Ohio State Introduces Summer Bridge Program – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
July 28, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Department of Athletics introduced its inaugural Summer Bridge Program this summer, designed to help incoming student-athletes with their transition to college prior to the autumn semester.
The program was designed to better prepare its participants to adjust to their first year by informing them about how to deal with the challenges student-athletes encounter on a college campus and conveying the importance of time management, classroom etiquette and success strategies.
Session V – Buckeyes Give Back
Ohio State student-athletes dedicated time to prepare over 100 snack packs for the Ronald McDonald House. These on-the-go snacks allow families to stay close to their hospitalized child without having to leave their child’s side.
The Ronald McDonald House provides families of seriously ill children a home-away-from-home while their child is receiving treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital or another area hospital. The Columbus RMHC is the largest in the world with 137 guest rooms – it can serve over 4,500 families each year by providing over 20,000 stays at the house. Supported by generous donors and volunteers, the Ronald McDonald House provides families stability during challenging, overwhelming times.
Session IV – The Classroom Experience
Student-athletes were treated to a workshop coordinated by new Faculty Athletic Representative(FAR), Dr. John Davidson. Davidson recruited OSU faculty members to come speak with incoming freshmen about such things as how to properly communicate with professors, relating work ethic on the practice field to work ethic in the classroom, how to dissect a syllabus to identify important information, and how to use technology to help enhance the learning experience.
Student-athletes were broken up into groups of 4-6 and rotated between three stations, each led by a different faculty member.
Session III – Tutoring, Financial Aid and Compliance
The third session of the Summer Bridge Program was held July 8 at the Younkin Success Center. Incoming student-athletes gathered to discuss the importance of tutoring, financial aid and compliance.
Ruth Staveley, assistant director and academic resources coordinator for SASSO, presented information on tutoring for student-athletes during the first portion of the session. She highlighted who the tutors are, where tutoring sessions take place and how long sessions typically last. Additionally, Staveley made sure to discuss what is expected from the student-athletes when they schedule a tutoring appointment: show up on time, be prepared, put in sufficient effort, have a good attitude and accomplish the work that needs to be completed.
The next segment of the night covered compliance and was led by Kyle Snoke and Matt Bartlebaugh, assistant directors of compliance. They covered topics relating to ethical conduct, complimentary admissions, gambling, fair employment, integrity and ethics during recruiting and social media etiquette. They informed student-athletes of the consequences of hazing, the zero tolerance policy in regards to drug testing and the proper grade point average a student-athlete must achieve to maintain academic eligibility.
To conclude the session, Snoke and Bartlebaugh led an informative discussion about financial aid for student-athletes. They brought awareness to the availability of a student assistance fund and reviewed practice eligibility requirements and the specifics of athletic aid. Lastly, they informed student-athletes about the ease of having direct deposit and how to set it up.
Session II – Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct
The second session of Ohio State’s inaugural Summer Bridge Program was held last night at the Younkin Success Center. Incoming student-athletes learned about the prevalent topic of academic integrity and misconduct from the Office of Academic Affairs. Since this topic can negatively impact student-athletes not only in the classroom, but in their sport, it necessitates a thorough explanation that aims to prevent such incidences from occurring by stressing the importance of avoiding procrastination and discerning what each professor defines as misconduct on the syllabus.
Dr. Kathryn Corl, the Coordinator for the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) and her successor, Dr. Hobgood, spoke to the group about plagiarism, the COAM process and academic resources on campus available for any student’s use. Gene Smith was also in attendance to oversee the event.
The university’s Code of Student Conduct defines academic misconduct as “any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the University, or subvert the educational process.” With cases on the rise, participants learned about the importance of distinguishing between what constitutes cheating and fairness and discovered that the top three types of academic misconduct include plagiarism, copying materials and unauthorized collaboration. Dr. Corl then explained how the COAM process unfolds if any individual were ever reported for any form of academic misconduct. She concluded the session by providing information on academic resources on campus that provide help with citations and research.
Session I – Introduction
The first session served to excite the incoming student-athletes and provide them with a fun atmosphere where they could make friends and acquaint themselves with campus and what it means to be a Buckeye before the following sessions and meetings with academic coaches delve into more detailed information.
“Going into this event our overall goal was to bring this cohort of student-athletes together to interact with each other and get to know the SASSO staff and our director of athletics, Gene Smith,” Adam Hatem, a facilitator of the Summer Bridge Program and SASSO academic counselor said. “I think we successfully accomplished this and I am looking forward to the continued success of this inaugural program.”
Smith, vice president/ director of athletics at Ohio State, spoke at the initial session, imparting his words of wisdom and the keys to success as a Buckeye on campus to the gathered of student-athletes. He shared a couple of important topics with the group on how to be a responsible student athlete.
“You have to take advantage of all the resources here at Ohio State, and meet with the people–coaches, advisors, SASSO–that can help them be successful,” he told the participants ardently. “Get to know the faculty. Sit in the front of the class and introduce yourself during the first week. Shake their hand and look them in the eye. Find ways to connect and stay connected with faculty and advisors,” Smith encouraged. He concluded his address by remarking on the importance of communication and reaching out for help.
“Communicate to your coaches, advisors, and SASSO when you are in need. Learn to be responsible in this way and go to people here at Ohio State that are in place to help you. Become an advocate for yourself and ask if you are not sure.”
A few of the student-athletes in attendance shared their gratitude over this new opportunity to meet their peers and familiarize themselves with Ohio State. They believed the program will help with their adjustment to college during their first year and are happy to become friends with peers facing comparable situations.
“It was such a nice, laid back atmosphere which made it easier to meet other students,” Andrea Ballinger, an incoming freshman on the women’s tennis team, explained. “Everyone was really friendly and it was nice to participate in the activities to get to know one another.”
A rising freshman on the football team, Brandon Bowen, shared similar feelings.
“It was great to get to know the other freshmen student-athletes going through the same transition as me,” he said. Bowen’s thoughts resonate with those of his peers and many show enthusiasm over being, not only an athlete at Ohio State, but a part of a program intended to help with this process.
“The unity here at Ohio State between sports is something that is truly unique, and I can’t wait for more events in the future,” Audra Appold, an incoming freshman on the women’s volleyball team, said.
