Areas of focus include:

• Safety resources
• Getting around campus
• Well-being resources
• Freedom of expression and civic engagement
• AI Fluency

Safety resources

The safety of all Buckeyes is Ohio State’s top priority. The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) has an authorized strength of 78 full-time officers supported by hundreds of non-sworn security personnel, a campus 9-1-1 call center and security technology. OSUPD works closely with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) to offer increased patrols in the off-campus University District, including through the joint patrol program that pairs four OSUPD officers with officers from CPD to work in the nearby neighborhood where many students live.

While campus is a safe place, crimes do still occur. Police recommend the following safety tips:

• Lock doors and windows and do not allow unknown people into your home or residence hall.
• Utilize public transportation or walk in groups to avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• Report suspicious activity to OSUPD (614-292-2121) or local city police. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

The Office of Student Life provides students with complimentary safety devices for their off-campus homes, including window and door alarms. These can be picked up at the Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office at the Ohio Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn about safety resources and more, visit the university’s public safety website.

Getting around campus

Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State offers students discounted late-night rides in a designated area from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. CABS On-Demand is a free service offered to all Buckeyes, providing daytime and overnight service to select buildings. As autumn semester gets underway, campus will be busier than usual. Expect heavier traffic, plan for extra travel time, avoid distractions and watch out for your fellow Buckeyes. Review transportation updates, including CABS and CABS On-Demand changes, the COTA digital pass in the Ohio State app and the university traffic impact map.

Well-being resources

A variety of services are available to help support the well-being of our community. Students can utilize the university’s online Health and Wellness Resource Guide to quickly search for the most appropriate resource. Health and wellness related services are listed alphabetically and can be searched by feature using the specific criteria within the 10 Dimensions of Wellness.

• The Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) provides individual and group mental health services, workshops and outreach programming to currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and others covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan. CCS on-demand services offer ways for students to get help whenever it’s needed.
• Student Life Disability Services consults with students on a one-to-one basis to: review academic accommodations based on concerns including mental health; discuss concerns with classes or instructors; and refer students to additional campus and community resources.
• The Monda Student Resource Center helps students’ holistic, essential needs through resources and support from campus and community partners.
• Student Health Services offers on-campus health care options to the student population while Recreational Sports promotes living an active life of balance, physical activity and well-being.
• The Ohio State: Wellness app supports students’ mental health and well-being on campus with resources, connections to support, information about setting goals and building healthy habits.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize resources through the Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP member portal connects employees with online tools, well-being resources and work-life services that are available to eligible Ohio State employees, their dependents, household members, parents and parents-in-law.

Freedom of expression and civic engagement

The First Amendment and Ohio law expressly protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the university to lawfully engage in speech and expressive activities. The Freedom of Expression website is an online hub for support resources, policies and other information to help everyone participate in public discourse and exercise their rights. Ohio State's University Space Standards provide comprehensive information about using spaces on our campus, including the space reservation process and associated rules.

Ohio State expects members of our community to contribute to an environment where trust and respectful dialogue are the expectation — not the exception. To advance this, the university launched an initiative to help members of our community listen and discuss different perspectives productively, build trust with one another, learn how to clearly articulate their points of view and successfully navigate complex conversations. Listen. Learn. Discuss. helps students, faculty and staff draw connections and form skills to engage in productive and respectful dialogue. Visit the Listen. Learn. Discuss. website to find courses, workshops and events that support the practice of civil discourse.

The university remains committed to its motto of “Education for Citizenship” by supporting civic engagement.

• OSU Votes is a nonpartisan, student-led initiative in the Office of Student Life that works to register, educate and encourage other students to vote. OSU Votes can provide resources and facts on the voting process and voter registration.
• Ohio State is implementing a university-wide Asynchronous Learning and Civic Engagement Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following a resolution passed by University Senate in autumn 2025.

AI Fluency

In autumn 2025, Ohio State unveiled the groundbreaking AI Fluency initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into the Ohio State educational experience and support an educational environment that maximizes learning, creativity and impact. In the second year of this initiative, the university is expanding its offering of programs, courses and resources for students, staff and faculty.

• Colleges across the university have developed academic roadmapsshowing how undergraduates will build and use AI skills within their majors, from the College of Arts and Sciences helping to shape the future of AI to Fisher College of Business forging connections and collaborationwithin its research community.
• The Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning continues to expand its AI Fluency support resources for instructors at all levels and launched a fellows program for this fall.

Visit the Office of Academic Affairs for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and subscribe to the AI Fluency at Ohio State newsletter to stay up to date on AI Fluency news and developments. For staff, the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation offers training, educational courses and more, and all available resources are offered on the “Learn to use AI” webpage. Virtual and in-person training can be found on the AI Resources and Events page.

The Ohio State University Columbus campus will resume in-person classes, as scheduled, on Wednesday, January 28. Online classes will also occur, as scheduled.

The Office of Academic Affairs strongly encourages faculty and instructors to offer flexibility for students who request special accommodations necessitated by weather and its impacts.

The Office of Student Life Disability Services offers support to students. Additionally, paratransit services serve students, faculty, and staff with a permanent or temporary disability. Curb-to-curb rides are available inside the university-designated service area.

Columbus campus is resuming regular operations on Wednesday. Staff members should work in accordance with their normal schedule, in consultation with their supervisor. The university encourages flexibility, where possible, for those who request special accommodations necessitated by weather.

Ohio State takes very seriously our obligation to provide the full measure of instruction to all students. Please plan ahead, allow extra time for travel and dress appropriately for the weather.

SAFETY TIPS

Under a Level 1 snow emergency, roadways are hazardous due to blowing and drifting snow, and they may be icy. The university recommends that everyone continue to dress appropriately for the weather and use caution while traveling.

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
• Wear outer garments that are tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
• Wear a hat – 40% of your body heat can be lost through your head.
• Wear mittens that are snug at the wrist; mittens are better than gloves.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

When traveling around campus, remember that public transportation is available. You can find real-time CABS bus arrival information via the Ohio State app. Riding COTA? Visit cota.com for service info.

For more information, please visit: emergency.osu.edu.

CLASSES

The Ohio State University Columbus campus in-person classes are canceled for Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27, however, all instructors are encouraged to host virtual synchronous classes, where feasible. Classes scheduled to meet online will occur as planned. 

The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) reminds instructors that following Policy 6.15 (Weather or Other Short-Term Closing), instructors are to notify students of alternative teaching methods when in-person class meetings are canceled. Alternative teaching methods can include virtual synchronous class meetings or asynchronous activities, including but not limited to videos, podcasts, supplemental readings or discussion posts. In situations where synchronous instruction is not feasible, asynchronous activities are encouraged. It is at the discretion of the instructor as to which alternative method of teaching will occur when in-person classes have been canceled. OAA asks instructors to be as flexible as possible with students.

We anticipate classes and normal campus operations resuming on Wednesday, January 28, unless weather conditions dictate otherwise which would lead to further communication.

CAMPUS OPERATIONS & ACTIVITIES

Campus will remain OPEN with limited essential services. While Franklin County remains under a Level 3 emergency, all non-essential activities should be canceled. Please check with leaders of scheduled activities regarding changes or cancellations. 

Beginning Sunday afternoon and running through Tuesday, any staff members with the ability to work remotely are encouraged to do so in consultation with their supervisor. As campus remains open with limited essential services, essential staff whose responsibilities must be done in-person are required to report to work in alignment with their normal schedule to support critical operations. Essential employees can confirm with their supervisors that they are required to report to campus. For specific staffing questions, please contact your supervisor or HR Business Partner. See FAQs. 

Dining and recreation will be limited and University Libraries are closed for Sunday, January 25. The Wexner Medical Center and clinical services remain OPEN. For additional information about weather impacts related to transportation, parking and facility hours of operation, please visit emergency.osu.edu.

The health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is always our top priority. Limiting traffic on roadways also allows essential staff better access to our medical center and other venues. A variety of factors are involved in the decision to cancel in-person classes, and each situation is evaluated on its unique circumstances. We will continue to monitor conditions and share updates online. Impacts to regional campus operations will be communicated through regional campus leadership.

For more information, visit emergency.osu.edu.

• On- and off-campus safety resources
• Well-being resources
• Buckeye Commons
• Senate Bill 1 guidance and resources
• Freedom of expression
• Listen. Learn. Discuss., Ohio State’s civil discourse initiative

For more on faculty and instructor resources and support, visit the Office of Academic Affairs website for a comprehensive collection of resources.

Safety resources
The safety of the Ohio State community is the university’s highest priority. Ohio State is taking multiple measures to keep students, faculty and staff safe both on and off campus.

Ohio State has increased the presence of police on the Columbus campus by hiring and training additional Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) officers — and worked with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) to increase patrols off campus. The joint patrol program pairs four OSUPD officers with officers from CPD to work in the nearby neighborhood where many students live. This is over and above the regular patrols in place on and off campus.

The popular Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State continues to offer students discounted late-night rides in a designated area from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the Office of Student Life is offering any Buckeye student complimentary personal safety alarms that, when triggered, create a loud noise that can be heard a couple hundred feet away. These can be picked up at the Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office at the Ohio Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office also offers complimentary safety devices for student homes, including window and door alarms.

Ongoing safety initiatives and investments include:

• Authorizing OSUPD to hire additional police officers with the goal to have 75 full-time officers supported by hundreds of non-sworn security.
• Purchasing and installing additional cameras supported by a 24/7 dispatch center.
• Continuing support for license plate reader (LPR) cameras located on and off campus to assist with law enforcement investigations.
• Continuing the cruise lights initiative for on-campus police vehicle patrols utilizing steady, low-intensity blue lights in the rear window of cruisers to increase visibility and deter crime. The program, initially announced as a pilot, has been fully adopted by OSUPD for nighttime patrols.
• Providing non-sworn security Buckeye Block Watch patrols in targeted University District areas. The program features security teams that are taught how to deal with difficult situations and learn best practices for public engagement, including mental health responses, first aid and CPR.

Public safety officials are working toward more safety enhancements as part of both short-term and long-term planning so look for additional announcements throughout the year. More safety resources are available on the university’s public safety website.

Well-being resources
Ohio State offers an array of services and resources for students, faculty and staff, meeting Buckeyes where they are and when it’s convenient for them.

The Office of Student Life utilizes a model of 10 Dimensions of Wellness to support all aspects of well-being. Students and others can access the online Health and Wellness Resource Guide with a searchable database of support services available to the Ohio State community.

Among the services and resources available to students through the Office of Student Life:

Counseling and Consultation Service offers a multi-model approach with a variety of free treatment options based on the individual’s specific needs. Students have access to a number of on-demand services such as drop-in workshops, Let’s Talk informal mental health consultations, and Uwill teletherapy as well as individual and group therapy.

The Student Life Student Wellness Center offers peer-to-peer coaching on topics such as personal finance and nutrition. They also facilitate Community Wellness Education, consisting of online modules about alcohol, prescription drug safety and mental well-being. Our Collegiate Recovery Community offers resources for students in or seeking long-term recovery.

The Monda Student Resource Center enhances students’ holistic, essential needs through resources and support from campus and community partners.

In addition, Student Health Services offers a variety of on-campus health care options to the student population while Recreational Sports promotes living an active life of balance, physical activity and well-being.

Buckeye Commons
The Office of Student Life has opened the Buckeye Commons, a central hub where students can connect, network, engage, learn and thrive in an inclusive, dedicated space focused on advancing student success. The Buckeye Commons, on the first floor of the Ohio Union, provides robust educational offerings and opportunities for networking and hosts events, workshops and programming on a number of topics from leadership, career preparation and study skills, to time management and building community.

Senate Bill 1 guidance and resources
In the spring, Ohio Governor DeWine signed SB 1, the “Advance Ohio Higher Education Act,” into law, with most provisions of the bill taking effect June 27, 2025. A university-wide committee developed implementation guidance in collaboration with teams of faculty, staff and students.

