Office of Student Life

Doc's Download: September 2023

September 26, 2023

Dear Buckeyes, 

Fall semester is underway and I hope it is going well for you. You’ve reached the six-week mark (YAY!) and it’s OK to ask for help and support when you need it. You can find many of our resources on an online list. In addition, Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) has a list of resources on their website that are available 24/7. You can also access the support and resources provided by the Student Wellness Center, the Student Advocacy Center, the Center for Belonging and Social Change and the Younkin Success Center. 

We are all here for you and want to ensure your success. We want to help you engage, learn and thrive!  

Please take a look at the updates and information below to help you make the most of the coming weeks. 
 
In this edition: 

  • Hazing Prevention Week 
  • Well, well, wellness 
  • Flu Season 
  • Did You Know? 
  • Things to do on Campus 
  • Safety Tip 
  • OH! the places you’ll go 
  • Homecoming  
  • Dining with the Deans  
  • Volunteer Opportunities 
  • Meet the Team  

 Hazing Prevention Week 
This is National Hazing Prevention Week. Part of the university’s commitment to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment, the objective is to educate students on the importance of hazing prevention, promote healthy alternatives to hazing and empower students to stand up against hazing. The university has zero tolerance for hazing and members of the university community have the right to be free from all forms of hazing. There will be events all week to create a supportive and inclusive environment and to help everyone feel included and safe within our community. More information, including a list of events, is online.

Well, Well Wellness  
The Student Life Student Wellness Center is offering a virtual nutrition presentation series this fall for students, faculty and staff. Topics to be covered include intuitive eating, weight stigma, weight loss drugs, nutrition for ADHD and more. The series will run from now through November. For more information and to register, visit go.osu.edu/NutritionPresentations.   

Flu Season  
The Wilce Student Health Center will be hosting influenza vaccine clinics for students from 5 – 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. To schedule an appointment, please visit the online web portal by going to shs.osu.edu and selecting My BuckMD from the top navigation bar. Select “Vaccine Clinic-Flu” under appointment type. If you cannot make it to these dates, walk in flu vaccines are available on a limited basis. Call the Pharmacy at 614-292-0125 to verify availability. 

Did You Know?  
Did you know that career development, community engagement, inclusion, personal exploration and wellness are all key leadership skills? Develop your leadership skills with Leadership Week programming taking place Oct. 2-6 and through various programs, workshops, free lunch-and-learns and resources offered throughout campus. Students will also be entered to win one of several gift card incentives for attending sessions and can be gold or silver certified for attending multiple sessions. Sessions are open to all students from all campuses. Please visit go.osu.edu/LeadershipWeek for more information and reach out to wagner.1476@osu.edu for questions/accommodations.  

Things to do on Campus  
Social connections are vital to our mental and physical health, and you are invited to join Student Life at The Big Table. There will be small group discussions on the importance of community connections, the danger in our country’s increasing levels of loneliness, how we can work together to re-energize and strengthen a sense of community. Part of the Columbus Foundation’s Big Table initiative, the event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 10:30 a.m. – noon in the Ohio Union Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom. You can RSVP online. 

Safety Tip  
Student Life’s Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement offers complementary personal safety alarms to Ohio State students, that, when triggered, create a loud noise that can be heard a couple hundred feet way. The devices are small and lightweight, perfect for a keychain or backpack. You can also get complimentary home safety devices, including door and window alarms, as well as smart plugs that can turn lights on or off remotely. Collect your devices by stopping by their office (3106 Ohio Union) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

OH! the places you’ll go  
Looking for a way to have fun this fall? How about visiting Scene 75, the Largest Indoor Entertainment Center in Columbus. You can save money by getting gift cards through D-Tix, Ohio State’s discount ticket program. Scene 75 gift cards are just $10 each, but worth $20. You can get two per BuckID per week for current Ohio State Columbus campus students. There are plenty of other opportunities as well, including shows, museums, concerts, sporting events and more available at an exclusive rate. Find out more about D-Tix online. 

Homecoming  
Ohio State celebrates the 111th annual Homecoming weekend beginning Friday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at the Ohio Stadium in the West Stadium Parking lot and will include student organization banners, floats, colleges, departments, community organizations and local celebrities. Learn more about Homecoming online. 

Dining with the Deans  
The Dean of Students Team is inviting students to join them for lunch to discuss your thoughts, challenges, goals, concerns or whatever else you would like to talk about. Fall semester events will take place at Sloopy’s in the Ohio Union on Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Tuesday, Nov. 14. More information about Dining with the Deans is online. All students are welcome. You can sign up for Dining with the Deans online.   

Volunteer Opportunities 
The Student Life Student Wellness Center is recruiting student volunteers for the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Team, Scarlet and Gray Financial Coaching, Wellness Ambassadors and Wellness Coaching. This is an opportunity to learn more about the Ten Dimensions of Wellness, promote wellness to your peers, learn about topics important to college students’ health and well-being and gain valuable experiences. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all majors are welcome to apply and no previous experience is necessary. Apply online to volunteer by Oct. 27.  

Meet the Team 
You may already know Ryan Lovell. He’s been with Ohio State for several years, but now he has a new role in the Office of Student Life, Associate Vice President for Health and Well-being. Learn more about Ryan Lovell online.  

I hope your semester is off to a Scarlet and Great start. O-H!   

 

Doc 

Melissa Shivers, PhD 
Senior Vice President for Student Life