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.

• 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.

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 whole goal for me was to help get my community training and information that could help us all stay safe,” Detective Shaffer said.

In January, Shaffer shared her expertise with a larger audience at the second annual Master Trainer Summit. The event, held in Washington, D.C., featured presentations from public safety professionals at the local, state and federal levels.

“It offered us all an opportunity to look at operations at different levels in threat assessment, from different points of view from around the country,” she said.

Shaffer spoke about her work at Ohio State, which has focused on creating programming that helps university faculty and staff understand what concerning behaviors should be reported and how to do so. The biggest hurdle, she said, is the reticence people feel about reporting.

“That’s a natural feeling,” she said. “All of us feel that. The training helps you remove your heart from the situation and gives you an objective view of the behavior you’re seeing.”

The other part of the training is helping participants understand how the reporting process works.

“What will we do with that information? What does it look like if you send me something?” she said. “I tell people all the time: We realize that most things that are reported don’t amount to anything. But we would rather look at a thousand hours of social media and determine there’s no issue than miss that one thing.”

Shaffer stressed in her presentation that reports are handled conscientiously.

“We’re going to be careful and considerate with the information brought to us. We know there are ramifications,” she said. “We have to handle all those calls professionally and ensure we’re doing it in such a way that no harm is caused.”

Shaffer was happy with how to presentation was received – pleasantly surprised, even.

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, because I don’t have a Ph.D. behind my name,” she said. “In this group of individuals, there’s a lot of letters behind everyone’s names. I received a lot of positive feedback for Ohio State and the information I presented about our team. It was humbling.”

There was one person at the summit whose assessment meant the most to Shaffer: Mario Scalora, a professor of psychology at the University of Nebraska, who is an expert in the field.

“He is a person who, no matter if you’re a police officer like myself or you’re in the FBI, you know who he is. His work has helped continue the evolution of threat assessment,” she said. “He stopped and talked to me and said, ‘You did a great job. These are the things I’m really glad you highlighted.’ I’m trying to be cool but inside, I’m like, ‘This is incredible.’”

In the end, what Shaffer enjoyed most about the summit was making connections with other organizations, both those she could learn from and those with which she could share her experience. Police work is often siloed, she said, because the work is jurisdictional. That makes information sharing all the more important.

“[The presentations] inspired me to think more broadly about our partners, not just here at Ohio State but also outside the university. You know, only 16,000 students live on campus. Everyone else lives off-campus. When you talk about our community, it’s not just Ohio State. Ohio is concentric circles: You have Ohio State, then you have Franklin County and it gets bigger and bigger and you realize that all these efforts require partnership.”

OSUPD has an authorized strength of 70 sworn police officers and is supported by non-sworn security and technology, including more than 5,000 surveillance cameras and a 9-1-1 dispatch center located on campus. The university’s Department of Public Safety works closely with local, state and federal partners, including the Columbus Division of Police.

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 inaugural academic council of seven members will conduct a national search for an executive director for the center.

This year the Ohio General Assembly selected Ohio State and four other state universities to establish academic centers for teaching and researching the foundation and growth of the American constitutional order and society. At Ohio State, the Chase Center will be an independent academic center physically housed in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

The seven scholars of the academic council are noted for their national reputations for academic excellence, and their appointment is subject to the consent of the Ohio Senate.

The Chase Center will be a focal point for advancing the values to which the nation is committed, including free speech, civil discourse, critical thinking and intellectual diversity.

The academic council members will recommend finalists for the executive director position to the president of the university, subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees. The scholars are:

• Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. 
• Vladimir Kogan, professor of political science at Ohio State.
• Lucas Morel, John K. Boardman, Jr. Professor of Politics and Head of the Politics Department at Washington and Lee University.
• Colleen Sheehan, professor, Arizona State University School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
• Bradley Smith, Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nauly Professor of Law at Capital University Law School.
• David Van Slyke, dean, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business-Government Policy at Syracuse University.
• Jean Yarbrough, Gary M. Pendy Sr. Professor of Social Sciences at Bowdoin University.

Trustees also approved Karla Zadnik as interim executive vice president and provost, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

As interim provost, Zadnik will lead Ohio State’s mission as the chief academic officer.

Zadnik is the first woman dean of Ohio State’s College of Optometry, the first woman dean of a public school or college of optometry, and a prominent patient-oriented researcher in the field of optometry and vision science. She is an Ohio State Distinguished Scholar, serves as the lead dean for the university’s seven health science colleges and chairs the Biomedical Sciences Institutional Review Board.