Please continue to visit the SB 1 Compliance website, which includes resources, policies and guidance, guidance from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and more. In the coming weeks, the university will continue to communicate this and still-emerging guidance as additional elements of the law go into effect. Throughout the fall semester, the Office of Faculty Affairs will hold a series of open office hours for faculty and instructors to answer questions on a variety of issues, including SB 1-related topics. Each session will include representatives from faculty affairs, the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning and the Center for Ethics and Human Values (CEHV). These sessions are open to all faculty and instructors, including graduate teaching associates. More information is available on the Faculty Affairs website.

CEHV has also created a guide for Facilitating Civil Discourse in the Classroom offering instructors confidence and resources to ensure that their discussions with students reflect the mission of the university by being open, rigorous and constructive. It follows the center’s 4Cs methodology for leading challenging conversations in the classroom.

Academic freedom is a core value at Ohio State, and SB 1 does not restrict the freedom of faculty to teach, conduct research or publish research findings or to discuss in classrooms, in their own manner, any material that is relevant to the subject matter as defined in the course syllabus. Additionally, SB 1 also does not prohibit controversial issues from being discussed in class, though it does require the university to “ensure the fullest degree of intellectual diversity” to allow students to reach their own conclusions.

Students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to review the one-page SB 1 overview and visit the Information on Legislative and Executive Actions website for additional information.

Freedom of expression
Ohio State remains committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech, academic freedom and freedom of expression on our campuses. The First Amendment and Ohio law expressly protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the university to lawfully engage in speech and expressive activities. The Campus Free Speech Policy, adopted in May 2023, supports this dedication, and the Freedom of Expression website serves as an online hub for support resources, including frequently asked questions.

The university may adopt and enforce time, place and manner restrictions for speech and expressive activities. These content-neutral restrictions, like the university space standards and university signage standards, are in place to ensure that teaching, learning, research, service and patient care missions can occur without interruption. The signage standards were recently updated, and chalking is no longer permitted on campus and will be removed.

To maintain neutrality that assures academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression, Ohio State refrains from taking institutional positions on matters that extend beyond the university. For more information, see the Philosophy on Institutional and Leadership Statements. Consistent with SB 1’s requirements about controversial beliefs and policies, the university updated the philosophy in June with more detailed guidance on who it applies to and what constitutes an institutional statement. 

Listen. Learn. Discuss.
At Ohio State, we share one important thing with each other: We have all chosen to be Buckeyes. We can use this common ground to engage with one another in a way that is respectful and caring, even — and especially — when we disagree.

The university’s civil discourse initiative is focused on helping members of our community listen to and discuss different perspectives productively, build trust with one another, learn to successfully navigate complex conversations and clearly articulate their point of view. Listen. Learn. Discuss. will help students, faculty and staff form skills to engage in productive and respectful dialogue. Visit the initiative’s website for courses, workshops and events.

Now restored, the third-party Lexis Nexis service pulls data from the CPD crime log and populates a map showing off-campus crime reports. Ohio State preprogrammed the map to a one-mile radius to include the crime reports from the most recent 7-day period. The default crime categories are pre-determined by Lexis Nexis and serve as another tool for Buckeyes to stay informed about crime and crime trends. Additional features available include the ability to:

• Turn on additional crime categories
• Access months or years of data
• See heat maps and trends including time of day
• Sign up for crime alerts (daily, weekly or monthly)
• Enter your own, personal home address to set up tailored alerts

The Community Crime Map shows crimes occurring off-campus and outside The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) jurisdiction, while on-campus crimes can continue to be accessed via the OSUPD daily crime log. 

When crimes occur on, or directly impact campus, Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety uses a variety of methods to communicate — watch to learn more. These methods include, but are not limited to, the Buckeye Alert System and Public Safety Notices and are supported by the Department of Public Safety website, social media, traditional media and other communication channels.

• Nov. 5 asynchronous learning pilot
• Nonpartisan election resources
• Civil discourse and Listen. Learn. Discuss. – including Nov. 4 pre-election event
• Institutional neutrality and freedom of expression
• Political activity guidelines
• Support and resources

All of this information is also available on the election resources page on the Listen. Learn. Discuss. website.

Asynchronous learning day
Following approval of a proposal from University Senate, Ohio State will hold a day of asynchronous learning on Election Day as a one-time trial to support student participation in the general election. Instructors whose classes would otherwise have met in person or virtually should, in lieu of meeting, assign asynchronous classwork to be determined by the instructor.

Nonpartisan election resources
All Buckeyes are encouraged to support Ohio State’s motto of “Education for Citizenship” by helping to spread the message of nonpartisan civic engagement.

OSU Votes is a nonpartisan, student-led initiative in the Office of Student Life that works to register, educate and encourage other students to vote. If there are requests for voter education materials, OSU Votes can provide resources and facts on the voting process.

The Ohio Secretary of State provides all the information you need to stay informed about election day. You can check your Ohio voter registration status, find your polling location and view details on how to vote early.

Civil discourse and Listen. Learn. Discuss.
Ohio State is committed to building an environment that fosters productive discussions on challenging topics, even when there is disagreement. All members of the university community are expected to treat one another with respect and compassion.

The university’s Listen. Learn. Discuss. initiative helps community members productively listen to and discuss different perspectives, build trust with one another and learn how to clearly articulate their point of view. The initiative’s website includes a page specifically for election related resources including the Center for Ethics and Human Values’ civil discourse guide to help individuals engage with one another around the election.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability (IDEA) and the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society – in collaboration with Listen. Learn. Discuss. – for a virtual, interactive session on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will be invited to share ideas and concerns in a positive environment and discuss concrete steps that can be taken individually and together to promote understanding and responsible civic engagement. The goal is to create knowledge, skills and strategies to engage responsibly in democracy and our local community, regardless of the outcome of the election.

Institutional neutrality and freedom of expression
To maintain the neutrality that assures academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression, Ohio State refrains from taking institutional positions on complex political or global matters, events, natural disasters or tragedies that extend beyond the operations of the university itself.

Ohio State’s Philosophy on Institutional and Leadership Statements uses the university’s Shared Values, the Chicago Principles and the Kalven Report as guiding principles. The philosophy does not impact academic freedom or any person’s ability to make statements that represent their own, individual views. Faculty have, among other things, the freedom to assemble and freedom in how they choose to conduct research, teach, publish and discuss their areas of academic expertise.

The First Amendment and Ohio law expressly protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the university to lawfully engage in speech and expressive activities. The First Amendment protects speech that is offensive, hateful or upsetting unless it falls into a category that the U.S. Supreme Court has determined is unprotected.

When speech becomes incitement or threats of violence, Ohio State has and will always move quickly to enforce the law and university policy. Ohio State has not and will not tolerate hatred, intimidation or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity. The university will continue to follow established processes to address allegations or reports of discrimination, harassment or other violations of university rules, standards, the Code of Student Conduct and other community expectations. The university’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) reviews and responds to reports of discrimination and harassment, and reports can be made directly to OIE.

Political activity guidelines
The university has guidelines regarding political activity, which can help employees understand how to exercise their constitutional rights without creating the appearance of endorsement for a particular candidate or cause.

Support and resources
The university recognizes that members of the community may be deeply impacted by a variety of national and global events and is committed to supporting all students, faculty and staff through direct actions and interventions that actively support health, safety and well-being.

The Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service has created a Coping with Current Events page for students to help with concerns about global conflict, the political environment, economic stress or other issues that can impact mental health. The webpage outlines a range of resources to help students cope and give them the skills to support their peers.

Faculty and staff are also encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered through the Employee Assistance Program. The program offers tools and support resources available to eligible Ohio State employees, their dependents, household members, parents and parents-in-law.

“Safety is my top priority, and these recent incidents are extremely concerning. I have been in touch with the mayor’s office and have been assured of the city’s continued emphasis on safety in the neighborhoods around our campus,” said Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “Our police agencies are working together closely and will have a highly visible presence on and around campus as well as continue their targeted efforts to reduce crime.”   

On the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) and University Police responded to a report of gunshots near 11th Avenue and High Street, for which CPD is the primary responding agency. Multiple Buckeye Alerts were issued that directed everyone on campus to shelter in place. The shelter in place was lifted around 7:30 p.m. Police do not believe that anyone was shot during this incident, which was an altercation between individuals who are not affiliated with Ohio State. 

On Monday, Sept. 16, a separate altercation between two unhoused individuals led to one being shot and transported to the Wexner Medical Center in stable condition. Multiple Buckeye Alerts – the university’s emergency notification system – and a Public Safety Notice informed the campus community of the situation and police arrested the suspect on Tuesday. 

“These recent incidents are tied to three main issues plaguing all major cities: mental health, addiction, and teenagers carrying firearms and committing violent crime,” said Monica Moll, associate vice president of Public Safety and interim chief of The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD). “Gun violence remains a national problem and Ohio State and the City of Columbus are not alone.” 

Moll added that people without housing are more often the targets of violent crime than offenders. 

Ohio State continues to engage with appropriate partners, including the City of Columbus Office of Violence Prevention and the Community Shelter Board to not just respond to crime, but also address root causes. 

Police continue to patrol on and off-campus with a high-visibility presence. OSUPD has a strong working relationship with Columbus Police, including a joint patrol program which recently expanded to four full-time OSUPD officers working alongside CPD officers. In total, OSUPD has an authorized strength of 75 sworn police, an expansion from previous years. 

Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a comprehensive approach that includes sworn police officers, supported by non-sworn security, lights, cameras and other technology and personnel. The Columbus campus has more than 5,000 fixed surveillance cameras that feed into a campus communications (9-1-1) center.  

Over the past few years, Ohio State has expanded safety resources, including the addition of mobile cameras, license plate readers, lights, security and an increased police presence. These initiatives have contributed to a decrease in crime over the past few years in the University District.  

Police presence will remain high as Ohio State football hosts Marshall this weekend. DPS partners with local, state and federal agencies to support a safe, fan-friendly environment. Off-campus, nearby neighborhoods are saturated with uniformed and non-uniformed personnel.  

Police remind everyone to be aware of their surroundings. Travel in groups or utilize public transportation such as CABS, CABS On Demand or Lyft Ride Smart. Lock doors and windows and report suspicious behavior to police. 

To access additional safety resources, please visit dps.osu.edu/resources.

Monica Moll, associate vice president, Department of Public Safety, sent a message to Ohio State students, faculty and staff today to remind them “You’re going places, get there safely.”

“We are asking everyone to look out for their fellow Buckeyes by being aware of their surroundings,” Moll wrote. “Your safety is our top priority, and we all play a part in promoting a safe campus environment when traveling to class and work.”

The university is home to a pedestrian-friendly campus, but commuters should recognize that with cars, bikes and scooters, campus streets can be congested. Bikes and scooters should follow traffic rules for vehicles and ride in the road, not on sidewalks. Bikes can use the full lane and motorists must allow at least 3 feet of space when passing. Both scooter and bike riders should wear a helmet and ride with caution. Scooters are intended to be ridden by one person at a time.

Motorists should not text and drive and should be on alert for pedestrians crossing the roadway. Pedestrians should always use crosswalks and wait for the walk signal to enter the roadway. At non-signalized crosswalks, pedestrians should stop and look both ways to ensure vehicle traffic is slowing before entering. Make safety a priority by eliminating distractions, putting phones down and taking earbuds out.

Additional safety tips include:

• Avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• Utilize transportation like CABS, CABS On-Demand or Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State.
• Use Rave Guardian to allow friends or family to track your location as a virtual guardian.
• Always lock doors and windows at home.
• Do not leave valuables, keys or key fobs in your vehicle.
• Report suspicious activity and missing or stolen items to police.

On campus, call The Ohio State University Police Division at 614-292-2121. Off campus, make reports to local law enforcement such as the Columbus Police (614-645-4545). Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies. Find more safety resources online.

Updates in this message include:

• On- and off-campus safety and well-being
• Listen. Learn. Discuss., the university’s new civil discourse initiative
• Free speech, academic freedom and freedom of expression
• Political activity guidelines

For more information on faculty and instructor resources and support, visit the Office of Academic Affairs website for a comprehensive collection of resources.

