A green frisbee soared across the Oval as Falon Rainer spoke of Ohio State’s oldest traditions. She guided new transfer students through campus, her voice booming across the Oval as she told tales of Buckeye pride and glory, tradition and love. The bells chimed from Orton Hall, and the smell of blossoming trees welcomed the students to campus.

The students were part of the new orientation program called “The Students, They are a Changin,” which debuted on March 31.

The program is designed to assist new transfer and change students who are adjusting to the Columbus campus.

“We are a family at Ohio State, and we want to welcome you and show you some of the cool things that we do here and encourage you to get involved in them,” said Rainer, co-chair of Ohio Staters, Inc., a student organization focused on serving the campus community.

The students were given a brief introductory tour of the Ohio Union.

The tour of campus included several highlights: Mirror Lake, the Oval, Thompson Library and the RPAC.

After the tour, students were provided with a pizza dinner. They talked to representatives from student organizations such as Greek life, Recreational Sports and Undergraduate Student Government and were able to talk to current students about research opportunities.

Each student was given a memory box to house keepsakes, including ‘goodie bags,’ complete with a jump drive and resource guide, and coupons to local businesses and restaurants.

Cearra Thimmes, a transfer student from Hocking College, was amazed by the size of OSU. She looked out over the Oval; music was blaring, and students rode their bikes, napped in the sun and played football.

“It’s a lot bigger than I expected. You hear it’s big, but it’s a bazillion times bigger,” she said.

According to OSU’s Facilities Operations and Development, OSU boasts nearly 470 buildings, which cover 1,762 acres.

“Don’t forget your map,” Thimmes advised new students.

It was Thimmes’ third day on campus.

“At first I felt lost, but now I guess it’s just more overwhelming because I’m not used to such a big city or being around this many people,” she said.

Joel Fry, also a co-chair of Ohio Staters, Inc., changed to the Columbus campus from the Lima campus.

“I received no sort of orientation. I had no idea what a swipe was or how to do anything, where to eat. I didn’t even know where my dorm room was,” he said.

He worked more than a year with the Transfer Students Activities Board and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience to develop a program that would help students transferring to Columbus campus in Winter and Spring quarters.

Students learned how to ride CABS buses, register for classes and use Carmen.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience provides larger orientation programs in the fall because the number of transfer and change students is greater, but basic assistance is offered other quarters, as well. “I figured that I’m not the only one, and I wanted to help out other people,” he said.

The program started with a session providing information about how to get involved in one of the many student organizations at OSU.

The Ohio Staters, Inc. program looks to help incoming students find
what they love about this campus, get involved and create their own traditions.

“It’s really just about wanting the best for our fellow students and wanting them to enjoy their time here and to make the most out of it and to feel like home,” Rainer said. “Because that’s what it is, it is home to them.”