PARENTS EDITION Parent and Family Weekend returns, welcomes loved ones to campus AUBREY WRIGHT Senior Lantern Reporter wright.2257@osu.edu
Everyone better be on their best behavior this weekend, as parents will be roaming the campus. After last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic, Ohio State’s annual Parent and Family Weekend will take place Friday and Saturday. Those attending university programs this weekend can register for free at the Ohio Union, Ryan Lovell, associate dean of students with the Office of Student Life, said. “We often say to our families as they’re coming through orientation that now that they’ve got a student enrolled at Ohio State, whether they went here or whether they’re from Ohio, they’re now part of our Buckeye family,” Lovell said. “We view families as being an essential part of a student’s success.” Parent and Family Weekend, held by Parent and Family Relations within the Office of Student Life, is for parents, families and any supporters of students, Lovell said. Students have a chance to highlight their time on campus for their loved ones. University spokesperson Dave Isaacs said in an email the university enjoys hosting the event for students and their families. “It’s great that they see Ohio State through their student’s eyes and get a better understanding of their life on campus,” Isaacs said. “Many of our
families are alumni themselves, and are often comparing notes with their students about what has changed and what has stayed the same at the university since they graduated.” Anyone attending an on-campus Parent and Family Weekend event will be expected to follow university COVID-19 guidelines, Lovell said. Unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask at all times, and vaccinated people must wear a mask indoors. Lovell said programming and events are flexible, so students and their families can attend any at their convenience. He said families only have to check in once at the Ohio Union to ensure they have access to all university facilities and events held for the weekend. The self-guided Ohio Stadium tours, one of the most popular events, will take place Friday from 3-7 p.m. Families can tour the stadium, go down onto the field and access private areas such as the press boxes, the Yassenoff Recruit Center and the Steinbrenner Band Center. During the tour, Brutus Buckeye and some members of the spirit squad will be available for pictures, Lovell said. A Graeter’s ice cream truck will also be near the Ohio Stadium Friday beginning at 4 p.m. “Families are kind of on their own so they can explore the different spaces in the stadium,” Lovell said. “It’s really just a great opportunity for families to get into the stadium and really experience what PARENTS CONTINUES ON 3
MARCY PAREDES | MANAGING EDITOR FOR DESIGN