Safety and well-being resources

The safety of the Ohio State community is the university’s highest priority. Ohio State is taking multiple measures to keep students, faculty and staff safe both on and off campus.

Ohio State has increased the presence of police on the Columbus campus by hiring and training additional Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) officers – and worked with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) to increase patrols off campus. This fall, that also includes the expanded joint patrol program between OSUPD and CPD.

The popular Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State continues to offer students discounted late-night rides in a designated area from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the Office of Student Life is offering any Buckeye student complimentary personal safety alarms that, when triggered, create a loud noise that can be heard a couple hundred feet away. These can be picked up at the Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office at the Ohio Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The office also offers complimentary safety devices for student homes, including window and door alarms and smart plugs.

Last fall, the university enacted more enhanced safety and security resources, adding to the $35 million annual total campus public safety budget. This includes:

• Authorizing OSUPD to hire additional police officers.
• Expanding the joint patrol program in the University District between OSUPD and CPD, including dedicating in fall 2024 more officers and new cruiser vehicles that feature badges from both divisions. Four pairs of officers patrol off campus this year, the most since the partnership started in 2008.
• Purchasing additional mobile surveillance cameras.
• Continued support for the license plate reader program and video storage.
• Renewing Buckeye Block Watch, offering foot patrols in targeted University District areas. The program features security teams who are taught how to deal with difficult situations and learn best practices for public engagement, including mental health responses, first aid and CPR.

More safety resources are available on the university’s public safety website.

Safety isn’t just physical well-being – it’s your mental health, too. Last year, more than a third of students told Ohio State that they had received mental health care in the past year. 

The university is excited to add even more mental health and well-being resources this year as part of nearly $2.5 million in new funding from the state of Ohio.

Ohio State offers an array of holistic services and resources for students, meeting Buckeyes where they are and when it’s convenient for them. They include: 

Teletherapy

A keystone of the new state funding is free and expanded teletherapy to all students. The partnership with Uwill offers students the chance to virtually see licensed therapists and receive wellness programming, even after-hours and weekends.

Mental health grants

While most services on campus are free, students may incur costs for hospital visits or when working with a specialist off campus. Now, funding is available to pay for these services.

Let’s Talk

Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) in Student Life provides confidential, informal conversations, often as same-day appointments, with clinicians for students who need to talk through a problem but don’t need ongoing counseling or have questions about where to get started.

Individual therapy

Students can receive one-on-one therapy with an Ohio State counselor through CCS. 

Monda Student Resource Center

Opening in winter 2025, the Monda Student Resource Center will enhance students’ holistic, essential needs through resources and support from campus and community partners. 

Listen. Learn. Discuss.

Ohio State expects members of our community to contribute to an environment where trust and respectful dialogue are the norm — not the exception. To advance this, the university has launched a new civil discourse initiative to help members of our community listen to and discuss different perspectives productively, build trust with one another, learn to successfully navigate complex conversations and clearly articulate their point of view.

Listen. Learn. Discuss. will help students, faculty and staff form skills to engage in productive and respectful dialogue. 

• The initiative’s new website, listen-learn-discuss.osu.edu, is a centralized online resource for courses, workshops and events that give the university community opportunities to navigate difficult conversations, whenever and wherever challenging conversations take place — in the classroom, on the Oval or in the workplace. The website includes an event calendar, through which university community members can submit opportunities related to the topic or the practice of civil discourse, and a sample of fall 2024 courses that provide skill building in civil discourse topics.

Free speech, academic freedom and freedom of expression

Ohio State remains committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech, academic freedom and freedom of expression on its campuses. The First Amendment and Ohio law expressly protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the university to lawfully engage in speech and expressive activities.

The Campus Free Speech Policy, adopted in May 2023, supports this dedication, and the updated Freedom of Expression website serves as an online hub for support resources.

Ohio State believes in academic freedom: The exchange of ideas by students and instructors creates a campus environment where all viewpoints are welcome and respected. In accordance with university rules, faculty have the freedom to discuss in classrooms, in their own manner, material that is relevant to the subject matter as defined in the course syllabus. At the same time, they have responsibility to encourage free discussion and inquiry, and students must be given a broad latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn and discuss in classrooms and learning spaces.

Freedom of expression is also central to our values as an institution of higher education. Ohio State supports the rights of its community to exercise their freedom of speech and expression in a way that is lawful, respectful and productive. The university encourages everyone to participate in public discourse and exercise their democratic rights through voting, advocacy and civic engagement.

The university has updated its University Space Standards, with input from students, faculty and staff, to improve clarity and add detail on the appropriate use of our spaces.

To maintain neutrality that assures academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression, Ohio State refrains from taking institutional positions on matters that extend beyond the university. When statements are issued, the university uses a framework to evaluate making institutional and leadership statements to ensure decisions are made based on consistent factors.

Election-related resources

Everyone is encouraged to support Ohio State’s motto of “Education for Citizenship” by helping to spread the message of nonpartisan civic engagement.

• OSU Votes is a nonpartisan, student-led initiative in the Office of Student Life that works to register, educate and encourage other students to vote. If there are requests for voter registration or education materials, OSU Votes can provide resources and facts on the voting process and voter registration.
• The university has guidelines regarding political activity, which can help faculty, staff and instructors understand how to exercise their constitutional rights without creating the appearance of endorsement for a particular candidate or cause.
• During this fall’s election day, Nov. 5, there will be a university-wide day of asynchronous learning as a one-time pilot trial to support student participation in the general election. Instructors whose classes would otherwise have met in person or virtually should instead assign asynchronous classwork such as reading, writing or other homework.

Ohio State’s Lima, Mansfield, Marion and CFAES Wooster campuses are in the eclipse’s path of totality and will operate in a virtual and work from home environment on Monday. In Columbus and Newark, the eclipse will be partial and campuses will operate as usual. Highways and local roadways throughout Ohio may experience higher than normal traffic volumes due to eclipse tourism-related traffic.

While it is likely to be more congested around the Lima, Mansfield, Marion and CFAES Wooster campuses, motorists traveling to and from all Ohio State campuses are encouraged to plan ahead, anticipate traffic delays on highways and local roadways and allow for extra travel time, especially in the afternoon and evening hours after the eclipse.

Increased cellular usage may affect cell service in areas outside of major cities.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, appearing to completely block the sun. At that time, the sky will completely darken for those in the path of totality – where the moon completely blocks the sun, leaving a shadow – for up to 4 1/2 minutes. These major astronomical events happen every few years somewhere on the planet, but they are rare to happen in a specific location: The next one to happen in Ohio is in September 2099.

Ohioans will be able to view the eclipse Monday afternoon sometime between about 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Initial weather forecasts for Monday include a small chance of rain and a chance of cloudiness.

You can view real-time traffic info throughout the state by downloading the Ohio Department of Transportation’s OHGO app.

Additional information is available on the university’s eclipse resource website.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center warns a potentially substantial severe weather outbreak is possible today, including a few significant or long-track tornadoes, with the highest threat level concentrated over central Ohio.

Columbus, Mansfield, Marion and Newark are under a moderate risk level, the second highest level on the NWS rating system. Lima and CFAES Wooster are currently under an enhanced risk level, just below moderate.

All types of severe weather are possible, with a risk of strong tornadoes this afternoon.

If you are outside when a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in the nearest building. If you are in a residence hall, follow the instructions on the Emergency Evacuation Plans posted on hallway walls. These list the best available shelter locations.

In addition, consider these safety tips:

• Try to remain calm.
• Move to the lowest levels of the building, preferably in the middle of the building away from doors and windows.
• If you cannot make it to the lowest level, seek shelter in a small room under a table or something sturdy.
• Do not use elevators.

Please visit the Department of Public Safety website or the National Weather Service website for “what to do during a tornado.” The Ohio Emergency Management Agency also offers several tips to prepare for severe weather.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio or television stations for the latest weather and safety information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials. It’s important to keep cell phones charged before an emergency.

It’s also important to know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.

• Tornado Watch means a tornado is possible. Stay tuned to your local radio station or television for weather updates. Know where you’ll shelter, if necessary.
• Tornado Warning means a tornado is happening or imminent. Take shelter immediately.

Please follow @OSU_EMFP on Twitter or check emergency.osu.edu for any updates.

Students, faculty and staff can monitor the current Columbus campus conditions online. The website includes a live weather camera, updated weather conditions and current forecasts.

President Carter has a passion for Ohio State’s mission to shape the future of research and innovation, workforce development, the arts, health care, college affordability and college athletics.

Read more of President Carter's story.

Ohioans voted to pass Issue 2 in November’s election, legalizing the possession and use of marijuana for people aged 21 and older in Ohio. Ohio legalized medical marijuana in 2016.

Issue 2 impacts on Ohio State policies
Ohio State students, faculty and staff remain subject to federal law and university policy that prohibit possession or use of marijuana on Ohio State property. 

Possession and use of marijuana – even if obtained legally under Ohio law – is prohibited in or on all university-owned, operated or leased property. This includes residence halls and other university housing facilities, offices, university-managed properties and all Wexner Medical Center facilities. 

Federal law supersedes Ohio law. Because the university receives federal funding, the university is subject to federal law in this area, including the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.  This act specifically prohibits possession, use or distribution of marijuana in relation to any university activity, including research.

University leaders will continue to evaluate policies, monitor proposed legislative changes and determine if changes are needed to continue to comply with the law. Any changes will go through the existing policy process and be communicated with the campus community.

More information about Ohio State’s drug-free policies is available on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website. 

Ohio’s law 
In November, a majority of Ohioans voted for the law allowing Ohioans to possess and grow marijuana for their personal use. However, the sale and purchase of marijuana – in-person or online – remains illegal until state regulators license approved dispensaries. According to state regulators, licensing is not expected to be complete until summer 2024. Purchasing marijuana outside of a licensed dispensary will remain unlawful even after Dec. 7.

Those adults 21 and over are allowed to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of extract, such as oil or hash. Please note that this constitutes possession and is prohibited on Ohio State property. 

Buying legally purchased marijuana in other states and bringing the product to Ohio also remains illegal.

While adults aged 21 and older may grow up to six plants for personal use, growing marijuana constitutes possession and is prohibited on Ohio State property.

Landlords are allowed to prohibit consumption of marijuana on their properties if they choose. 

Smoking marijuana in public is prohibited everywhere in Ohio as is using a motor vehicle, bike or scooter while using or under the influence of the drug. 

Ohio State’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at the Moritz College of Law is one of the chief experts on drug policy in America, and hosts a thorough website analyzing what legalization means for Ohio. 

The Ohio State University offers tips, resources and reminders for what will be a busy game day:

Safety in and around The ’Shoe: Football Saturdays always bring increased presence of law enforcement and security personnel on and off campus. The university recently announced new comprehensive safety enhancements, including additional mobile surveillance cameras and the renewal of the Buckeye Block Watch foot patrols in the University District. It’s still important to play an active role in enhancing your own safety:

• Travel in groups or use public transportation. Students can use the discounted Lyft Ride Smart program, too. 
• Put earbuds away and be aware of your surroundings while walking, especially at night. 
• If you see something suspicious, say something. The Ohio State University Police Division’s non-emergency line is 614-292-2121, and the Columbus Division of Police’s non-emergency number is 614-645-4545.
• More information and safety resources are available on the Department of Public Safety website.

Get there early: There’s a lot happening in and around Ohio Stadium on Saturday, so fans attending the game should make sure they are ready. Click here for more information on pre-game day activities – like ESPN’s College GameDay at St. John Arena and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff at the RPAC. At 9 a.m., FanFest opens at St. John Arena south lawn, and Skull Session begins 40 minutes later.

