Month: November 2014

Fun Fact Friday: The Ohio State vs University of Michigan Rivalry

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One of best rivalries in sports resumes Saturday, when Ohio State and Michigan meet on gridiron for the 111th time.

This famed rivalry did not get started on the football field, but rather a conflict over the Toledo Strip.  The conflict erupted when both Ohio and Michigan claimed Toledo as a part of their statehood petition. After a brief and bloodless battle, Ohio gained the disputed area from Michigan

This incident increased tension between the two states for over 60 years before the two teams met on the field for the first time in 1897. Since then, the rivals have met every year on for their last regular season game.

With such a long and historic rivalry, there are many traditions from their meetings. Ohio State started the “Gold Pants” tradition in 1942. Each Ohio State player and coach receives a gold miniature charm depicting a pair of football pants after a victory over the Michigan Wolverines. Many former football players recall receiving their Gold Pants as their most memorable part of their careers at Ohio State.

In addition to these gold pants, football players can secure their place in Ohio State lore by a great game against Michigan. One player who had standout games against Michigan was Archie Griffin.  During Archie’s senior year 1975, Ohio State came back from behind and beat Michigan 21-14. That was the year that Archie Griffin won his second Heisman trophy. That trophy is on display outside the Great Hall at the Union.

In recent years, the rivalry has taken a turn in Ohio State’s favor. Ohio State has won the last nine out of ten meetings with Michigan. Saturday will be another chance for Ohio State to extend that streak to three consecutive wins under Urban Meyer and have bragging rights for the next year.  The game kicks off at noon at Ohio Stadium! Go Bucks!

For those interested in more information about the rivalry, check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irqM7BHhlKc

Thanksgiving with your Buckeye Family

Volunteers at the Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Volunteers at the Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time for relaxing, eating and reuniting with loved ones. However, not all Ohio State students, faculty and staff have the ability to go home to their family and friends. In response to this, The Ohio State University will host one of the largest Thanksgiving Day dinners on a college campus. The dinner will be tomorrow, Thursday, November 27.  The meal will be served at two different times, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This event is now a Signature Event at Ohio State and is hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as well as the Office of International Affairs.

This tradition began 23 years ago when a couple dozen graduate students gathered in the Hale Black Cultural Center. Since then it has grown to around 1,600 attendees, along with numerous volunteers, to enjoy dinner and make new friends. So if you, or someone you know will be spending Thanksgiving break here in Columbus in the future, be sure to check out this event and enjoy a Thanksgiving Day dinner with your Buckeye family. Tickets are required for entry, and tickets are still available at both the Hale Black Cultural Center and the Ohio Union Information Center.

What’s your Favorite Thanksgiving tradition? Please comment below!

One of the many delicious options at the Thanksgiving Day Dinner

One of the many delicious options at the Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Beat Michigan Week is Here!

Beat Michigan Week:

  Beat Michigan Week Beat Michigan Week celebrates the historic tradition of Michigan and Ohio State rivalry. Through out this week, there are going to be activities at the Ohio Union to get everyone in the spirit for this Saturday’s game!

Here are a few highlights of the events that are going on:

Blood Battle: We are ready to beat Michigan again… in the blood battle! For the month of November, Ohio State is competing with That School Up North to collect the most blood donations. Multiple blood drives are going on each day until the 26th.

Hunger Battle: The Battle Against Hunger is going on throughout the entire month of November. The program aims to create awareness of the issues surrounding food insecurity through food drives, service and educational events.

 Beat Michigan Craft Night: Kick off your Beat Michigan Week to a crafty start. Join us in the Ohio Union West Ballroom on Sunday, November 23 and create something showing your Buckeye Pride!

Beat Michigan Pep Rally: The event will be held on Monday, November 24 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.in the Ohio Union Grand Ballroom. It will feature football, women’s volleyball and hockey captains. There will be special appearances by Genesis, Ohio State of Mind, Dr. J and President Drake. The rally will also include free giveaways: winter gear from lululemon, t-shirts and a chance to win other prizes. Don’t miss the great event!

 8th Floor Improv Presents: The Beat Michigan Show: Get ready to laugh and get pumped up to Beat Michigan with this two-hour improvised show. It is open to all Ohio State students. It will be held in the US Bank Conference Theater from 8- 10 p.m. on the 24th.

Pizzapalooza: Campus Dining services will host a pizza party on the Ohio Union West Plaza on Tuesday, November 25 starting at 9 p.m. It will feature special “Beat Michigan” pizza!

OSU-Michigan Football Game:  Don’t forget to cheer on the Buckeyes against That Team Up North on Saturday! The game kicks off at noon at Ohio Stadium. The Ohio Union will open at 8 a.m.

