Biking Towards Success

OSUIT's proposed "Biking Towards Success" project will purchase bicycles (with locks) to provide a more accessible, efficient, and healthy mode of transportation to in-need students, attending classes on-campus. As it is, Okmulgee County has inadequate public transportation with limits on availability, days and hours in operation. As well as, costly. In addition to the students' academic demands and limited budgets college students often opt for the less healthy option in food choices which can lead to heart disease. Providing healthier choices of food along with healthy transportation can combat factors which directly attribute to heart disease found among college age students. In 2022, OSUIT's campus outreach center, Pete's Pantry, received an anonymous donation of 10 bicycles to benefit students living on-campus without transportation. Students apply for a free bike through a needs­ based application and applications are reviewed and approved by OSUIT's Social Service Liaison. To date, all bikes are in-use and there is a growing waitlist of in-need students requesting a bicycle. These bikes have not only provided students with transportation but as well as an excellent means for cardiovascular exercise.

“I was shot in the head back in June of 2020. I started classes on 9/7/2022 and at that time I was walking back and forth to the campus. But due to being shot in the right side of my head it has affected the left side of my body. With that being said my left side is a lot weaker and is numb. I went to Pete's pantry one day to get a few items. This is where I learned about possibly getting a bike. I decided to apply and thankfully they had a few bikes left and I was approved. It has been very helpful with me getting to my classes. But not only does it help with getting to and from school it also helps me when I may need to go to the store which I only live a few blocks from a couple different store it keeps me from having to walk. This was absolutely an amazing thing that they had done for. I am beyond thankful!”

Brittany Pope

OSUIT Freshman

I endorse the proposed project, "Biking Towards Success." This project aligns with OSUIT's and Pete's Pantry's values to promote student success by removing roadblocks that may prohibit all students from obtaining a high-quality education. Additionally, this project promotes student wellness. -Dr. Trey Hill (Dean School of Arts, Science & Health OSU Institute of Technology)