• Campus will be exciting and busy, so make sure to get to campus and into the stadium early. You can avoid the congestion of parking right by the stadium by parking and riding from West Campus using free shuttles – parking lots open at 5 a.m. You can access campus from the north to avoid the Cannon Drive road closure.
  • Anyone can sign up for free game day text alerts and be notified in real time about traffic and parking updates, weather information and emergency alerts. Text OSUFB to 67283 to opt in.
• Gates to Ohio Stadium open at 10 a.m. Be sure to have your ticket loaded into your phone’s digital wallet before you arrive. Verified resale tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and via the Ohio State Buckeyes app or Ticketmaster app. 
• Make sure to wear red and “Scarlet the Shoe” and be the best fans in the land – cheer loud and be a proud fan. 

Party Smart: Stay safe while having fun. Whether students choose to drink or not, the Student Wellness Center has Party Smart tools and tips to help keep everyone healthy. More information is available on the Student Wellness Center website.

Be a good neighbor: Students aren’t the only people who call the University District home. The university is committed to being a good neighbor in our campus communities and asks that students living and spending time off campus do the same. Students, take pride in the area you call home by cleaning up after parties, being mindful of trash and keeping noise to an acceptable level. We’re all excited for this top 10 matchup – but we still must be respectful.

“The Nobel Prize is the pinnacle of scientific achievement,” said Acting President Peter Mohler. “All of us at Ohio State celebrate this recognition of Pierre’s lifetime of research and scholarship.”

Agostini shares the award with Ferenc Krausz from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Anne L’Huillier from Lund University in Sweden. Their work has produced pulses of light so short that they are measured in attoseconds, demonstrating that these pulses can be used to provide images of processes inside atoms and molecules.

These enhancements, led by Acting President Peter Mohler, are part of the university’s ongoing, holistic review of safety for students, faculty and staff. The investment adds to the current annual campus public safety budget of more than $35 million.

Ohio State leaders will continue to work closely with the city of Columbus to evaluate off-campus safety measures in the University District, where the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) has jurisdiction.

“The health and safety of our university community is our top priority,” Mohler said. “We will continue to evaluate ways to improve our approach to safety on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods. These new measures reflect that commitment.”

Effective immediately, the university will significantly expand the crime interdiction program, working with the city to increase evening and nighttime off-campus CPD patrols during fall and spring semesters.

These expanded police patrols will provide additional visibility throughout the University District. Specific patrol locations will be adjusted based on neighborhood needs and other real-time information.

In addition to CPD’s expanded off-campus police patrols, the university authorized:

• The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) to hire five additional police officers to create a total force of 75 officers. OSUPD will begin recruitment immediately. Two of the positions will support ongoing CPD and OSUPD joint patrols in the University District, and the city has committed resources for these additional joint patrols. These officers are in addition to the nine hired since January 2022 to increase patrols on and off campus.
• The purchase of additional mobile surveillance cameras.
• Continued support for the license plate reader program and video storage.
• Renewal of Buckeye Block Watch, offering foot patrols in targeted University District areas. The program features non-police security teams who are taught how to deal with difficult situations and learn best practices for public engagement, including mental health responses, first aid and CPR.
• Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) On-Demand, which provides free transportation between campus buildings after 9 p.m., to add two stops on the east side of High Street, at University Square and South Campus Gateway.

“We are committed to working with our city partners, and we talk daily about crime and crime trends,” said Monica Moll, Ohio State’s director of public safety. “We are confident these increased resources will help Ohio State and our community partners make an impact in our effort to improve safety and security in the campus area.”

These additions support the safety enhancements put in place over the past two years, which have led to a decrease in crime both on and off campus. Existing safety enhancements that will continue include:

• Additional lighting and cameras installed and used in combination with extra police and security patrols.
• Added surveillance cameras at all campus parking garages. The university has more than 4,000 surveillance cameras on campus.
• Additional fixed cameras installed and mobile cameras deployed off campus.
• Sixty-three license plate reader cameras with coverage both on and off campus.

The campus community can help by taking individual and collective action to promote a safer Ohio State. Resources for the campus community include: 

• The Community Crime Map, which consists of statistics from CPD and shows off-campus crime reports. Ohio State has preprogrammed the map to a 1-mile radius to include the crime reports from the most recent seven-day period. The Crime Map can also be programmed to send crime alerts in real time.
• Free home and personal safety devices, including personal safety alarms for students, light timers, and window and door alarms. These devices are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office located at 3106 Ohio Union.
• Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State, which offers eligible students discounted rides from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. inside an expanded university-designated service area. Ohio State contributes $4 per ride.
• Stay Safe, Buckeyes, an online safety class that teaches students through scenario-based exercises and engaging videos. Students learn how to enhance their safety on their schedule. 

 More resources can be found on the Department of Public Safety website. 

Whether watching the game on campus, or at home, all Buckeyes are encouraged to be the Best Fans in the Land and keep safety in mind.

• Use the free Rave Guardian app when traveling and avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• Free personal safety alarms and safety devices for your home are available at the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office (third floor of the Ohio Union), which is open until 5 p.m. today.
• Travel in groups or use public transportation like the free CABS West Campus shuttles.
• Students traveling in the University District can book discounted rides via Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State.
• Use crosswalks and follow directions of law enforcement or traffic control officers.
• Do not let unknown people into residence halls or off-campus homes.
• Lock doors and windows and keep outside lights on.
• Remain aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to police.

More safety resources are available on the public safety website.

On campus police reports can be made by calling 614-292-2121. Off-campus, call Columbus Police at 614-645-4545. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

Fans coming to the stadium should plan ahead and allow extra time to travel. All fans are encouraged to load admission tickets into their Apple or Google wallet before arriving to the stadium.

For more news to know when visiting Ohio Stadium, visit ohiostatebuckeyes.com.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to join a livestream at this URL: https://livestream.com/wosu/bot8-22-23

A recording of the livestream will be available following the conclusion of the announcement.

Some of the key messages include:

• Civil discourse 
• Community safety 
• Getting around campus
• Mental health and well-being 
• Education modules
• Buckeye business reminders for students  
• Staying connected

As a reminder, the first day of classes is Tuesday, Aug. 22. Other important dates are available on the academic calendar. 

Civil discourse 

As a land-grant institution, Ohio State takes seriously its role in promoting and supporting public discourse. The university is steadfastly committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech and expression on campus.

Ohio State highlights that commitment with the second annual Education for Citizenship Address at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, in the U.S. Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union. The address will feature faculty speaker Angus Fletcher, a professor and “story scientist” in the Department of English. Fletcher is actively involved with Ohio State’s Project Narrative podcast, a leading academic think tank for the study of how stories work. Though the event is primarily for new Ohio State students, it is open to all members of the university community.

Additionally, the university has several resources available to help facilitate civil discourse. These include: 

• Freedom of expression at Ohio State 
• Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability
• Center for Ethics and Human Values 
• Divided Community Project 
• OSU Votes 

Community safety 

The safety of the Ohio State community is the university’s top priority. Ohio State works around the clock to enhance safety on the Columbus and regional campuses through patrols, lights, cameras and other technology. The campus community can help by taking individual and collective action to promote a safer Ohio State. Resources for the campus community include: 

• The Community Crime Map consists of statistics from the Columbus Division of Police and shows off-campus crime reports. Ohio State has preprogrammed the map to a one-mile radius to include the crime reports from the most recent 7-day period. 
• The university offers several complimentary home and personal safety devices including personal safety alarms for students, light timers and window and door alarms.
• Stay Safe, Buckeyes is an online safety class that teaches students through scenario-based exercises and engaging videos. Students learn how to enhance their own safety on their own schedule. 
• After 9 p.m., Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) On-Demand provides transportation between campus buildings. Download the TripShot app to schedule your free ride today.
• Listen to the latest City of Ohio State podcast for a 10-minute rundown of campus safety resources.

More resources can be found on the Department of Public Safety website. 

Getting around campus

The first days of a new year mean busier streets and sidewalks around many campus areas. All are encouraged to allow additional time for travel and parking as students, faculty and staff return to campus for the autumn semester.

Learn about CABS route changes and download the Ohio State app for real-time CABS bus tracking. Visit the traffic impact map for construction that may impact your commute. Keep your eyes up and earbuds out. Avoid distractions and watch out for your fellow Buckeyes. We all share the road and responsibility in assuring it’s done safely.

It’s important to remember CABS routes will look different for fall semester. The Cannon Drive Relocation closes Cannon through 2024 and CABS will be rerouted.

Mental health and well-being 

Ohio State is committed to a culture of care and well-being for students, faculty and staff. The university offers a variety of services and tools to meet the needs of the campus community.

The Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service provides individual and group mental health services, psychoeducational prevention and outreach programming to enrolled undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

Mental Well-Being for Students is a 45-minute module that provides students with essential skills and information to navigate the stressors and emotional challenges associated with college life. Students will learn ways to practice self-care, recognize when they or their peers are in distress and take action to find additional support.

The Ohio State Employee Assistance Program has a member portal, online tools, well-being resources and work-life services that are available to eligible Ohio State employees, their dependents, household members, parents and parents-in-law.

Ohio State also offers myStrength, a digital program for emotional health to help with life’s evolving challenges. From learning activities and guided meditations to skill-building courses, myStrength offers personalized support to build a healthier mind.

Education modules

All first-year and transfer undergraduate students are required to complete online training about drug, tobacco and alcohol misuse. Incoming and transfer undergraduate students must complete the educational modules this fall to register for classes in the spring semester, and all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the modules. 

Buck-I-CARE About Consent is assigned to the BuckeyeLink checklist for all incoming first-year and transfer students. Buck-I-CARE works to ensure Ohio State students understand sexual misconduct and consent and that they have the tools necessary to prevent sexual misconduct or find support and resources if necessary.

Collin’s Law is Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Act, which requires all students to complete anti-hazing education prior to participation in any organization recognized by or operating under the sanction of Ohio State, including athletic teams, sports clubs, student organizations and other student groups. This 25-minute module, offered in BuckeyeLearn and assigned to each student’s BuckeyeLink checklist, educates members of the university community on how to recognize and report hazing and intervene when hazing is occurring.  In addition, the training module outlines criminal penalties for hazing, requirements to report hazing to law enforcement and campus resources that support anti-hazing efforts.

The modules can be accessed through BuckeyeLearn. 

Buckeye business reminders for students  

Buckeye Link can help students take care of Buckeye business, including paying tuition and fees, managing financial aid, updating personal information and much more. Please read all email reminders and go to buckeyelink.osu.edu for important dates, updates, how-tos, and to log in to My Buckeye Link. Get answers in-person or online 24/7 with chat.osu.edu and help.osu.edu.

Staying connected

Throughout the year, Ohio State News Alerts will be sent when there is a timely update for students, faculty and staff. These updates will inform the community about timely university news priorities, including safety tips, health resources, timely traffic information and more. These are separate and distinct from Buckeye Alerts, which are sent by our Department of Public Safety when the campus community needs to take immediate action to remain safe. Students, faculty and staff will receive Ohio State News Alerts to their university email address and can visit the preference center to manage text message preferences.

The events will occur in the span of a week, starting on Saturday, Aug. 5, when Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks play at the stadium, followed by a Tuesday, Aug. 8, performance by Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard.

Then, on Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12, country music star Morgan Wallen heads to the Horseshoe to play two shows. 

Roadways near Ohio Stadium will be closed, limited parking will be available and CABS delays are anticipated. From Friday, Aug. 4, through Saturday, Aug. 12, the Olentangy Trail reroute will move east to Tuttle Park Place.

Motorists should allow additional time and plan for travel delays in The Ohio State University campus area, and be aware that surface lots surrounding Ohio Stadium will be limited to event parking only.

Additionally, on Sunday, Aug. 6, summer commencement will take place at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, and a quarter- and half-marathon will take place on some campus-area roads.

For details on the events and expected impacts, visit the university's Transportation and Traffic Management website.
 

Multiple roadways will be closed, limited parking will be available and CABS transit service will be suspended for portions of the weekend of April 15 and 16.

Additionally, work related to the Cannon Drive relocation is causing traffic and bus changes in the area. Cannon between 12th Avenue and John H. Herrick Drive; the Herrick and Cannon intersection; and the Herrick bridge are all closed.

