Office of Student Life

In a Nutshell: August 29, 2023

August 29, 2023

Dear Partners in Student Success, 

Happy new academic year! I hope the semester is off to a good start for you. I love the excitement that surrounds this time of year. Here are a few updates and bits of information I hope you find helpful. 

In this issue: 

  • Safety Initiatives  
  • Conduct Board 
  • Dining Award 
  • Buckeye Food Alliance  
  • Buck-I-SERV Advisors 
  • Get Involved Consultations 
  • Psyche Bytes 
  • Hazing Prevention Week 

 

Safety Initiatives 
Student Life’s Willie J. Young Sr., Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement (OCCSE) department has planned a series of community-building activities in the University District. The next safety focused Community Food Truck gathering will be Friday, Sept. 22, and the next Off-Campus Community Clean-up will be Sun., Sept. 24.  Both these activities recur monthly. Safety devices, including personal safety devices as well as door/window alarms and smart timers continue to be available free for students in the OCCSE offices on the third floor of the Ohio Union. In addition, safety inspections of properties in the University District have resumed this semester after a summer break in The Ohio State University Off-Campus Housing Network. 

Conduct Board 
The University Conduct Board (UCB) hears cases in which students are charged with non-academic violations of the Code of Student Conduct. The UCB is comprised of students, faculty and staff from across the university. By modeling civility and care during what can often be a challenging experience for students, the UCB provides a valuable service to the entire university by upholding the university’s standards through a fair and impartial hearing. Learn more about joining the UCB at go.osu.edu/UCBService. Apply to serve on UCB through the application link. For more information, contact Kirby Bell (bell.1776@osu.edu).   

 

Dining Award  
If you haven’t eaten in one of our Student Life Dining Services locations, you are in for a treat. This is not your traditional school cafeteria, with limited selections and standard fare. Dining Services Chef David Wolf recently won a national culinary competition for his dish “Asian-inspired pork three ways.” You can read about it online. Whether you are hungry for a meal, snack or just a cup of coffee, stop by one of our many locations across campus. And the watch for special signs and the menu boards at each location for special “Limited Time Offers” to pique your tastebuds.  

 

Buckeye Food Alliance 
An Ohio State alumna has helped the university take a major step toward student food security.  Kathryn McClusky, Class of 1971 and a Journalism major, bequeathed $500,000 in a planned estate gift to the Student Food Pantry Fund/Buckeye Food Alliance upon her death in October 2022. Kathryn, active her whole life with fellow Ohio State alumni, was editor of The Lantern and went on to a long career in print journalism with Gannett, including as part of the formation team for USA Today. The pantry is operated by Student Life’s Student Wellness Center. It is available to all Ohio State students and distributes hundreds of pounds of food each week. You can read more online.  

 

Buck-I-SERV Advisors 
Student Life’s Buck-I-SERV Alternative Break program is currently seeking trip advisors for winter break domestic trips. Buck-I-SERV provides participants with week-long, substance-free service trips. Winter trips will travel from December 15-22, 2023. Advisors can be faculty, staff, graduate students or professional students. Trip advisors provide support and mentorship to student participants and leaders. Serving as an instrumental resource during alternative break experiences, advisors incur no participant fees and no previous experience is necessary. Learn more about the trip advisor role and submit an application today! Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2023. Please contact Buck-I-Serv@osu.edu for more information. 

 

Get Involved Consultations 
As new and returning students settle into their fall routines, many are starting their search for campus involvement of all kinds. Peer Student Organization Success Coaches are available for one-on-one “Get Involved” consultations with students looking for personalized recommendations that match their interests and goals. Encourage your students to set up a 30-minute consultation at this link.    

 

Psych Bytes 
Psych Bytes is a new podcast created at Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS). The podcast covers a wide range of information pertaining to mental health, commonly asked questions, available resources and general education that centers on the experiences of college students. The aim is to reduce stigma around mental health, improve health literacy, normalize common experiences and provide education on prevention, intervention and resources related to student mental health and well-being. I hope you take time to check it out! 

 

National Hazing Prevention Week 
National Hazing Prevention week is September 25-29 where many universities across the country, including Ohio State, raise awareness and increase education about hazing. The goal is to educate students on the importance of hazing prevention, promote alternatives to hazing and empower students to stand up against hazing. For more information about hazing prevention, visit https://stophazing.osu.edu/. In addition, the Greek Programming Board is bringing Kathleen Wiant to campus on Tuesday, September 5. Mother of Collin Wiant, the Ohio University student who died from a hazing ritual, she is a nationally known advocate and instrumental in the passage of Ohio’s Collin’s Law. Registration for the event is online.  

And you can help remind students that they should take the Collin’s Law anti-hazing educational module before they join a student organization. It’s in BuckeyeLearn.  

  

As always, thank you for your partnership and support of Ohio State students. Have a Scarlet and Great year!       
 
 
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD    
Senior Vice President for Student Life    
The Ohio State University