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���Ͽ� students who live off campus in Menomonie may get a friendly knock on their door Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day before fall semester classes begin.

The university’s Knock and Talk initiative, in its third year, will reach out to students living in the community. About 25 faculty and staff volunteers are expected to visit 250 homes in several neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to drop off about 800 welcome back bags.

“The initiative is meant to connect with our off-campus students, welcome them back for the year and encourage them to make safe and healthy choices,” said Nate Kirkman, assistant dean of students who is leading the effort.

The reusable bags will include a variety of things: information on safety, city ordinances, student conduct policies, voting, tenant rights and local service agencies; blood alcohol content charts; coupons and small gifts from local businesses and entities; and more.

Along with greeting the students and presenting the bags, volunteers will briefly discuss the initiative.

“We want to make sure that our off-campus students know that we care about them and to remind them to look out for their fellow Blue Devils,” Kirkman said.

Knock and Talk is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Coalition on Alcohol and Drugs and the Dean of Students Office.