Student Author

Halloween at the Ohio Union

They say acceptance is the first step to recovery, so it’s time to admit it: as college students, we are past our prime in the trick-or treating department. In addition, you’d have to drive a little ways with that pillowcase to find a prime location to grab some candy, still there’s no reason to completely outgrow the Halloween spirit. There some are some other memorable ways to celebrate the holiday right here on campus!

A graphic of carved Halloween pumpkins

Flicks for Free

Wednesday, October 28 at 6 and 8 p.m.

Get an early start to your Halloween by stocking up on some treats and heading to the US Bank Conference Theater for the extra spooky double feature. Insidious Chapter 3 and Sinister 2 will be playing for those who want to add a little scare to their Wednesday evening-and the event ends just early enough to get home before it gets dark out.

 

Howl-O-Ween

Thursday, October 29 at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Grab some candy for yourself and learn about the benefits of service dogs for veterans and children with disabilities in the Ohio Union Great Hall! Some of the pups will even be making a guest appearance in their costumes for a photo op with attendees who wish to make a donation.

Even better, this event has a philanthropic motive: all proceeds go to Pets 4 Vets and Paws 4 Ability.

 

OUABoo

Thursday, October 29 at 7 p.m.

Begin your Halloween celebration a few days early with OUABoo on the West Plaza of the Ohio Union. Complete with a haunted house and spooky treats, this is a great way to jump into the Halloween spirit. Come if you dare.

 

Masquerade Ball

Friday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Get an old-fashioned glamorous beginning to your Hallo-weekend in the Ohio Union West Ballroom by attending UNICEF’s masquerade ball Friday night. Attire is elegant, so leave the banana costume at home and put on your best masquerade attire (formal dress and a mask.)  Entertainment, desserts and philanthropy (proceeds are doubled and donated to United Nations Children’s Fund) can be had for $8 per ticket/$15 for a pair. Make sure you get those pre-sale tickets, as prices go up to $10 at the door! Order here: http://unicefosu.wix.com/unicefosu#!masquerade-ball/pv7dx

 

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I’m Turning 50 This Fall!

Greetings to my fellow Buckeyes, it’s your friend Brutus!

The students who write for the sOUrce have asked me to write a guest post because it’s almost my birthday! Let’s kick things off by taking a little trip down memory lane to when things all started for me…

A picture of the first Brutus mascot

Photo attributed to: https://www.osu.edu/features/2015/happy-birthday-brutus.html

The year was 1965: the Beatles were playing on the radio, Ohio State students were doing “the twist” – arguably a much better dance move than the Cupid Shuffle or the whip/nae nae – and the United States had yet to land on the moon. That fall on campus, one buckeye nut was given a name and a place in history – me! The Ohio State University and I made my mascot debut at the football game against Minnesota. For the first month of my life I was paper mache, and then I was fiberglass until the early 80’s. In the late 90’s I hit the gym before the new millennium!

Another photo of the original Brutus mascot

 

Photo attributed to: https://www.osu.edu/features/2015/happy-birthday-brutus.html

 

Fast forward to 2015 and I am still doing what I love, spreading school spirit at the best collegiate institution in the nation. Some may say I am biased, to which I just have to smile because you know I am a nut of few words!

A photo of modern-day Brutus

The authors of the sOUrce as well as the Ohio Union have invited me to celebrate my big 50 with all of you, my Buckeye squad. All I want for my birthday are some pictures with the best fans in the land, so we are having a Brutus Picture Contest. Here is how to participate:

  1. Take a selfie with one of the multiple Brutus statues around the Ohio Union
  2. Instagram it with the hashtag #Brutus50 and tag @ohiounion
  3. The Ohio Union Instagram will post the pictures on Instagram
  4. Like your favorite pictures! The picture with the most likes will win a special prize, so be sure to spread the word!

This contest starts today and the winner will be announced on Friday – 10/30 – so start taking and posting those selfies!

Thanks for celebrating my birthday!

Your friend,

Brutus Buckeye

Student Org Spotlight: 8th Floor Improv

With the popularity of shows such as “Saturday Night Live” and “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” students may be familiar with sketch and improv comedy. This week’s Student Org Spotlight highlights one of Ohio State’s premiere improv comedy groups: 8th Floor Improv.