She has been dean of the College of Optometry since 2014, and is the Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics. She has also served as interim dean of the College of Public Health since July. Zadnik will serve as Ohio State’s interim provost as well as remain in her position as interim dean of the College of Public Health.

Jeffrey Walline, associate dean for research in optometry, will lead the College of Optometry as interim dean. The university will announce the search committee for Ohio State’s next executive vice president and provost in the coming weeks.

The board and acting President Peter Mohler also discussed the Israel-Hamas War and safety and security on campus. Board Chair Hiroyuki Fujita strongly supported Mohler’s recent messages to the community, which reiterated that Ohio State does not tolerate violations of the law or university policy and does not tolerate hatred, intimidation or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity. 

“Our focus on safety and supporting the Ohio State community is critical to creating an environment with zero tolerance for threats, discrimination and harassment of any kind,” said Fujita, who applauded Mohler’s leadership in recent weeks to add more lights, cameras, license plate readers, and more to help make the campus area safer.

Fujita called on Mohler to “take a bold step forward to make Ohio State a leader and convener in addressing crime and its causes over the long term” by bringing together stakeholders across Columbus, the region and Ohio. Mohler said he would work with senior leaders and incoming President Ted Carter, who joins the university on Jan. 1, 2024, to prioritize addressing crime and safety in the community.

Mohler emphasized that Ohio State will continue to support all members of the community.

“During times like this, it’s easy to focus on our differences,” he said. “But it’s important to remember that all of us are part of The Ohio State University – a place for people to come together – even and especially when our differences seem the greatest. We know everything we accomplish means more, and does more, when we accomplish it together.”

The following actions were taken during the full board meeting:

Professional services and construction contracts approved
The board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

• FY24 College Facility Master Plans
  Professional services contracts totaling $1 million, to be paid for with university funds.
• RadOnc Advanced Imaging Linac
  Professional services contracts totaling $900,000, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• 2001 Polaris Parkway ­– Cell Therapy Lab
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $6.9 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• The James Outpatient Care – Fourth Floor Ortho Sarcoma and Rehab
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $8 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Tunnel Rehabilitation Phase I
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $5.3 million, to be paid for with university debt and partner funds.
• Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $38.3 million, to be paid for with university debt, auxiliary funds and fundraising.
• Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell
  Professional services and construction contracts totaling $10.6 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.
• Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center
  Construction contracts totaling $19.7 million, to be paid for with partner funds and grant funds.
• East Hospital – Fire Suppression
  Construction contracts totaling $5.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

Property transactions approved
The board approved the sale of property located at:

• 7706 Olentangy River Road in Columbus, which no longer aligns with the Wexner Medical Center’s ambulatory care strategy.

The board approved the acquisition of property located at:

• 1795 Oil City Road near Wooster, which the university has been leasing. Ohio State has identified the site for long-term strategic purposes.

The board approved the ground lease of property located at:

• 3025 W. Dublin Granville Road in Columbus. The university is leasing 10 acres for use by the Voyager Space, Starlab, ground-based Terrestrial Analog Facility.

Resolutions in Memoriam approved

• Edward “Ed” J. Kane, professor emeritus in the Department of Economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on March 2, 2023, at age 87.
• Stella Bicouvaris Kontras, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the College of Medicine, who died on Aug. 8, 2023, at age 95.
• John David Latshaw, professor emeritus of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept. 10, 2023.
• Sean O’ Sullivan, associate professor in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died on Oct. 17, 2023, at age 58.
• Alma Montano Saddam, faculty emerita in the College of Education and Human Ecology, who died on Sept. 25, 2023, at age 85.
• Neil E. Smeck, professor emeritus of soil science in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, who died on Aug. 14, 2023. 
• Ruben “Mark” Sulc, professor of horticulture and crop science in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died on Sept.16, 2023. 
• Luther G. Tweeten, professor emeritus of agricultural economics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who died on Oct. 25, 2023.

FY23 progress report on Ohio Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency recommendations
The board approved the annual report required by House Bill 49, which says that the board of trustees of each state college and university must approve an efficiency report based on the task force recommendations each fiscal year and submit it to the chancellor of higher education.

Discontinuation of transcript withholding for unpaid balances approved
Trustees approved discontinuing the practice of transcript withholding for students and former students for unpaid balances.

