Walkabout is an annual volunteer program at Miami University where volunteers visit off-campus student housing at the beginning of fall semester to welcome students and provide information about living in Oxford. The program aims to raise student awareness of the broader community and positively impact behavior through direct interaction. Volunteers are trained and given materials to distribute including information on parking rules, litter laws, safety, and community resources. They are instructed to introduce themselves, explain the purpose of Walkabout, discuss important points about living in Oxford, and answer any student questions.

1. Walkabout Volunteer Training
2016
STUDENT AFFAIRS

2. Volunteer Training Overview
What is Walkabout and
why do we do it?
General Instructions &
Information
Talking Points
1 2 3

3. WHAT IS WALKA
AND WHY DO
WE
CONTINUE DOIN
1
What is
WALKABOUT
And why do we do it?

4. Walkabout is...
An annual program in which
volunteers visit
off-campus students in their
rental houses/apartments
at the beginning of fall semester.

5. Volunteers welcome students
back to town and provide
information about living
smoothly in Oxford.

6. In addition to packets of information,
volunteers deliver cookies
to each house that answers the door.

7. Why do we do it?
College towns have dealt with challenging student behavior for decades.
Loud Noises. Litter. Unruly behavior.

8. Walkabout is based on the
premise

9. of meeting
students
where they are.

10. And that interacting with
students on their own
doorstep...

11. raises awareness of the broader
Oxford community and has a
positive impact on behavior.

13. 14th Year!
Walkabout is in its

14. WALKABOUT IS
BASED ON THE
PREMISE THAT
General Information
and Instructions
2

15. Meet at the LCNB Community
Room uptown about 15
minutes prior to your shift.
Right here!

16. You’ll receive a stack of bags and
cookies, and a folder with your route
information.

17. Sample
Route Map

18. ➔ Visit buildings with stars- these
are locations with rental permits.
➔ Should be accurate, but make
corrections on map if not
◆ (e.g. can’t find #, under construction,
doesn’t match with address, empty lot,
other)

19. Snow Routes are
dotted blue lines (no
parking during 3”+
accumulation of snow
or ANY LEVEL snow
emergency)

20. Route Spreadsheet
(inside folder)
➔ Addresses should match map stars
◆ Try to find all separate units (doors)
➔ Leave one bag per address - and only
leave cookies if you speak with the
residents.
◆ Leave bag by door / on porch (not in yard
or in mailbox)
➔ Make notes according to the
instructions at the top.

21. It will likely be hot -
take water!

22. Be sure to wear
your Walkabout
t-shirt, so
students know
you are
legitimate.

23. Remember: It’s not a race!
It should take you about 1½
hours to complete your route.

24. Upon Finishing Your Route
at least one member of team should return leftover items
and completed sheet to the LCNB Community Room.

25. ABOUT
OXFORD
LIVING IN
COMM
Talking Points /
Sample Script
3

26. When a student
tenant
answers...

27. 1: Introduce yourself!
“Hi I’m [...] and this is [...] and
we are volunteering with
the Annual Walkabout
program through Miami and
the City of Oxford.”

28. 2: Explain Walkabout
“We’re here to say welcome to a
new academic year in the Oxford
neighborhood. We have some
information for you that will help
you get settled (hand over bag).”

29. 3: Introduce the material
“We want to make sure you are
getting started on the right foot
and that you know some
important points about living in
Oxford. Some are obvious, but
some you might not know unless
you’ve been told.”

30. (No need to memorize any of this -
you’ll get a copy of a sample script
on Walkabout day as well!)

31. 4: The Mile Square
“So you’re living in the Mile Square -
this is the heart of Oxford, where many
businesses and churches are located.
The community has high expectations for
this area of town, including maintaining a
reasonable level of noise and picking up
trash in front of your house.”

32. 5: Litter
“Some people think you must have party litter
picked up by 7 or 9 am the next day, but you can
actually get a ticket for litter at any time - even
during your party.
So be sure you pick up litter off your
property, no matter how it got there,
before you head uptown or go to
sleep.”

33. 6: Parking
“There is a 72 hour parking limit
on ALL streets… so be careful
when you head home for breaks
that you aren’t leaving your car.
(Note if they are on a snow route
as well).”

34. 7: Indoor Furniture
“You also can’t have indoor
furniture stored outside -
including tables or items
used to build a table.”

35. 8: Safety
“We really want to make sure that
you and your roommates stay safe
while you’re here. A lot of students
forget to lock their doors. Oxford is a
safe town, but unlocked doors make
it pretty easy for thieves - and
student rentals can be a target during
Thanksgiving Break and Winter
Term.
We had 36 burglaries
reported last winter term
alone. We included in your
bag a couple of coupons for
free theft prevention items.
Be sure to take a look!”

36. 9: Wrap Up and Questions
“Do you have any questions so far?
Last thing is - enjoy these cookies!”

37. WALKABOUT
would not be possible without our many dedicated
volunteers who care about the Miami and Oxford
communities.
THANK YOU!!!!

38. Feel free to stop here!
But if you’re curious….

39. Packet Materials?
So what’s in the Walkabout

40. Coupon for free Safety Timer

41. Coupon for free Door / Window Alarm

42. Recycling Magnet

43. What is Walkabout / “Sorry if
we missed you” card

44. Flip Book
Information regarding who to
contact for issues, property
maintenance, trash, etc.

45. YOUR VOICE
YOUR VOTE
Flyer

46. McCullough Hyde
Memorial Hospital
Magnets

47. Emergency
Information Cards

48. Community Picnic
& Nixle Info

49. Love and Honor
Decals

50. Notice stapled to
the outside of
every bag

51. Parking in Oxford

52. Social Hosting
Tips

53. Welcome to Mile
Square and Code
of Love & Honor

54. BCRTA Bus
Schedules

55. Thanks again!
See you on August 28 and/or 29th.
Questions? Contact offcampus@MiamiOH.edu or call (513) 529-2071.