games and activities. There will also be back-to-back showings of movies “Back to the Future” and “Back to the Future II” beginning at 6 p.m.

Heather McGinnis, director of development for the Office of Student Life and the Union, said she hopes that all students will show up for as many events as they can attend.

“One exciting thing we will have is PopNoggins. This is where students stand in front of a green screen with their friends and lip sync a music video,” McGinnis said.

The Union staff is working to make opening day as fun and user-friendly as possible. Tours of the Union will be available in addition to signs posted in every room that give a detailed explanation of the room’s purpose. Tuesday will feature a blessing of the Union and a reception immediately following. These events will take place from 4:30-6 p.m.

“It is an all-religions, multi-faith blessing. The blessing is all-inclusive and is even for those who are non-faith,” McGinnis said.

Wednesday will mark the first concert to be held in the new Union. The Ohio Union Activities Board will be putting on a benefit concert for the 2011 Buckeyethon. The concert will feature country singer Blake Shelton. Tickets will cost $10 with proceeds going to Buckeyethon.
On the corner of 12th Avenue and High Street, a lantern tower was built as a reminder that Ohio State’s campus was on the path of the Underground Railroad. On April 6, the Union will hold a lantern-lighting dedication ceremony. McGinnis said that the lantern will remain lit as a sign of freedom.

Then, at noon on April 7, the Union will host its first spring involvement fair.

April 22 will be “Snuggie Night in the Ohio Union.” Students are asked to show up in their Snuggies. Also in attendance will be Brutus Buckeye in a Snuggie. There will be giveaways and prizes, and the event will take place in Woody’s Tavern, a bar in the Union. Woody’s will serve pizza, wine and beer from all over Ohio.

On April 25, OUAB will present comedian Andy Samberg. Samberg is known for his work on Saturday Night Live as well as his stand-up comedy and work in the comedy troupe “The Lonely Island.” The group is known for its musical parodies and Grammy-nominated song, “I’m on a Boat.” Tickets for the event will be free through the Union.
The Union will also hold weekly events for students. For example, every Monday night is OUAB Music Mondays at Woody’s Tavern, which is equipped with a DJ booth and a small stage.

There will be creative activities programs, as well. McGinnis said these are leisure classes that are held for fun and are not for credit. These classes will include cooking demonstrations in the instructional kitchen, jewelry-making and Zumba, which is a dance-workout hybrid.
Derrick Haber, a fourth-year in political science, said he is excited to see the Union open. “I haven’t really had a Union while I’ve been at school,” he said. “I have walked past the construction for the past couple of years and am glad it is finally finished.”

Student groups and organizations, as well as the general public, are allowed to request meeting and event space. However, rooms requested by student organizations can often be rented at a cheaper rate.
“Seventy-nine percent of people who have already reserved space are students,” McGinnis said. She added that the Union staff is working hard to allow students to have access to the Union.

If students are interested in reserving a meeting room, they should contact the Ohio Union. McGinnis said the Union has a team of event planners that works with students to ensure they can find a meeting or event space.

“The Union is designed to be like home, very inviting and welcoming,” McGinnis said.

McGinnis said she hopes that when students are not at home or in class, they will be at the Union.