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 promote positive community relations by interacting with students and raising awareness of neighborhood expectations. Volunteers are trained and given route maps and materials to distribute to students, including information on litter ordinances, noise policies, safety tips, and community resources. Talking points for volunteers emphasize living responsibly in the Mile Square neighborhood and getting off to a good start in the Oxford community.

1. Walkabout Volunteer Training
2017
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 W
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 Insomnia 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. 15th 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
➔ 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. TALKING POINT
ABOUT OXFORD
LIVING IN COMM
SPEAKING TO S
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
give you some information about
living in Oxford. Some is 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. In fact, there are
ordinances on noise, litter, and even
nuisance parties.

32. 5: Litter
“Some people think you must have litter picked
up by 7 or 9 am the next day, but you can
actually get a ticket for litter at any time.
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. Good Neighbor Policy
“Also - Miami keeps track of litter, noise,
and party violations by HOUSE, and you
can be held accountable on campus for
these types of citations, especially if get
more than one.”

34. 6: Indoor Furniture
“You also can’t have indoor
furniture like couches or
tables stored outside or on
your porch.”

35. 7: Safety
“We really want to make sure that you
and your roommates stay safe while
you’re here. Number one tip: LOCK YOUR
DOORS! It’s especially common for
houses to get broken into over breaks.
AND - always lock your car doors as
well.
We had 36 burglaries
reported last winter term
alone.”

36. 9: Wrap Up and Questions
“Do you have any questions so far?
Last thing is - enjoy these cookies!”
The bag has more info in it as well -
on parking, Nixle, Good Neighbor
Policy and more.

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

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

42. Emergency
Information Cards

43. Alcohol Poisioning / Step
Up Magnets

44. Coupon for free Door Alarms and Safety
Timers

45. Recycling Magnet

46. Meet your ASG
Senator &
District Map

47. Citizen YOU

48. Community Picnic

49. Butler County
Recycle Right

50. Notice stapled to
the outside of
every bag

51. Parking in Oxford
Brochure

52. Community Arts
Center Brochure

53. Football Schedule
Cards

54. Family Weekend /
Homecoming
Card (2-sided)

55. Homecoming
House Decorating
Contest

56. Off-Campus
Housing Service

57. Good Neighbor
Policy &
Social Hosting
Tips

58. Oxford Chip Clip

59. SAMPLE
Oxford Chamber
of Commerce
Coupons

60. McCullough Hyde
Memorial Hospital
Cell Phone
Wallets

61. Thanks again!
See you on August 27 and/or 28th.
Questions? Contact offcampus@MiamiOH.edu or call (513) 529-2071.