Office of Student Life

In a Nutshell: December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Dear Partner in Student Success,    

We are nearly to end of the fall semester, a time when students often need extra support. Below are some resources and information that I hope you find helpful. 

In this issue:  

  • Mental Health  

  • Advisors Guide  

  • Reading Day   

  • Graduation Survey 

  • Donate  

  • Dining and Walking with the Deans 

  • Involvement Fair 

 

Mental Health  
Though the semester is winding down, Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) is always available to support student mental health and well-being. For students who need support with problem-solving, campus resources or just a space to vent, Let’s Talk consultations will continue to be offered on weekdays throughout winter break. These are informal, confidential 15-20 minute conversations with a CCS counselor. Additionally, CCS provides an after-hours line for urgent concerns that may come up outside of regular business hours such as evenings, weekends and holidays. Students can call 614-292-5766 and select option 2 after-hours.  

Advisors Guide
Counseling and Consultation has created a new guide for academic advisors for dealing with student burnout. The guide, developed in collaboration with other campus partners including the Chief Wellness Officer and Academic Affairs, offers ideas and suggestions advisors can make for students who are suffering from burnout, and includes campus resources that can help. More information, and the guide, are online.  

 

Reading Day
Reading Day this semester is tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 7, an opportunity for students to rest, refuel and prepare for finals. It was created to provide a one-day break between the end of classes and the beginning of finals. Student Life departments and campus partners will be offering fitness classes, snack breaks and more across campus. More information and a schedule of events is online at go.osu.edu/readingday.  
 

Graduation Survey 
This semester’s Ohio State Graduation Survey has been sent to those about to graduate in fall 2023. The survey, administered by the Center for the Study of Student Life, asks about students’ experiences and will be used to enhance the experiences of future students, so please encourage graduating students you know to participate. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, Dec. 19. More information is online.  

 

Donate 
If you are planning to clean out your closet or pantry, two Office of Student Life programs would love to accept your donations to assist Ohio State students. The Buckeye Food Alliance on-campus Food Pantry serves students with low food security and is in need of non-perishable food items. Buckeye Careers’ Clothes Closet takes donations of gently used business attire so students can look their best for jobs and interviews. Donations are tax deductible. More information is online. 

 

Dining and Walking with the Deans  
Dean of Students Dr. Danny Glassman and his team regularly meet with students for casual conversation. Topics can include students’ ideas challenges, goals, concerns and other thoughts. They have two types of opportunities, Dining with the Deans at Sloopy’s in the Ohio Union and Buckeye Walks and Talks, where the Dean and Associate Deans of Students walk around campus giving out buckeyes (the kind you can eat!) and listening to students’ experiences, suggestions and accomplishments. Spring semester schedules for both opportunities are online.   

 

Involvement Fair 
The 2024 Spring Student Involvement Fair will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and Thursday, Jan. 18, in the Ohio Union's Performance Hall and Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom from 4 - 7 p.m. each day. The Spring Student Involvement Fair gives new and returning students an opportunity to explore more options for their involvement. Smaller and more intimate than the Fall Student Involvement Fair, the spring fair gives students the perfect chance to meet people and learn about the great things that Ohio State's student organizations are doing. Each day will feature different organizations to maximize interactions. Students do not need to pre-register for the event. Student Organizations and university departments may register for booths from now until Dec. 19 at go.osu.edu/sifboothregistration.  More information about the fair itself can be found on go.osu.edu/sif. 
 

As always, thank you for your partnership and support of Ohio State students. Have a Scarlet and Great end to the semester and a rejuvenating winter break! 

      

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD  

Senior Vice President for Student Life   
The Ohio State University