Changes because of the major events include:

• Tuttle and Northwest parking garages will be closed after the Saturday spring game and reopen after the Sunday 4 Miler event.
• Access to parking areas within the 4 Miler event route will be limited/delayed.
• All CABS routes, including CABS On-Demand and paratransit service, will be suspended during the game and race.

Motorists are encouraged to allow for additional travel time. Be prepared for heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic before, during and after the events. 

The noon spring game exhibition at Ohio Stadium is expected to attract at least 50,000 fans to the campus area.

Visit the Transportation and Traffic Management website for more information on the events and expected impacts.

As of Tuesday afternoon, forecast totals were projected to be approximately 4 inches in Columbus and between 3 to 5 inches in Mansfield, Marion, Newark and Wooster, with up to 5 to 6 inches expected in Lima. Temperatures are forecast to rise by late Wednesday morning and should rise into the upper 30s by 10 a.m., when snow is expected to turn to rain.

For the Columbus campus, travelers should anticipate a slow commute. Plan ahead, leave early and allow extra time to arrive at your destination. The university is asking instructors and managers to provide flexibility and understanding to students, staff and faculty impacted by the storm, particularly early in the morning. Students requesting special accommodations necessitated by weather will be accountable for any material and assignments missed during an absence from class.

Safety is the university’s top priority, and Facilities Operations and Development (FOD), CampusParc, Transportation and Traffic Management (TTM) and the Department of Public Safety work together to offer services during the winter months to keep the community safe. As snow and ice start to collect, FOD teams are dispatched to treat campus roadways and sidewalks. They remain on campus throughout the day and night, treating and plowing as needed. CampusParc crews will also be on campus treating parking lots and garages, with garage rooftops remaining open when possible. Learn more on the CampusParc website.

While community members may still see snow in some areas, particularly during periods of heavy snow accumulation, the facilities crew will do its best to keep pathways clear. TTM’s paratransit service provides curb-to-curb transportation to all students, faculty and staff with a permanent or temporary disability. Riders need to be registered prior to receiving service. Service is available on and off campus within university boundaries. TTM transit and paratransit vehicles are all ADA-accessible. Learn more on the Transportation and Traffic Management website.

TTM will continue to offer bus service, but users are encouraged to utilize the Ohio State app for real-time CABS tracking to stay updated on CABS service offerings. 

Please exercise caution during inclement weather and be prepared. When traveling, plan ahead, allow extra time and dress appropriately for the weather. If travelers see a potentially unsafe condition on campus due to ice or snow, they should not try to rectify the situation; instead, report it to Service2Facilities at 614-292-4357 (report unsafe ice or snow conditions in the Wexner Medical Center to 614-293-8645).

Off-campus locations, including roads and sidewalks east of High Street, are not cleared by Ohio State and are the responsibility of the city of Columbus and residents.

Winter Travel Tips

• Know your route and pay special attention to changing and/or declining weather conditions.
• Take it slow to avoid slipping and sliding and remain alert as you move on and around campus.
• Allow additional distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you during snowy and icy conditions.
• Be sure to keep your vehicle windows and head, tail and brake lights clear of ice and snow.
• Keep your gas tank filled.
• Prepare a winter emergency kit for your vehicle. Be sure to include a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, blankets, hats and gloves, first aid kit, emergency flares and shovel, cell phone charger as well as water and nonperishable food items. Additional ideas can be found on the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website.
• Wear sensible shoes and dress in layers for travel between destinations.

The City of Ohio State podcast took a deep dive on how the university handles winter storms and a January 2023 Ohio State News story outlined when, why and how Ohio State cancels classes due to winter weather.

On Friday, Nov. 18, members of the university’s joint patrol program – a partnership between the Ohio State University Police Division and Columbus Division of Police to patrol the off-campus area – will join volunteers from Student Life, Undergraduate Student Government, Administration and Planning and more to go through the University District on an educational safety walk.

They’ll talk with residents throughout the University District about safety resources the university offers ahead of next Saturday’s home football game against the University of Michigan. Students in the area will also be advised on how to protect their homes if traveling away for the Thanksgiving break.

Thieves often target property in the University District during breaks, and the area has recently seen break-ins through unlocked doors and windows. Student Life has a variety of free tools to help protect students’ homes, including window and door alarms and light timers. Students are encouraged to stay vigilant to protect themselves and their property.

Undergraduate Student Government is also offering the chance for a free steering wheel lock to students who use a car. Go to go.osu.edu/SWLPilot to apply by the end of Friday, Nov. 18 (osu.edu login required).

OSUPD and USG donated the locks, and while there is a limited amount, more will be offered this spring for students who miss out this fall. These devices will serve as a security tool against car break-ins, and students who drive a Kia or Hyundai will be prioritized in the random drawing.

Police advise students traveling for the holidays to:

• Lock doors and windows
• Consider using light timers or leave exterior lights on
• Take valuables with you or record serial numbers
• Report missing items or suspicious activity to police

The safety walk is part of a continued emphasis the university places on safety in the off-campus area. Buckeye Block Watch, the trained security and public engagement team that launched last November, continues to work the area and provide another set of eyes and ears.

Buckeye students who live in the University District are encouraged to talk with members of the safety walk on how they can best protect themselves and their homes.

Ohio State offers a variety of free and discounted safety resources to help students protect themselves, including Lyft Ride Smart for late-night ridesharing and Rave Guardian, which allows select friends and family to track a student’s location. Off-campus residents and their families are also encouraged to use the Community Crime Map, which is updated daily with statistics from Columbus police.

“CABS is committed to providing the best service possible to all our loyal riders,” said Tom Holman, associate director of Transportation and Traffic Management. “In response to customer feedback, and after learning of a change in nearby construction phasing, CABS is pleased to return additional routes and stops to campus this fall.”

The Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2 project will rebuild Cannon Drive between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive at its current elevation and construct a certified Ohio Department of Natural Resources flood protection levee. Phasing of the project has been reworked with the expectation that bus impacts will now be delayed until fall 2023. 

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 14, CABS will resume service along Cannon Drive, including a stop at Mid-Towers. Major service changes include:

• The Campus Loop South (CLS) returns. This route provides 16-minute daytime service frequency between the Buckeye Lot and central campus.
• The Campus Connector (CC) will expand stops beyond the transit hub to provide a clockwise loop around the full academic core. Service between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. will be reduced from seven minutes to 10 minutes to accommodate these additional stops.
• The Buckeye Express (BE) will increase morning frequency between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., reducing wait times from 10 minutes to seven minutes.

Regular service continues for the East Residential (ER), Med Center Express (MC) and CABS On-Demand. See updated service times for all routes online.

These changes support updated construction phasing plans along Cannon Drive, with work expected to impact the CABS routes now delayed until Fall 2023. This work is likely to instead take place and impact routes next academic year. They also add service as we are entering the time of year with fewer daylight hours. 

As a reminder, CABS provides evening service on many routes and overnight service via CABS On-Demand as one of many safety tools to move around on campus. 

Be sure to download the Ohio State app for real-time CABS tracking and visit the traffic map to view travel impacts that may affect your Columbus campus commute.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe while having fun:

• Be a good neighbor and respectful of the area in which you live. Those who attend or host a party should keep events under control, make sure it doesn’t get too loud and clean up the property when finished. Remember: Property destruction is both dangerous and illegal.
• Pace yourself if you choose to consume alcohol.
• Keep your friends close, and if you go out together, come home together.
• Whether you live in a residence hall or off-campus, do not let strangers into your home.
• Use the discounted Lyft Ride Smart program to safely get around the designed service area. And don’t forget that CABS offers on demand service between campus buildings nightly from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

As always, the safety of Buckeyes is a top priority. You can learn more about how to party smart at the Student Wellness Center’s website.

The university is committed to helping students make informed decisions through the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network.

“So this network gives them an opportunity to make sure that they can see a list of landlords that meet at least a standard,” said TJ Logan, associate vice president for the residential experience.

The network is a collaboration between Ohio State, the Office of Student Life, Student Legal Services, property owners and several City of Columbus departments, including police, fire, public safety and code enforcement.

The network establishes certain criteria for off-campus property owners. Those property owners that commit to meeting these criteria will be considered in-network.

Some of these criteria include:

• Properties must meet City of Columbus housing code
• Provide and maintain exterior lighting at the rear and front of all properties
• Provide carbon monoxide detectors
• Meet individually with Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement at least twice annually

In-network property owners receive exclusive benefits such as being included in the university’s offcampus.osu.edu housing search, invitations to in-network meeting and events and access to information, as well as various marketing opportunities.

For sophomore theater major Christopher Wright, the network helps bring balance to the relationship between a renter and the property owner.

Wright said he has already seen the benefits of a reliable property owner.

“When I first moved into my apartment, I actually did notice that there was an issue with my garbage disposal,” he said. “I was able to get in touch with my leasing agent, she came right over, came over with her team, and they fixed it right away.”

In-network properties are not endorsed or guaranteed by Ohio State or its network collaborators. The program helps students and families access information about in-network property owners to help make informed decisions about off-campus living options.

“If you’re a student, you can go to our website. You’re going to go to offcampus.osu.edu. That’s where you’re going to find all the different resources, including a link to the off-campus housing network,” Logan said. “And you can go there and you can see properties that have agreed to meet these standards.”

Crime is never the fault of the victim but there are steps the campus community can take to make it harder on criminals. Other safety tips include:

• Take items of value home, including money, credit cards and ID’s
• Record the serial numbers of devices
• Disconnect electrical extensions
• Utilize safety light timers or other deterrence devices

Students can obtain free safety devices for their homes, including window and door alarms and light timers, through the Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office in the Ohio Union.

Police and security will continue their patrols. If something is missing when students return, alert the police immediately. On campus, call OSUPD at 614-292-2121. Off-campus, report crime to the Columbus Division of Police at 614-645-4545. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

Student safety is the university's top priority. Access additional resources on the Department of Public Safety website.

This event – part of a monthly series hosted by the Office of Student Life’s Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement resource center – will be held Friday, October 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Norwich and Indianola avenues. It is an opportunity for dialogue, relationship building and resource sharing.

Food and beverages will be available at no cost. Students can also pick up free personal safety devices as well as safety devices for off-campus residences while engaging with members of the community and officers from the Ohio State University Police Division and Columbus Division of Police.

The personal safety devices are easy to carry and can clip onto a belt, backpack or your keys. When activated, the alarm sound is at least 100 decibels and can be heard up to 225 feet away. The safety devices for homes include window and door alarms to deter burglars from attempting to enter a residence. Complimentary light timers are also available.

These personal and home safety devices are also available for pick up at the Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday inside the Ohio Union (room 3106).

For additional safety resources, please visit the Department of Public Safety website.

In a new video, Dr. Mahdee Sobhanie, assistant professor of medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, answers some common questions about the new COVID-19 bivalent booster shot.

Individuals can receive the new COVID-19 booster two months after completing any primary series or any previous COVID-19 booster dose.

• The Pfizer bivalent booster is approved for people who are 12 or older.
• Those between the ages of 5-11 may continue to receive the age-appropriate Pfizer monovalent booster.
• The Moderna bivalent booster is approved for people who are 18 or older. 
• Student Health Services and the Wexner Medical Center are currently offering only the Pfizer booster due to manufacturer shortages of the Moderna booster.

Complete guidance on COVID-19 vaccine dosing and timing can be accessed via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Q &A with Dr. Mahdee Sobhanie

Why should people get the booster? What’s the benefit of one more shot?

Early on in the year when the FDA was discussing boosters, they wanted a booster which would target the predominant variant at the time. At that time, it was the omicron variant, but it was an offshoot of the omicron variant called BA.1. And they saw that patients who ended up getting vaccinated developed a robust immune response. [The] goal of the booster is that when COVID … may hit hard this fall and winter, that there is a level of protection that may wane if you got sick beforehand.

How does the booster work? How is it different?

As we’ve gone through multiple variants, the alpha, the delta, now the omicron variants, we realize that we need a vaccine that’s targeted specifically to these variants. So right now, the predominant variants that are circulating is omicron, specifically BA.4 and BA.5, [and] the vaccine should be tailored for those variants themselves.

