Students, faculty and staff at The Ohio State University are nearing the start of a new academic year. Along with the excitement and energy on campus, the university is sharing some important updates and reminders to help ensure a successful start to the semester.
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.
Source: OSU.EDU
