The university should have as part of the freshman class requirement a community service project of choice to offer students and a way to bond with their freshman class. Southeast Ohio and urban renewal were the university would supply transportation. Environmental projects to help with land management and farming projects to provide assistance at CSAs. If the university would market that to prospective families it might catch the interest of students who want something mission oriented. Then there is also a self selection factor on what project you take and likeminded people you can meet. Actually best to make it an elective and substitution for a required course so a student doesn't have to necessarily have to take on a community service project.
More of us need to start pounding this drum, both in Athens and Columbus. The State of Ohio needs to recognize that OU is a latent vehicle for change in SE Ohio and force the issue. We need eyeballs on the problem as well as dollars.