Will it protect me from getting COVID? Will it protect from serious illness or both?

For some people, it will provide protection from getting infected. That being said, nothing is 100%. We do know that even without the current iteration of the booster, the vaccines are incredibly safe. They’re effective at keeping people out of the hospital. There’s still a lot of COVID that’s circulating, and there’s probably a lot of COVID that we’re not counting because of home tests. But we still have a vulnerable patient population that we have to worry about: those who are immunocompromised, those who are pregnant, those who can’t mount an immune response. So we want to make sure that they’re vaccinated. We want to make sure everybody else is vaccinated and boosted because it will prevent the vast majority of infections, but not all infections. We know that it will keep you out of the hospital, we know it will keep you from becoming severely ill.

How long will it offer protection?

So when we talk about protection, there are two things that we look at. Your immune system isn’t an on or off switch. When you get vaccinated, your body is getting a blueprint against COVID. So what it will do is that it gets the vaccine, it’ll take the vaccine, it’ll make antibodies against that infection, in this case, COVID. And those antibodies will circulate anywhere from three to four months in your system. And after time, they wane down or they go down. [However] your body, your immune system has a backup plan and … blueprints. If you were to be reintroduced to COVID again, it can build the antibodies up specifically. So where does the booster come in? The booster now gives you not only the original strain of the COVID infection, but it also gives you that BA.4 and BA.5 variant. Now your body not only has a blueprint for the original strain – it also has this newer blueprint for the new COVID variant that is circulating.

After the shot, how soon will I receive the enhanced protections?

Your body should produce antibodies pretty quickly, anywhere from seven to 14 days.

When should people get the booster? Are there advantages to waiting?

The current CDC recommendations are that if you have finished your primary series or received your last booster, within two months. So two months after you’ve received it. For people who have gotten infected with COVID, you can wait up to three months before you get your booster vaccine.

Is there advice for specific populations that differ from the general recommendations for adults? Is there different guidance for immunocompromised or high-risk people?

We know patients who are immunocompromised, they’re not going to build up … as robust an antibody response as somebody who has their immune system intact because they’re missing the pieces to build the antibodies up. There is a medication, or a monoclonal antibody, called Evusheld, and it’s what we’re recommending to our patients, where it’s actually the antibody that you get and it circulates for about six months. Those patients should still also be up to date on their vaccine status and be boosted because even though their immune system is suppressed and they may get infected with COVID, we are not seeing the disease severity as we were once before. However, you need to be up to date on your vaccine status. The other thing, too, is for patients who are immunocompromised, definitely keep a bunch of home tests on hand because if you test positive, we have treatment now, we have monoclonal antibodies; we have another medication called Paxlovid.

Are children eligible for the boosters?

Anybody under the age of 12 right now is not eligible. I believe Pfizer and Moderna have submitted their data to the FDA for review.

If you’re healthy and not immunocompromised, does it make sense to wait to get the booster?

You should get the booster as soon as you’re able to get the booster. The reason being is that we’re all busy, so if you’re at your doctor’s office or you’re at your local pharmacy or somewhere they’re giving it, don’t wait. If you’re eligible for the booster, go ahead and get it when you can. The reason why is it’s like the flu shot – we always say, “Get the flu shot at the first available time that you can.” Because … we’re all busy, we’re all going to forget.

Do you recommend getting the new booster and the flu shot at the same time?

There’s no reason why you can’t get both shots at the same time. You do have to be aware that there can be side effects because your body is developing an immune system. So common things that we saw in the early vaccine, or anybody who’s gotten a COVID vaccine, there’s going to be pain at the site, there’s going to be some tiredness and fatigue, but there’s no reason why you can’t get both shots.

Is there a reason to mix and match COVID shots? Should your booster match the kind of vaccine you had in your primary series or previous booster?

There’s no advantage to mixing and matching one COVID shot over the other. That being said, you can mix and match. If you’re at a place where, let’s say, you got Moderna and Pfizer is available, you can go ahead and get the Pfizer booster and vice versa.

The warning comes following a crime pattern in the immediate off-campus area known as the University District. The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) reports that residential burglaries are on the rise in the area, with a majority of suspects entering homes through unlocked doors and windows.

“Crime is never the fault of the victim,” said OSUPD Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt. “We can all take steps to make it harder on criminals, protecting ourselves and our property.”

OSUPD and CPD actively patrol the area, including joint patrol with a visible presence of sworn police on bicycles. The university also has non-sworn security patrols in place using Buckeye Block Watch and Campus Service Officers.

Police recommend that Buckeyes take the following proactive steps (watch video):

• Lock doors and windows. While housemates may come and go throughout the day, remind everyone to bring their keys so that you can secure your home.
• Do not leave valuables, such as money, laptops or other electronics, in plain sight.
• Do not let unknown people inside your house, apartment or residence hall.
• Do not store car keys near your home’s entryways or in common areas.
• Lock cars and do not leave keys, key fobs or other valuables inside.
• Report suspicious activity, or stolen items, to police.

Off-campus, call CPD at 614-645-4545. On campus, reports can be made to OSUPD at 614-292-2121. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

Free window and door alarms and safety light timers are available for students at the Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement Office located in the Ohio Union. The office also offers personal safety devices for students that, when triggered, emit a loud noise.

The university offers an Off-Campus Community Crime Map that shows crime reports from CPD. The system also allows users to set up customized email alerts.

For additional safety resources, please visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Whether you drive, walk, bike or ride a scooter to class or work, do it safely. Students, faculty, staff and visitors share the road and the responsibility.

Commuters are asked to look out for fellow Buckeyes and avoid distractions. Remove earbuds and look up from your phone. Be mindful around construction zones and obey signage.

Pedestrians should use marked crosswalks and sidewalks and wait for the cross sign at signalized intersections.

Motorists should keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders. Do not text and drive.

Bicycles and scooters should be ridden in the road, not on sidewalks. If you’re cycling or scooting, park in designated areas to ensure accessible pathways. Never block sidewalks, curb ramps or disability access.

Scooter Safety Tips:

• Wear a helmet.
• Maintain a 3-foot minimum distance from pedestrians.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Watch the road for uneven surfaces and debris.
• Be wary of puddles and leaves that may hide potholes.
• Dress to be seen, use lights and reflective clothing / gear at night.
• Share the Road and never ride against traffic.
• Eliminate distractions. Do NOT text while riding!

New this fall, the map is pre-programmed to show reports from the most recent 7-day period – rather than 30 days – for crimes occurring within a one-mile radius. The preset map now also shows more crime categories – including auto theft – along with aggravated assault, residential burglary, robbery of an individual and more.

The Ohio State University Police Division will share weekly reminders to check the crime map via social media and campus e-newsletters. Police encourage everyone to stay informed of crime, and crime trends, by using this free tool.

As a reminder, the Community Crime Map consists of statistics from the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) and shows off-campus crime reports within a one-mile radius. Users can also sign up to receive daily emails that link right to the crime map.

This visual, map-based solution was requested by students and uses previously available resources from Lexis Nexis that were customized to offer a one-click solution. The map offers users the ability to:

• Turn on additional crime categories
• Access months or years of data
• See heat maps and trends including time of day
• Sign up for crime alerts (daily, weekly or monthly)
• Enter your own, personal home address to set up tailored alerts

To learn more about how to use the map, or set up customized email alerts, please visit our public safety website or watch this short video.

You will receive a number of communications from the university in the coming days and weeks with more details about these and other items. Below are a few important updates and reminders to help ensure a successful start to the semester, including: 

• Civil discourse 
• Community safety 
• Mental health and well-being  
• Public health resources (COVID-19 and monkeypox)  
• Drug and alcohol misuse prevention education  
• Buckeye business reminders for students 

Please take a moment to review the below. As a reminder, the first day of classes is Tuesday, August 23. Other important dates are available on the academic calendar. 

Go Buckeyes! 

Civil discourse 

Public universities like ours play a vital role in facilitating discussion – no matter how difficult the subjects might be or how passionately we may disagree. Ohio State is committed to establishing and advancing shared dialogues, and the university has a number of resources available to help facilitate civil discourse. These include: 

• Freedom of expression at Ohio State 
• Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA) 
• Center for Ethics and Human Values 
• Divided Community Project 
• OSU Votes 

On August 29, the inaugural Education for Citizenship address will welcome new Ohio State students and the university community to the academic year and ask all to reflect on the importance of civil discourse and our Shared Values in a diverse world. The address will be delivered by Dr. Winston Thompson, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Ecology and coordinator of COMPAS: Conversations on Morality, Politics and Society in the Center for Ethics and Human Values. The event is at 7 p.m. in Mershon Auditorium. Tickets are recommended and are available for free. 

Community safety 

The safety of the Ohio State community is the university’s top priority. Ohio State works 24/7 to enhance safety on our campuses, and you can help by taking individual and collective action to promote a safer community. We offer a variety of resources, including: 

• Lyft Ride Smart provides students with discounted rides on and off campus, including to the Short North area during evening and overnight hours. 
• The Community Crime Map allows all members of our community to view updated, off-campus crime statistics from the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) in a visual format. When visiting the map, you can sign up for and customize email alerts. 
• Free-to-use tools, including portable personal safety devices. These emit a piercing, loud noise and light up when activated, bringing immediate attention to the user. Additional free resources include door and window alarms for off-campus homes. 
• The online Stay Safe, Buckeyes class offers scenario-based exercises and engaging videos. The one-hour class module is available in BuckeyeLearn and covers topics such as crime prevention tips, reporting crimes, self-defense, mental health and more.  

Additionally, the university has brought back and expanded its joint patrol program to include three Ohio State University Police Division officers patrolling the University District while paired up with CPD officers. This program is part of a comprehensive approach that includes improved lighting, additional surveillance cameras and license plate readers, and non-police security that patrol seven nights a week to bring university resources into the areas where many students live. See full resources on the Department of Public Safety website. 

Mental health and well-being 

Ohio State is committed to a culture of care and well-being for students, faculty and staff. 

The Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service provides culturally sensitive individual and group mental health services, workshops and outreach programming to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Additionally, the Wellness section at the bottom of the Ohio State app serves as an on-the-go tool to support student mental health and well-being on campus. Ohio State’s Employee Assistance Program recently introduced an enhanced member portal, online tools, well-being resources and work-life services available to eligible employees, their dependents, household members, parents and parents-in-law. 

In the coming days, the Office of Student Life will launch a peer-to-peer campaign that includes educational programs, as well as a central online hub for all mental health resources that the university offers based on distress level. These enhancements come out of the continuing implementation work of the university’s Commission on Student Mental Health and Well-Being. 

Public health resources (COVID-19 and monkeypox)  

For guidance related to public health, the university maintains and updates the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website. Students recently received a message related to various resources. 

Below is information about COVID-19 for members of the Ohio State community: 

• Students, faculty, staff and visitors should monitor guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as state and local authorities to inform their personal health practices. 
• The university’s vaccination requirement remains in place: All students, faculty and staff must either complete a full primary series or receive an approved exemption. 
• Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of COVID-19 booster shots for which they are eligible. Students, faculty and staff can voluntarily report boosters to help guide the university’s response through the university’s COVID-19 reporting forms.  
• People can choose to wear a mask at Ohio State at any time. The university’s mask-optional policy remains in place on our academic campuses, including classroom buildings and the Ohio Union. Masks are required in clinical health-care settings, child-care centers and COVID-19 testing locations. 
• Anyone feeling sick should stay home and monitor symptoms. We are encouraging everyone to have at-home tests on hand. Tests can be picked up at campus locations. Testing is also available on the Columbus campus and for symptomatic individuals. 
• Similar to last year, on-campus isolation housing for residential students will be limited and cannot be guaranteed. All students should have individual plans for isolation and quarantine housing in the event they are exposed or have a positive COVID-19 test. 

Monkeypox is a viral disease that is circulating worldwide and in Ohio. Monkeypox primarily spreads through close, personal contact between people, including sex and other activities that include skin-to-skin contact. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during kissing and other prolonged, face-to-face contact, or through indirect contact (such as towels that have been used by someone with monkeypox). 