Go Bucks!

Fun Facts Friday – Block O Contest Results

Block O on Baseball Card

Block O on baseball card of Alice Hohlmayer

The Block O Contest is officially over! Thanks to everyone who responded to our earlier post with a guess as to how many Block O’s there are in the Ohio Union.  After scouring through the building, the total number of Block O’s from the 3rd floor to the basement comes to 625. Ranging in location from the chandeliers on the ceiling to a baseball card in a hallway,

 

Block O’s can be found on every floor. Not only are they etched into Ohio State tradition, they are etched into the Ohio Union itself.

Block O Light Fixture

Chandelier in the Ohio Union

Block O on the floor

Floor tile outside the Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom

When visiting the Ohio Union be sure to keep your eyes peeled eyes peeled and see how many Block O’s you can find!

 

Block O on 3rd Floor wall

Block O on 3rd floor wall

The winner of the contest will be notified via email. Thanks again to all who participated!

Wellness Wednesday – Financial Wellness

It’s Wellness Wednesday featuring…. Financial Wellness!

Food for thought: “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”– Dave Ramsey, Financial Author and Motivational Speaker


It’s no secret that many college students struggle with budgeting and managing all of the financial demands that come with being officially out on their own. Now, let’s break this down a bit shall we? After accounting for the basic necessities such as food, rent and utilities that often leaves ….. NO MONEY for social spending! If this situation describes your life, know that you are not alone. Thousands of students have the same troubles of living pay check to pay check with no spending flexibility without compromising one of the basic necessities.

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Excitement abounds once purchase is “approved”

The good news is that Student Life’s Ohio Union provides a number of resources available to students that could help alleviate some of the financial burdens college students experience. Often times students take for granted the amazing opportunities that come with being a student. The purpose of this post is to offer these resources and encourage students to be more conscious of their spending habits. Listed below are the top 5 Ohio Union resources to help students with your budget.

1.      The Resource Room

Available to all Ohio State students and student organizations, the Resource Room is available for students to print, create posters, purchase balloons, make buttons and much more … all at a discounted rate! Students also have access to butcher paper, markers, rubber bands, letter Cut-Outs, sidewalk chalk, paper folding machine, video editing software, design of business cards, paper cutter and faxing and scanning machines. They even have sporting balls and board games available for temporary rental. Why spend money on purchasing these things when you can rent them for super cheap or even FREE? Find out more information at www.ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/student_organizations/resourceroom

2.      Off Campus & Commuter Student Engagement/Neighborhood Services and Collaboration

Many aren’t aware of the wonder things these offices have to offer. Some of the free services and products available to off campus and commuter students include free safety alarms, light timers, window locks, and a housing excellence program. If you would like to find our more on how to access these services, visit www.offcampus.osu.edu/

3.      Financial Seminars

Located within the Ohio Union, US Bank has created a way to further educate students about topics surrounding financial stability with seminars about Financial Wellness! Topics will include budgeting, credit card basics, savings, finances during study abroad and identity theft protection. For more information, stop by the branch location within the Ohio Union (located on the first floor near The Ohio State University Bookstore). Huntington Bank also offers assistance and exclusive offers for all Ohio State University students, faculty and staff. The Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership & Service will again host a Wellness Wednesday event today featuring Financial Wellness. See previous post, available here, for more information on Wellness Wednesdays.

4.      The Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB)

As the Ohio Union’s student programming board, OUAB has the mission of providing diverse programs and events that are educational, entertaining and thought provoking for the Ohio State student body. By staying connected with OUAB, you can always find a FREE upcoming event to get involved in. OUAB specializes in bringing a variety entertainment to campus through their numerous committees focusing on Comedy, Lectures, Concerts, Visual and Fine Arts and much more. During this semester alone, OUAB has featured events with Pentatonix, James Franco, weekly movie premieres, cooking classes, a hip-hop hypnosis, Judy Smith and Chance the Rapper. What better way to engage in social activities then to attend free events that spark your interest? To find out more about upcoming events, check out www.ouab.osu.edu or follow their social media pages (@ouab).

5.      Discount Tickets available at the Ohio Union Information Desk

With a student budget in mind, Student Life’s Discount Ticket Program (D-Tix) offers tickets year round to Columbus-area shows, museums, concerts, sporting events, comedy clubs and other local attractions at an exclusive rate. D-Tix is funded by the student activity fee and available to current Ohio State undergraduate, graduate and professional students. This program encourages students to get involved and explore everything Columbus has to offer. More information can be found at www.ohiounion.osu.edu/things_to_do/dtix