Board committee appointments ratified
The board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2024-25 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student Life

• Jeff M.S. Kaplan, chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh, vice chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler
• Reginald A. Wilkinson
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Susan E. Cole (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & Investment

• Tomislav B. Mitevski, chair
• James D. Klingbeil, vice chair
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Michael Kiggin
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Amy Chronis
• Kent M. Stahl
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & Compliance

• Elizabeth P. Kessler, chair
• Michael Kiggin, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & Facilities

• Alan A. Stockmeister, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Elizabeth A. Harsh
• Pierre Bigby
• George A. Skestos
• Joshua H.B. Kerner
• James D. Klingbeil
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships

• Lewis Von Thaer, chair
• Reginald A. Wilkinson, vice chair
• Juan Jose Perez
• Bradley R. Kastan
• George A. Skestos
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Phillip Popovich (faculty member)
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & Governance

• John W. Zeiger, chair
• Elizabeth P. Kessler, vice chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• Gary R. Heminger
• Lewis Von Thaer
• Jeff M.S. Kaplan
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Wexner Medical Center

• Leslie H. Wexner, chair
• Alan A. Stockmeister
• John W. Zeiger
• Gary R. Heminger
• Tomislav B. Mitevski
• Juan Jose Perez
• Taylor A. Schwein
• Stephen D. Steinour
• Robert H. Schottenstein
• Cindy Hilsheimer
• Amy Chronis
• Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)
• Peter J. Mohler (ex officio, voting)
• Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)
• Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)
• John J. Warner (ex officio, voting)

Bylaw changes to Wexner Medical Center board approved
Trustees approved amendments to the bylaws of the Wexner Medical Center Board.

Audited consolidated financial statements approved
The board approved the draft audited consolidated financial statements to the Auditor of State. The university annually seeks an independent audit of the consolidated statements as a matter of strong financial oversight.

Ratification of cost allocation agreement approved
The board approved a cost allocation agreement regarding the Combined Heat and Power Plant with Ohio State Energy Partners.

Code of Student Conduct amendments approved
Trustees approved revisions to the Code of Student Conduct, which the Council of Student Affairs is required to review every five years.

Personnel actions approved
The board approved the following faculty appointments:

• Xun Ai has been appointed professor (Fred A. Hitchcock Professorship in Environmental Physiology) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Nina Kraguljac has been appointed professor (Dr. Lee E. Shackelford Professorship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Whitney Luke has been appointed professor and chair (Dr. Ernest W. Johnson Endowed Chair) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Alan Luo has been appointed professor (Donald D. Glower Chair in Engineering) in the College of Engineering for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Samilia Obeng-Gyasi has been appointed associate professor (Endowed Surgical Professorship in Health Equity) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Eugene Oltz has been appointed professor and chair (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Chair for Clinical Research) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Aug. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Kaya Sahin has been appointed vice provost for international affairs and global strategies in the Office of Academic Affairs for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2029.
• Claudia Turro has been appointed professor and chair (Dr. Melvin L. Morris Endowed Professorship in Inorganic Chemistry) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through Aug. 14, 2028.
• Diane Von Ah has been appointed professor (Mildred E. Newton Professorship) in the College of Nursing for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2028.
• Daniel Wozniak has been appointed professor (The Samuel Saslaw Professorship in Infectious Diseases) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Elizabeth Yu has been appointed associate professor-clinical (Dr. Benjamin R. and Helen Slack Wiltberger Memorial Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery) in the College of Medicine for a term running from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

Reappointments

• Ahmad Al-Jallad has been reappointed professor (M.S. Sofia Chair in Arabic Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug.16, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Skyler Cranmer has been reappointed professor (Carter Phillips and Sue Henry Professorship in Political Science) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 15, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
• Michael Early has been reappointed professor-clinical (Vision Service Plan (VSP) Chair for the Advancement of Professional Practice) in the College of Optometry for a term running from Sept. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
• Jared Gardner has been reappointed professor (Joseph V. Denney Designated Professorship in English) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from Aug. 16, 2023, through Aug. 15, 2028.
• Benjamin Segal has been reappointed professor and chair (Stanley D. and Joan H. Ross Chair in Neuromodulation) in the College of Medicine for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.
• Alexander Wendt has been reappointed professor (Ralph D. Mershon Professorship in National Security Studies) in the College of Arts and Sciences for a term running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027.

The board also approved the following senior employee agreements:

• Trevor Brown, extension as dean, John Glenn College of Public Affairs in the Office of Academic Affairs, through June 30, 2025.
• Jay Kasey, retention payment as senior vice president for Administration and Planning in the Office of the President, through June 30, 2024.

Degrees and certificates approved
The board approved the degrees and certificates for students who have completed the necessary requirements, to be conferred on Dec. 17, 2023.

Utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2024 approved
Trustees approved the Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2024.

