It’s not exactly the Welcome Wagon, but doors will be knocked on and hands will be shaken when UO and community leaders again venture forth to greet students living in the neighborhoods around campus.

Known as the Community Welcome, the event is fast becoming a tradition at the university. It takes place Tuesday, Sept. 29, and involves a team of about 100 volunteers who go door to door to greet students, offer safety tips and encourage them to be good neighbors.

UO President Michael Schill will take part in his first welcome walk, joining Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, UO Vice President for Student Life Robin Holmes and ASUO President Helena Schlegel and about 100 volunteers. They’ll fan out to more than 2,000 residences east, west and south of the university and speak to residents individually.

"I am looking forward to welcoming our students who live off campus during the Community Welcome,” Holmes said. “It is a great opportunity to meet more of our amazing students and talk about ways we can help keep students safe and build respectful relationships in our neighborhoods."

As in the past, one of the messages the teams will deliver is the importance of being a good neighbor. Students are encouraged to be respectful residents of the off-campus community by meeting their neighbors, keeping the noise down and making positive contributions to the neighborhood.

Another thing on the checklist is reminding residents about the city’s ordinance on unruly gatherings, a law that holds party hosts responsible for gatherings at which alcohol is present and at least two illegal behaviors, such as prohibited noise, minor in possession or furnishing alcohol to minors, are occurring. The UO’s Code of Student Conduct also applies to most illegal off-campus behaviors.

But people also get information about how to keep their homes and property safe and about their rights as tenants. Greeters want student residents to enjoy their time in the neighborhoods and avoid becoming victims or finding themselves in unhappy situations.

“Our goal is to welcome students who live off campus back for the year, let them know they are valued members of the greater community, and encourage them to be safe and respectful members of that community,” said Karen Hyatt, director of local community and neighborhood relations.

The walk will run from 4 to 7 p.m. The Community Welcome began in 2009 and is a collaborative effort the UO, the city of Eugene and neighborhood leaders.

—By Greg Bolt, Public Affairs Communications