All members of the university community are encouraged to learn about symptoms, how to protect yourself and what to do if you are exposed to monkeypox from the CDC  and other health authorities. See the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website for additional information. 

Drug and alcohol misuse prevention education  

Ohio State is instituting a new educational requirement for all first-year and transfer undergraduate students targeting drug, tobacco and alcohol misuse. 

The program will be used on all Ohio State campuses beginning this semester, and students can access the modules through BuckeyeLearn. While incoming and transfer undergraduate students must complete the educational modules this fall to register for classes in the spring semester, all students, faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the class. 

Buckeye business reminders for students  

Buckeye Link can help you take care of Buckeye business, including how to verify your course schedule and important dates and deadlines about financial aid, fee payment as well as adding and dropping courses. Please read all important email reminders and go to buckeyelink.osu.edu for updates, how-tos, and to log in to My Buckeye Link to complete To-Do List items. 

“I’m proud of the resolve you’ve shown in powering through this year – and we’re now just days away from commencement,” Johnson said in the video. “I can’t wait to join thousands of our Buckeye graduates and their friends and families in Ohio Stadium this Sunday. Congratulations, you deserve it.”

Johnson also reminded returning students who will be away from Columbus and live off-campus to take steps to secure their apartments. That includes picking up free door-and-window alarms and a free, personal safety device from the Office of Student Life.

“The safety of the Buckeye community, on and off campus, will always be my top priority,” Johnson said. “While I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made this year with our many safety resources, we’ll continue to make enhancements this summer and beyond.”

This week’s video is the final Health, Safety and Well-Being Update of the semester, and Johnson said periodic updates will be provided throughout the summer.

While the university continues to require that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, Ohio State will be shifting to a voluntary testing program for the summer starting on Monday, May 9. Masks remain optional in most indoor spaces.

The university’s COVID-19 response is always subject to change. Throughout the pandemic, Ohio State has followed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health as well as federal, state and local policy.

The Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website is regularly updated to reflect current guidance.

The following guidance will be in place for the start of summer 2022:

COVID-19 testing

As of Monday, May 9, the university will be suspending its required testing program for asymptomatic individuals.

During spring semester 2022, students were required to test weekly if they lived in university residence halls; were members of social fraternities or sororities; or received exemptions from the university’s vaccination requirement. Faculty and staff who received exemptions were also required to test. Starting Monday, individuals are not required to test.

The university encourages students, faculty and staff to have COVID-19 tests on hand in case they are needed. The federal covid.gov website provides information about ordering free at-home tests as well as other testing resources. The Wexner Medical Center COVID testing site also provides information and resources.

Other testing updates:

• For the summer, PCR testing for asymptomatic individuals will continue to be available on the Columbus campus at the Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W 12th Ave. The testing center at Jesse Owens North will close after Friday, May 6. For information about availability and how to schedule appointments, see the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes testing page.
• Antigen tests are available at various locations on all campuses while supplies last.
• Because employees are no longer required to test based on their exemption status or non-compliance with the vaccination requirement, the university will no longer be providing Vault tests to faculty and staff who currently receive them.

While routine weekly testing will no longer be required, individuals may be required to complete a test to be released from isolation or quarantine after a positive COVID test or exposure.

Vaccination

Ohio State has maintained a vaccination rate exceeding 93% since establishing a vaccination requirement, and the university strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance about booster shots.

Students and employees must either complete their primary vaccination series or receive an exemption to complete the vaccination requirement. Students who are starting at Ohio State this fall must complete the requirement by May 31 to fully participate in orientation and schedule in-person courses. Students who do not complete the vaccination requirement may not take courses with in-person components.

Booster shots, which are under emergency use authorization from U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are currently voluntary. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to share their booster information through the university’s reporting tools to help guide the university’s ongoing response to the pandemic.

Masks

Masks are optional in most indoor spaces on Ohio State University campuses, with the exception of clinical health-care settings and child-care centers. The mask-optional policy applies to locations including classrooms, residence halls, dining facilities, offices, the Ohio Union and public transportation. While masks are not required in these settings, individuals are welcome to wear them. Masks are available at various university locations.

Masks remain a requirement:

• In clinical settings where patient interactions occur – including at the Wexner Medical Center, the Wilce Student Health Center and other health care clinics. This includes corridors, lobbies and nursing stations of the hospital and ambulatory clinics. Please see the Wexner Medical Center website for detailed information about its mask policy.
• At the COVID-19 testing center in the Biomedical Research Tower.
• In child-care centers, including the Nisonger Center at the Wexner Medical Center.

Symptoms or Illness

Individuals should stay home if they are feeling sick and follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with the virus. These guidelines include wearing a mask for at least 10 days.

“Exams are underway, and I know you are working hard to finish strong. As a reminder, the university offers a range of resources for what can be a stressful time,” said Johnson, who encouraged students to check out support available through the Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service and Student Advocacy Center.

The work of the Student Advocacy Center, for example, includes assisting students during times of emergency and helping those who qualify to access emergency funding.

“Please don’t hesitate to reach out, Buckeyes,” Johnson said. “There is also an online request for assistance.”

Additionally, Johnson introduced the “City of Ohio State” podcast from the Office of Administration and Planning, which houses the university’s public safety department among other services. The podcast’s first episode features Director of Public Safety Monica Moll, who discussed a number of safety efforts and resources, including the Community Crime Map.

The map, which was introduced last month, allows users to quickly view off-campus crime statistics from the Columbus Division of Police. The tool can also be customized to provide crime alerts.

“I know how stressful this period right before final exams can be – and the university offers a variety of free resources,” said President Kristina M. Johnson in the latest Health, Safety and Well-Being Update.

The Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service features a full listing of mental-health support resources. Let’s Talk, for example, is an informal, no-appointment-needed program that benefits students who could use support from a licensed clinician rather than traditional counseling. 

Johnson also provided an update on safety enhancements being made on the Columbus campus. Surveillance cameras are now installed at the Ohio Union North and South parking garages. Installation is ongoing at the 9^tth Avenue East and West and the Safe Auto garages as part of a plan to place cameras at all parking garages that serve the academic and Wexner Medical Center community and guests. 

Additionally, a license plate reader pilot program in the University District is making progress. A Department of Public Safety video highlighting these enhancements is available here.

“Working with the city of Columbus, there are now more than 60 cameras in place to assist law enforcement officers with investigations in an area where so many of our Buckeye community members live,” Johnson said.

The president also highlighted the Office of Student Life’s final neighborhood clean-up of the academic year. The event will take place Saturday in the University District.

Finally, Johnson thanked Buckeye supporters for the support shown to the late Dwayne Haskins and his family at Saturday’s Spring Game.

The program, expected to begin in the fall, establishes recommended criteria in areas such as safety and security for off-campus residences. It aims to further strengthen the university’s collaboration with property owners while providing students with enhanced information to best meet their needs.

“Each year, thousands of students look to move into off-campus rental properties – choosing from a wide variety of options for their housing,” Johnson said in the update video. “Facilities that meet each standard will be considered ‘in network,’ and that information will be shared with students as they search for a place to live.”

More information on the program will be made available soon.

Additionally, Johnson shared that the Ohio State University Police Division recently partnered with the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity to implement diversity training for officers. The training is an extension of previous efforts and supports the recommendations of Ohio State’s Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being. 

A video about this training effort is available on the Office of Administration and Planning YouTube channel.

Finally, the president expressed gratitude to students, faculty and staff for their commitment to one another throughout the semester and academic year. 

“Please continue to be safe and smart – respecting your classmates and neighbors this weekend and in the weeks to come,” Johnson said. “We are less than a month away from the end of the semester, and I couldn’t be more proud of your efforts to support each other’s health and safety.”

The video shows a typical day in the life of the trained citizens who make up Buckeye Block Watch. Launched in November, the program features non-sworn safety teams who are taught how to deal with difficult situations and learn best practices for public engagement, including mental health responses, first aid and CPR. 

“Hopefully, you’ve seen them out and about on foot, on bikes or in a vehicle, as they work through and promote your safety in neighborhoods off campus,” President Kristina M. Johnson said in the latest Health, Safety and Well-Being update.

As one Buckeye Block Watch member says in the video, “we’re really just here to make things safer and better.”

Johnson also mentioned the impending return of the football Buckeyes in the Spring Game on April 16. Some students who live in the University District will see Office of Student Life volunteers going door-to-door to talk about safely enjoying the game and respecting neighbors. 

The president also reminded students, faculty, staff and anyone else with interest to check out the customizable Community Crime Map, a useful tool to stay informed about crime in the off-campus area.

Earlier this month, the university launched the Community Crime Map, a tool to help students, faculty and staff stay aware of major crimes in the off-campus area. A step-by-step video on how to customize the map is available on the Department of Public Safety website.

“The map helps you to quickly view crimes occurring off campus in a visual format – and set up your own email alerts that can be sent daily, weekly or monthly,” Johnson explained.

Additionally, the installation of cameras at the Ohio Union North and South garages has been completed. The university also has plans to add cameras at garages serving the Wexner Medical Center as well as other locations around the Columbus campus.

Johnson added that “fostering dialogue and engagement among our community and those charged with helping to keep us safe is a vital element in Ohio State’s collaborative approach to safety.” On April 8, Ohio State’s Office of Student Life will host the conclusion of this year’s Food Truck Event Series, featuring free food and conversation with student Community Ambassadors. The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. in the University District. Johnson also highlighted the work of faculty member Simone Drake, who is leading an interdisciplinary project aimed at improving relations between police and the communities they serve.

Finally, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for the last Buckeye Booster Drawing by Sunday, April 3, to be eligible to win a $100 gift card.

“After next week, 800 students, faculty and staff who received their COVID-19 booster will have won gift cards,” Johnson said. “Thank you to all who participated – and especially for helping to keep yourself and one another safe.”

In her latest Health, Safety and Well-being Update video, Johnson said the decision to focus on the comprehensive map came after talking with students, parents and public safety experts.

“The Community Crime Map allows users to quickly view crimes in a visual format and set up their own email alerts that can be set daily, weekly or monthly,” she said in the video, noting that a step-by-step instructional video can be viewed at dps.osu.edu/daily-crime-log.

Ohio State introduced the tool early this month. The Community Crime Map features off-campus crime reports with statistics from the Columbus Division of Police. The university has pre-programmed the map to a one-mile radius to include the three major crime categories of aggravated assault, residential burglary and robbery of an individual.

“These are the three major crimes most likely to impact our students,” said Ohio State Director of Public Safety Monica Moll, who also goes over the map’s benefits in the video. Additional crime categories and other customizations, including heat maps and trends, are also available in the tool, Moll noted.

As a reminder, users can customize the Community Crime Map to sign up for crime alerts on the frequency of their choosing, to be emailed daily, weekly or monthly. They can enter their own personal home address and choose a specific distance from their home, type of crime and the time of day to receive the email.

On-campus crime alerts will continue to be issued, though they will not appear on the map. Instead, they can be accessed via the Department of Public Safety’s daily crime log.

Since March 2020, Buckeye Paws has made mental health resources more accessible at the Wexner Medical Center and across the health sciences community. Volunteers and their trained canine companions bring comfort and emotional support directly to employees who wish to interact with the dogs.

“These are stressful times, and now all Buckeye students, faculty and staff can request a visit from Ohio State-affiliated volunteers and their trained canine companions,” Johnson said in the video.

You can visit the Buckeye Paws website for more information and to request a visit.

A well-deserved spring break begins next week, said Johnson, who urged students to take safety steps before leaving to help protect their homes. This includes taking valuable items, including IDs and credit cards, and using devices such as window and door alarms, which are available for free at the Ohio Union.

Johnson also encouraged students, faculty and staff who are traveling to pick up at-home antigen COVID-19 tests before they leave. These tests should be taken in the 48 hours before returning to campus, and positive test results should be reported to the university at go.osu.edu/SelfReportTest.

Tests are available at Jesse Owens North, the Ohio Union and Younkin Success Center.