Joint use agreements approved
The board approved joint use agreements with the following entities, as specified in the 2023-24 state capital budget:

• Highland Youth Garden
• Kitchen of Life
• Pickaway County Community Foundation
• Zora’s House

University Foundation report approved
The board approved the report as of Sept. 30, 2023, which includes the establishment of two endowed professorships: the Philip Barbour Hardymon Professorship in Surgery and the Endowed Surgical Professorship in Health Equity; three scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; 12 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of five named endowed funds.

Football ticket prices and golf course membership dues approved
The board approved ticket prices for the Buckeyes’ eight-game, 2024 home football season. Trustees also approved a plan to allow the Department of Athletics to finalize football ticket price ranges for two future seasons – 2025 and 2026 – and approved an increase in membership dues for the Ohio State Golf Course.

Naming of university spaces approved
The board approved the naming of the following spaces:

• The student commons in Galvin Hall at the Lima campus as the G. Gilbert Cloyd Student Commons

Internal spaces in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center:

• Drs. Caroline Whitacre and Michael Para Administrative Suite (330)
• Anne E. Klamar, MD, and Robert C. Klamar, MD, Administrative Suite (405)
• Generous gift from Lisa and Larry Copeland (010)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1970 (012)
• Dr. R. Eugene Arthur and Catherine Arthur Conference Room (329)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1971 (132)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1973 (4-year program) (232)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1972 (234)
• Gary Bitonte, MD, FACS Dean’s Conference Room (Room 300C)
• Generous gift from John Lewis Melvin and Carol Melvin Pate (005)
• Generous gift from Milo Hilty, MD, Pediatric ID & Mrs. Susan Hilty (125)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1990 (135)
• Brenda R. & Joel E. Goodnough, ‘79 MD, Res, Conference Room and Library (440B)
• Generous gift from Dr. Ashish & Dr. Bethany Panchal, Class of 2005 (225)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1977 (235)
•  Generous gift from Mr. Laurence B. Stone and Dr. Linda C. Stone (305B)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1985 (320L)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1960 (320A)
• Generous gift from Dina K. Rooney ‘89 MD in memory of Dr. Bertha Bouroncle (015B)
•  Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1997 (002C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 2000 (014)
•  Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1996 (015A)
• Howard H. Lee, ‘87 MD, Res and Jean S. Lew, DDS Study Room (016)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1975 (018)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1966 (025K)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1989 in memory of our classmates (025L)
•  Generous gift from R. M. Deamer ‘67 MD, in memory of Zena Deamer & G. H. Griffith (405D)
• Generous gift from Dr. Eric Okum (015C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1992 (015E)
• Generous gift from the MD Class of 2002 (015G)
• Donna A. Caniano, MD Study Room (015Q)
• Generous gift from Dr. Eric Altneu & Dr. Kelly Copeland Hall (015R)
•  Generous gift from the College of Medicine Class of 2015 (340A)
•  Generous gift from Dr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Stephanie Caterino (420Q)
• Dr. James Hutchinson Williams Interview Room (425)
• Generous gift from Dr. Roger A. & Mrs. Marilyn B. Friedman (340B)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 2007 (350C)
• Generous gift from the Medical Class of 1986 (350A)
• Generous gift from Kevin D. Hollis MD, MBA & KaSheena Hollis, DMD and Demicha Rankin, MD & Chay Rankin MBA (428B)a

Internal spaces in the Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute:

• Benhase Family Respite Area (X1820C)
• Lisa H. Ricker Respite Area (X1920C)
• Kathy & Alec Wightman Respite Area (X2020C)

An internal space in the James Outpatient Care facility:

• Generous gift from Sandra and David Filbert (6246)

Internal spaces in Galvin Hall at the Lima campus:

• The Rudolph “Rudy” Schneidhorst, DVM Conference Room
• Dr. Earl, Brenda, Craig & Kevin Recker Catering Kitchen
• The Phelps Family Huddle Room

An internal space in the Veterinary Medical Center:

• Exam Room 5 as the Generously donated by Alpha Psi Alumni Association Alpha Chapter est. 1907

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. 

Led by a team of researchers at The Ohio State University, the study published recently in the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2022 describes a framework for testing and characterizing the safety of legged robots, machines that, unlike their wheeled counterparts, rely on mechanical limbs for movement. The study found that many current legged robotic models don’t always act predictably in response to real-life situations, meaning it’s hard to predict whether they’ll fail – or succeed – at any given task that requires movement.

“Our work reveals that these robotic systems are complex and, more importantly, anti-intuitive,” said Bowen Weng, a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering at Ohio State. “It means you can’t rely on the robot’s ability to know how to react in certain situations, so the completeness of the testing becomes even more important.”