8th Floor Improv is a composed of students who enjoy performing improvised comedy. They specialize in “long form” improv, where audience members suggest a word or phrase, and the performers take it from there to create a 20 minute montage of scenes. Their name stems from the fact that the group was founded on the 8th floor of Stradley Hall in 2004.

Students in 8th Floor Improv pose for a picture in the Ohio Union Great Hall

Even though improv comedy is made up on the spot, 8th Floor Improv still holds practices to help sharpen their skills. Member Max Steele says their practices incorporate lessons and drills to improve their own skills. They do workshops from professional improvisers, play other improv games, and run sets similar to the type they perform at shows.

Steele became involved with 8th Floor his first semester on campus. Like many of the other members, he had done improv in theatre class in high school, and knew it was something he wanted to continue in college.

Students in 8th Floor Improv pose for a picture in the U.S. Bank Conference Theater

The group draws inspiration from many different sources. Some members are influenced from professional improv teams, while others are inspired by sketch comedy shows (such as SNL). They also gather material and inspiration from pop culture, such as movies, TV shows, books and video games.

8th Floor Improv will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 in the U.S. Bank Conference Theater. Shows are open to the public.

If you have a love for improv and making people laugh, the group holds auditions every semester. All you need to do is show up—no experience necessary.

For more information about student organizations, follow The sOUrce by clicking the Follow button below.

 

 

Union Universe: Corridors

Up on the third floor of The Ohio State Union, tucked into a corner, there is a small study area. A couple of arm chairs and a table would lead you to think this part of the union was your everyday space-however four doors lining the wall say otherwise.

Picture showing the doors of all of the Unions at Ohio State

The first door is dark wood, plain with an oversized keyhole that screams ancient. 117A is stamped across the front and at a first glance the door looks plain..almost boring. Upon opening the door however, there is a wealth of information about The

Original Ohio Union, which held students from 1910-1951-making the door over 100 years old. Pictures, quotes, and other information tell the story of the Union’s origins of the country’s first union at a public university.

The next door is the same dark wood, however the shape is different. It has a medieval curviness at a first glance, with the same large doorknob and fixtures. This door belongs to the Women’s Union, which operated from 1922-1951 as a social center for the female students when their allotted one room center was too small (its almost funny to think that 100 years ago, men and women weren’t allowed to be in the same building.)

Next up is the door from the first Union on High Street. This building served both male and female students from 1951-2007, making it the longest operating Student Union. Information regarding the buildings long history and the decision to remodel are depicted with photos behind the lightwood and glass pane of the door.

The last door may look familiar, and that’s because it’s the design for the doors at our current Union. The Ohio Union logo on a metallic door handle is identical to the doors you would use to go into a conference room just down the hall-but what’s different is that by opening that door you’re probably going to yet another group meeting, and by opening this door you’ll get to see the decision’s between our current building, and the culmination of 105 years of The Ohio Union.

Wellness Wednesday: BikeShare at Ohio State

Picture of bikes that are part of the bike share programStarting this semester, Ohio State is collaborating with Zagster to offer a BikeShare program to all members of the university community. The BikeShare program currently has 15 stations located on and off campus. There are a total of 115 bikes and 6 different models offered so you are sure to find a bike that fits your needs. Ohio State and Zagster have made renting bikes easy and affordable. A variety of membership plans are available including options to purchase an annual membership or even just a day pass. Sign up on the Zagster App today or text “Start” with the bike’s number to (202) 999-3924. Once you enter your bike’s number you will receive a code to unlock your bike. Then it’s just as simple as riding to your destination, returning your bike to a bike share station, locking the bike in place with the u-lock and ending the ride on the app or over text message. BikeShare takes BuckID, credit or debit.

The Ohio Union is lucky to be one of the locations chosen for a bike share station, located near the West Plaza. So come on over, pick up a bike and have a wheely good time. Have an idea for another Wellness Wednesday blog article? Email Eve Esch.12 for more information on writing a blog for the sOUrce.