Grab some grubby clothes, put on some gloves and get ready to do some spring cleaning.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. , faculty, staff, students and community members can gather to beautify campus for the 13th annual University Day.
“There are quite a few activities scheduled,” University Day spokeswoman Jenise Williams said. “Anyone that wishes to help clean up the grounds is more than welcome.”
One activity will be a tree planting at 10 a.m. to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the University. Several people will be speaking at the planting ceremony, including University President Dave Frohnmayer, Williams said.
University Day was started in 1990. It was revived from an earlier tradition, much like today’s, which dates back to 1903. Students, faculty and staff come together to work on projects that include planting flowers, spreading bark mulch, picking up litter and painting.
Chris Loschiavo from the Office of Student Life said University Day is a collaborative effort among the University Day Committee, the Office of Student Life and Facilities Services. Student planners worked hard to promote participation, sending out letters with requests for donations to student groups and University departments, as well as announcing the event in their classes, he said. Facilities services employees play an important role in helping with activities throughout the day, Loschiavo said.
While the number of volunteers varies from year to year, Loschiavo said planners expect the nice weather to draw several hundred participants.
“University Day is all about helping out and pitching in,” Williams said. “It’s a good way to show pride in our school.”
Programming assistants from University Housing are encouraging students living in the residence halls to pitch in by holding a competition. All residents retrieve their mail at one of the three complex area desks, and the programming assistants will donate a new VCR or DVD player to the area desk with the highest percentage of University Day participants from the halls it serves, said Mindi Rice, a competition organizer. Residents will be able to check out this equipment from the desk.
For those who would like to participate without getting their hands dirty, a financial contribution can be made by purchasing a brick or a bench. The bricks are $100 and will be placed outside Oregon Hall. Once a brick is purchased, two or three lines of text may be placed on the brick to commemorate a name, a student group or anything of the owner’s choosing.
Those with deeper pockets can purchase a bench, which cost about $1,200 Loschiavo said the benches will be placed near the tree between the EMU and Carson Hall. Forms for purchasing a brick or a bench are available in the Office of Student Life. Students who want to participate in University Day activities can register from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Pioneer statue between Fenton and Friendly halls. Participants who work for an hour will receive a free T-shirt.