While the university continues to require masks in clinical health care settings (including at the Wexner Medical Center), COVID-19 testing locations, child care centers and on public transportation, Ohio State will be lifting indoor mask requirements in its academic and general-purpose buildings.

For most spaces, the updated masking policy will take effect at 6 p.m. on March 11, with the start of the university’s spring break. Public events, such as those that take place at the Schottenstein Center and the Covelli Center, are mask optional, effective immediately.

Throughout the pandemic, the university has followed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health as well as federal, state and local policy. Ohio State’s updated masking policy reflects improving COVID-19 case counts after the Omicron surge, the high vaccination rate of the university community and the lifting of mask requirements in many jurisdictions, including the city of Columbus this week.

In settings where masks are optional, students, faculty, staff and visitors can decide on an individual basis whether or not they will continue to wear a mask – unless they are Wexner Medical Center employees who received an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Those employees must wear a mask inside any medical center facility. The university continues to distribute masks at various locations on campus.

More than 93% of university community members are vaccinated, and 25% have reported that they have received a booster shot to enhance their protection against COVID-19. The positivity rate among those in Ohio State’s COVID-19 testing program has steadily improved throughout the semester. As of March 6, the seven-day average positivity rate was 0.6%, down from 8.5% on Jan. 19. 

Ohio State continues to urge all members of the community to take necessary precautions against COVID-19, including receiving all vaccination and booster shots for which they are eligible. Through the first week of April, students, faculty and staff who report their booster shots to the university are eligible for prizes in the Buckeye Booster Drawing.

The university will continue to adjust COVID-19 measures as appropriate based on science as well as guidance from national, state and local agencies.

For now, the university will maintain its COVID-19 surveillance testing program, which includes weekly testing of students in university housing, in social fraternities and sororities, and with approved exemptions to the university’s vaccination requirement. Employees with approved exemptions are also required to test weekly.

Individuals should stay home if they are feeling sick and follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with the virus. These guidelines include wearing a mask for at least 10 days.

Specifics of the university’s mask policy are posted on the Personal Safety Practices page of the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website. Under the updated policy, masks must continue to be worn indoors in the following settings:

• In clinical settings where patient interactions occur – including at the Wexner Medical Center, the Wilce Student Health Center and other health care clinics. This includes corridors, lobbies and nursing stations of the hospital and ambulatory clinics.
• At COVID-19 testing centers, including Jesse Owens North.
• In child care centers, including the Nisonger Center at the Wexner Medical Center.
• And on transportation, including CABS and shuttle buses.

Surveillance camera installation begins this week at the Ohio Union garages, and the university expects to have license plate reader cameras installed near the garages by the end of the week, Johnson said.

Working in tandem with the City of Columbus, there are already 30 license plate reader cameras in the University District, part of 60 expected for a new pilot program in the area in which much of the Buckeye community lives.

“We continue to closely monitor crime on and around campus and have increased police and security patrols on campus and in parking lots and garages,” Johnson said in the video. “The university and City of Columbus are in regular communication about crime and crime trends.”

Johnson recently shared the results of an outside, comprehensive review of the university’s expanded approach to off-campus safety. One of the recommendations was to install permanent, fixed lighting to replace the 20 mobile locations that dot the off-campus area. So far, the city has upgraded six of these with permanent LED fixtures, with more to come.  

The report, from Security Risk Management Consultants, also noted the university’s work in offering free personal safety devices to students since last fall. These safety devices emit a piercing, loud noise and light up when activated, bringing immediate attention to the user. 

The safety devices will now be available to all faculty and staff, including at the Wexner Medical Center, Johnson announced. More details on how to get them are forthcoming.

The president also encouraged students who qualify and have not already received a COVID-19 booster to get one before spring break. Boosters are now available at the student health center on the Columbus campus.

Lastly, Johnson acknowledged that cities across the country have removed mask requirements after the CDC’s updated mask guidance, and that the City of Columbus could soon follow. Ohio State leadership will continue to closely monitor the situation as protocols are considered.

In September 2021, Johnson directed the university’s public safety team to engage an external safety expert to examine the effectiveness of its expanded approach to off-campus safety in partnership with the city of Columbus. Security Risk Management Consultants (SRMC) evaluated and reviewed the effectiveness of strategies, plans, programs, resources, tools and tactics utilized by both the university and the city of Columbus to enhance safety and overall perceptions in the off-campus neighborhoods. 

The consultant reviewed crime data and jurisdictional agreements, performed on-site examinations, and conducted interviews with both university and city stakeholders, including students and parents. SRMC looked at benchmarking with peer institutions and contacted subject matter experts.

The report from SRMC is complimentary of the enhancements made so far by the university. These included lighting, cameras, increased patrols, free safety devices and more.

It also made recommendations on how the university can work with community partners to further enhance provided services and technology, staffing and strategies, and outreach and education engagement efforts.

Many of the recommendations made are already in progress or completed, such as installing permanent lighting and evaluating how the university shares off-campus crime information.

“My thanks go to everyone who contributed to the report, including our students and parents who provided input,” Johnson said in the video.

You can see all the recommendations here.

Johnson reiterated that safety includes a focus on mental health, and that the Office of Student Life offers a variety of mental health tools. This includes Wellness Coaching from the Student Wellness Center, which offers support in areas like stress management, balancing relationships, navigating transitions and more.

Lastly, Johnson reminded students, faculty and staff to sign up for the Buckeye Booster Drawing, where so far 200 Buckeyes who have received their COVID-19 booster shots have already earned $100 gift cards. Register by this Sunday, Feb. 27, to be eligible for next week’s drawing.

“We are working to accelerate the installation of additional cameras on and off campus, including in parking garages,” Johnson said in a Health, Safety and Well-being Update video.

“The enhancements we put in place since the start of autumn semester also remain. That includes additional cameras and lighting in the University District and personal safety devices offered for free by the Office of Student Life.” 

Johnson also said that the Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) continues to add to its staffing in response to a recommendation from the university’s Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being. OSUPD has sworn in five new officers to serve the Columbus campus in 2022. In the last five years, Ohio State has increased campus police staffing from 54 to 64 and is actively recruiting additional officers. Law enforcement is supplemented by non-sworn security, Campus Service Officers and Buckeye Block Watch.

The university community is also encouraged to use available resources to travel on and off campus. This includes CABS On-Demand, which expands the benefits of the standard free CABS bus service to a wider part of the Columbus campus, including during overnight hours. For off-campus nighttime travel, Lyft Ride Smart is available.

Another safety tool offered by the university is Rave Guardian, a safety app that allows users to choose specific friends or family to follow them home via GPS tracking. A full list of on- and off-campus safety resources is available on the Ohio State Department of Public Safety website.

“Ohio State and the city of Columbus are not immune to the increase in crime that has impacted major cities across the U.S.,” Johnson said. “We will continue to do all that we can to enhance safety, yet we all need to be aware that our campus is in a large, urban area. So please, take advantage of our resources and be alert about your surroundings as you travel on and off campus.”

As always, community members should call 911 in the case of an emergency or if someone is in need of help. To report suspicious activity that is not an emergency while on campus, call the OSUPD non-emergency line at 614-292-2121.

Available to students, faculty and staff, the service provides on-demand transportation between areas of campus west of the Olentangy River and three bus stops around our academic core: Recreation and Physical Activity Center, Baker Systems Engineering and Watts Hall. CABS On-Demand daily service runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Overnight service operates from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with expanded service to all campus buildings. Community members can download the TripShot app for scheduling and real-time tracking.

“I encourage everyone to use this service, which is a nice alternative to Lyft for students whose travel begins and ends on campus,” Johnson said in her new video.

She also highlighted recommendations made by the university’s Commission on Student Mental Health and Well-Being, which conducted a comprehensive analysis of students’ current and evolving mental health needs and recommended five areas for improvement and innovation. Johnson thanked Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers and Chief Wellness Officer and College of Nursing Dean Bernadette Melnyk for co-chairing the commission of students, faculty and staff – and leading the implementation work, which is underway.

Finally, Johnson urged those who are eligible to enter the Buckeye Booster Drawing. The first 100 winners of $100 gift cards will be announced this week – with seven more drawings to occur through early April. Students, faculty and staff are eligible to sign up for the drawing as soon as they receive their booster shot.

“More than 13,000 of you have entered the drawing so far – an exceptional response,” she said. “Let’s keep it up, Buckeyes.”

The Rave Guardian safety app is available to students, faculty and staff, offering a variety of benefits, including faster delivery of Buckeye Alerts and safety notices from the Department of Public Safety. A unique aspect of the app is the ability for users to choose friends or family to follow them via GPS tracking as they travel around the campus area.

Johnson also shared information about the on-demand mental health resources the university offers. This includes wellness coaching, “Let’s Talk” and “Silver Cloud,” which serve as options for students who may not have a lot of free time, yet still want support and to be able to talk to a mental health expert.

“If you need assistance, we can help,” Johnson said in the new video.

Johnson also reminded the community about the return of monthly meet-and-greet sessions with local law enforcement. More information about these sessions, organized by the Office of Student Life, and including giveaways such as safety devices, can be found at the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement website.

Additionally, the president encouraged everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 booster shot. Ohio State is incentivizing booster shots and will award $100 gift cards to 100 students, faculty and staff each week of the Buckeye Booster Drawing.

The university earlier this week announced the adjustment of some COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The adjustments include transitioning back to in-person student activities and events; restoring seating to full capacity in on-campus dining areas; expanding group activities at recreation centers; resuming concessions at athletic events; and more.

“I want to thank everyone for their diligence, which allowed us to make these changes,” Johnson said.

“In addition to all of the campus safety measures that we’ve undertaken this year, we also continue to advance long-term solutions in the broader community,” President Kristina M. Johnson said today in her safety update. 

STEAMM Rising, for example, is an initiative with the city of Columbus, Columbus City Schools and Columbus State Community College to give young people multiple opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and medicine. Announced in September, the initiative is planning to launch its inaugural STEAMM Summer Institute, which will connect Ohio State faculty with 500 city school teachers over the next five years.

“The ultimate goal is to provide more access to specialized education for children, giving those communities closest to us more opportunities to live rewarding and productive lives,” Johnson said.

Johnson also encouraged members of the community to get their COVID-19 booster shot – and noted the recently announced Buckeye Booster Drawing, offering $80,000 in prizes to students, faculty and staff. Finally, she reminded the university community of the many mental health and wellness resources available, including the Buckeye Peer Access Line, the Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service, and the Employee Assistance Program.

“The pandemic is weighing on everyone – and with the semester well underway, I know that you are also dealing with the stresses of your work in and out of the classroom,” she said. “I want to remind everyone to set aside the time you need to take care of yourself and your loved ones.”

The university added mobile lighting last fall in University District areas frequented by students and the campus community to help fill in the gaps of existing lighting. Now, working with our partners in the city of Columbus, permanent structures are being installed.

“We continue to be dedicated to a holistic approach to safety,” Johnson said in a new video.

The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) is an important element in this approach. In 2021, OSUPD swore in nine new officers, and four more were sworn in this week. Recruitment, hiring and training of more officers is to come, Johnson said.

Johnson also thanked all in the campus community who have received a COVID-19 booster shot. Boosters are available at Jesse Owens North on the Columbus campus and can be scheduled through MyChart. Students can use Lyft for free rides to booster appointments at Ohio State Outpatient Care Upper Arlington. Go to Safe and Healthy Buckeyes for more information.

She noted her own experience teaching in-person this semester and how impressed she is with HVAC evaluations and improvements that occurred over the summer in response to COVID-19, as well as the technology improvements that allow students who are in isolation or sick to access their classes. 

Finally, the president reminded students to stay home if they feel sick and to act as if they are positive until they receive a negative test. Students can schedule a COVID-19 test through MyBuckMD or through their primary doctor, depending on their health insurance plan. She reiterated that Ohio State campuses, colleges and faculty have plans in place to support students who miss class because of illness, recognizing that no student should suffer academically because they did the right thing by staying home.