Ohio State News Alert: Year-end safety update

Kristina M. Johnson, president of The Ohio State University, shared a year-end safety message with students and their families as they plan and prepare for autumn commencement on Sunday.

Approximately 3,600 graduates will receive their diplomas.

“I have no doubt that you’ll make Buckeye Nation proud as you move on to new and exciting endeavors, and I encourage you to stay connected to our university through the Ohio State Alumni Association,” Johnson said in a new video.

“Your safety and well-being are always our top priorities, and the university has taken a number of steps since the start of the semester to enhance safety – and provide you with additional resources.”

A full list of safety resources is available on Ohio State’s Department of Safety website. Steps taken by the university to advance safety throughout the autumn semester include:

• An additional $2 million per year over the next decade to increase safety and security measures on and off campus, bringing the total campus public safety budget to $35 million annually.
• Significant increases in lighting and surveillance in the most-traveled off-campus areas, including 20 mobile lights and nine mobile cameras.
• Expanded law enforcement patrols, added non-sworn security, additional Campus Service Officers and the enhanced Buckeye Block Watch program — all part of the university’s holistic safety efforts off-campus.
• Distribution of nearly 5,000 free personal safety devices for students.
• Expanded the hours and service boundaries of the Lyft Ride Smart program.

These actions supplement the university’s ongoing efforts, including self-defense and safety courses, parent roundtables, free window and door alarms and timers, and more. Johnson said the university’s focus on safety will continue with additional measures and enhancements in the spring and beyond.