UPC is a volunteer board of students who work to plan free events on campus, providing Bobcats with a break from the everyday chaos of college.
The council’s board is broken into three departments: University Events, Creative Events, and administration.
The University Events board works to provide programs on university holidays and family weekends. The Creative Events board aims to create memorable experiences for students by planning events such as concerts or creative classes. Finally, the administration oversees and organizes UPC.
Together, these students work to organize countless events for OU students to enjoy throughout the academic year. Events begin the first week of the Fall Semester.
“For Welcome Week, what we really want to provide is space not only for incoming freshmen and transfer students, but really just for everyone to have a place where they know where they can go have a fun, free experience,” said Luke Vannus, a junior studying consumer science and education as well as the co-president and treasurer of UPC.
UPC’s 2023-24 welcome week includes the following:
While UPC has worked to provide students with a fun-filled welcome week, the council also understands that the stress of college is often prolonged.
According to reporting by USA Today, “The Red Zone” is the period between when students first arrive on campus and Thanksgiving break – a frightening time when a majority of sexual assaults on campus occur.
Vannus said that during The Red Zone, students are more likely to drop out, feel homesick or experiment with underage drinking.
“In an effort to help provide some safer alternatives for students, every Thursday through Oct. 21, we're going to be having different events,” Vannus said.
Events will include a petting zoo, a make-your-own stuffed animal event, a butterfly garden and life-sized board games. Vannus said he hopes to use these events as an educational opportunity to share information and resources for students who may be struggling.
Vannus said the council will also be continuing an event from last year they call “Flavor.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, UPC will be serving comfort foods on the third floor of Baker including mac n’ cheese and donuts. Vannus said the Flavor event will take place every Wednesday with a new theme.
“Being able to provide a little bit of food to hopefully help offset some food costs for people and provide it for those who need it is something we want to do there,” Vannus said.
To stay up to date on event details, Nava McKown, a sophomore studying psychology as well as UPC’s head social media chair and graphic designer, suggests following UPC on social media @OhioUPC or checking the University Program Council’s Bobcat Connect page.
Bozeman Koonce, a senior studying globalization and development as well as UPC’s creative events chair, said that sometimes, going to events and stepping outside of comfort zones can be intimidating, but in the end, fulfilling.
“Maybe you'll find someone new, maybe you'll bump into someone from class that you want to say, ‘hi’ to,” Koonce said. “It takes a lot of courage, but I feel like it's very rewarding.”
In the end, UPC’s main goal is to get students involved and reduce stress.
“We're really just trying to create a fun, supportive environment with free events that university students can come to that get them away from whatever stress they might be facing,” said McKown. “That way they can have a really positive and fun experience on campus.”