Today's Update: Friday, August 26, 2022
August 26, 2022
Dear Student Life team,
Happy High Five Friday and end of the first week of classes!
First, a High Five to everyone who helped pivot the Involvement Fair from last weekend to this coming Sunday. Here’s hoping the weather is more cooperative this time.
The storms last weekend did more than force us to move events, they also knocked out power to a number of buildings on campus. High Fives to the many people who got us through that situation, including Kevin Bledsoe, Tom Roush, Nate Darder, Mike Scheller, Chris Dutton, Joe Stuckey, Mike Brecht, Alex Cates, Ralph Cottrill, Ben Haycook, Josh Karnap, Matt Wells and Keith Glenn.
Move-In was again a huge success. High Fives to everyone who helped out, with special High Fives to Aubrie Smith, Jen Miller and the entire Housing and Residence Education team. They all put in a great deal of time and effort to make the whole process work smoothly and efficiently. I’ll have the whole list of everyone who helped in next week’s message.
High Five to Stacey Renker for taking the lead with coordinating the emergency housing process. Also, High Fives to Jen Nelson, Christy Blessing, Mindy Clagg, Paul O’Leary, Preston Tartt and Gabi Bockelman their help developing and implementing the process.
High Five to Jenn Irwin for all her wonderful, yet difficult, work with student families over the past weeks.
The Off-Campus Housing Network is officially launched, and High Five to Rochelle Toth for leading the effort. Dilna Cama also gets a High Five for her presentation to President’s Cabinet about the program.
High Fives to Paul O’Leary and a team consisting of Jack Cilles, Tom Roush, Adam Cutright, Josh Karnap and Cole Chalfant for staying late in the evening to come up with a very creative solution to address a last-minute accommodation request which has allowed the student to function independently within the residence hall.
Ben Daleiden and Seth Rhodes get High Fives for their help raising awareness of the newly named Center for Belonging and Social Change. The Center says, “Their foresight, flexibility and follow-through have been phenomenal.”
High Five to Ari Grubaugh for facilitating five straight days of LGBTQ workshops and trainings for student staff and several scholars groups.
Here is another example of how we all support each other. Counseling and Consultation Service nominates Josh Slaven and Mohammed Baseer from Student life Technology Services for a High Five, saying, “They have been amazing with helping us manage updates with our electronic health record for students. This required quick, time-sensitive responses. They always have our students’ needs as a priority and work with us as a team.” High Five, Josh and Mohammed.
Finally, I thought you’d like to know how others campus colleagues kick off the school year. Dean Karla Zadnik hosted College of Optometry students at her home this week to welcome them back to campus. She prepares each dish from scratch and it’s a great way for students to connect with one another and the Dean to share her support for their experience. High Five, Dean Zadnik!
Have a Scarlet and Great weekend!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University