As mobile robots evolve to carry out more diverse and sophisticated tasks, many in the scientific community also note that the industry needs a set of universal safety testing regulations, especially as robots and other artificial intelligence have gradually begun to flow into our everyday lives. Legged robots especially, which are often made of metal and can run as fast as 20 mph, could quickly become safety hazards when expected to operate alongside humans in real and often unpredictable environments, said Weng.

“Testing is really about assessing risk, and our aim is to investigate how much risk robotics currently presents to users or customers while in a working condition,” he said. 

While there are currently some safety specifications in place for the deployment of legged robots, Weng noted that there isn’t yet any common agreement on how to test them in the field. 

This study develops the first data-driven, scenario-based safety testing framework of its kind for legged robots, said Weng. 

“In the future, these robots might have the chance to live with human beings side-by-side, and will most likely be collaboratively produced by multiple international parties,” he said. “So having safety and testing regulations in place is extremely important for the success of this kind of product.” 

The research, which was partly inspired by Weng’s work as a vehicle safety researcher at the Transportation Research Center, which partners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, takes advantage of sample-based algorithms to discern how simulated robots  partially driven by machine learning techniques would fail during real-world testing. 

Though various factors can be used to characterize a robot’s overall safety performance, this study analyzed a set of conditions under which the robot would not fall over while actively navigating a new environment. And because many of the algorithms the team used stemmed from previous robotics experiments, they were able to design multiple scenarios for the simulations to run. 

One trial focused on studying the robot’s ability to move while performing tasks at different gaits, such as walking backward or stepping in place. In another, researchers tested whether the robot would take a tumble if it was periodically pushed with enough force to alter its direction.

The study showed that while one robot failed to stay upright for 3 out of 10 trials when asked to slightly speed up its gait, another could remain upright over 100 trials when pushed from its left side, but fell over during 5 out of 10 trials when the same force was applied to its right side. 

Eventually, the researchers’ framework could help certify the commercial deployment of legged robots and help establish a safety benchmark for robots created with different structures and properties, though Weng noted it’ll be a while before it can be implemented. 

“We believe this data-driven approach will help create an unbiased, more efficient way to make observations of robots in the conditions of a test environment,” he said. “What we’re working towards isn’t immediate, but for researchers down the line.”

Co-authors were Guillermo Castillo and Ayonga Hereid of Ohio State, and Wei Zhang of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. 

Protecting the campus community and keeping students, faculty, staff and families informed remain our top priorities. The following new tools help add to an existing toolkit of safety resources:

• Stay Safe, Buckeyes is an online safety class that teaches students how to enhance their own safety through scenario-based exercises. Students can take the interactive course via BuckeyeLearn. Parents and interested community members can watch all 10 videos on YouTube.
  • Classes focus on topics most relevant to students who live and gather off-campus and include crime prevention, crime reporting, when and why the university issues safety notices, mental health, police engagement and the differences between where Ohio State and Columbus police patrol.
• Portable personal safety devices that students can attach to their backpacks or purses and pull to signal a loud alarm. The Office of Student Life is offering thousands of these devices that can attract attention in the case of an emergency. This is in addition to the nearly 5,000 window and door alarms, safety timers and smoke alarm batteries that have already been distributed to students this year. Students can register for a pickup time online to get one of the devices at the Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office in the Ohio Union.
  • Members of the Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being worked with students, faculty, law enforcement, mental health professionals and other key stakeholders to acquire the devices and build the safety class.
• Increasing access to Ohio State News Alerts – the new communications tool that offers timely updates to students, faculty and staff ­­­– to parents and families of students. These are separate and distinct from Buckeye Alerts. Instead, these brief, timely updates are designed to provide safety tips and information, health resources, timely traffic information and more.
  •  Interested Buckeye family members can click here to subscribe.
• Expanding the Office of Student Life’s Community Ambassador program. Another outcome of the safety task force, ambassadors – students who serve as off-campus advocates and focus on an assigned off-campus area to help promote a safer, engaged and collaborative community ­– is expanding in size and scope.

The university recently expanded Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State into the Short North area along High Street. Program hours run 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and the discounted rides are no longer capped each month.

“These new offerings provide students with additional tools and give parents and families more information about what’s happening around campus,” President Kristina M. Johnson said in an email to the campus community.

Other recent additions include increased private security and mobile lighting and camera systems to support police patrols in the off-campus area.

After the tragic death last October of Ohio State student Chase Meola, President Johnson established the Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being to help identify and implement holistic solutions to safety and well-being in the campus area.

So far, 13 of the task force’s 15 recommendations from the task force have been partially or fully implemented. An overview of safety measures and actions, and how the university has communicated about safety issues, can be seen here via the Department of Public Safety.