If Ottawa University Students or employees need to save some money in this economy, it may be as easy as looking to the local businesses in Ottawa.
Brooke Riffel, Ottawa University Director of Annual Giving, said she hopes that OU student and employee discounts will make the students feel welcome and let them know the community embraces them.
While Ottawa area businesses have always supported OU, this year was lead off with a new initiative, she said.
“My goal is that students will get off campus and see what Ottawa has to offer,” Riffel said.
Paul Bean, Vice President for University Advancement, said there was a campaign to gather business support.
“A bunch of us went downtown and asked businesses for support of OU employees and students especially,” he said.
Lisha Hobbs, co-owner of Pizza Time Pub, said their company chose to give discounts to Ottawa University for many reasons.
“We want to support our local University,” she said. “We like having students spend their time here and to entertain them.”
Hobbs thinks the area businesses will also benefit in return for offering deals to students.
“It’s wonderful to be in a small town with a university and we wouldn’t want to lose that opportunity,” she said.
Riffel said The overall goal is that students will start shopping locally instead of somewhere else and support area businesses, while in turn getting something back by saving money when they utilize the discounts offered.
Riffel said it is important for students to know the campus gets tremendous support from local businesses. They fund scholarships, campus programs and activities, facilities, as well as employment opportunities. They invest in the students and hope they will appreciate that fact and visit their businesses, she said.
“It is a good relationship to embrace,” Riffel said.
In September, an e-mail was sent to OU students recognizing these businesses what discounts those businesses offer to students and faculty of the university.
Most discounts require a student ID.