Office of Student Life

In A Nutshell: February 8, 2024

February 8, 2024

Dear Partners in Student Success:    

I hope your new year and spring semester are off to a Scarlet and Great start. I look forward to continuing our work together to support Ohio State students in 2024 and beyond. Below are a few updates I hope you find helpful.   

In this issue: 

  • Supportive Conversations 

  • Naloxone Training 

  • Buckeye Family Connection 

  • Second-year Transformational Experience Program 

  • Student Employment Experience 

  • Events and Conferences 

  • Leadership Education Needs Assessment  

  • TEDxOhioState University 

 

Supportive Conversations 
Many times when we think about health and well-being, it’s natural to think about our own current state. However, in these challenging times, it’s also important for students to consider how they can support their friends, even when their views are different. This week I shared with students a set of tips on how to show support to friends in the face of divisive events. 

Carry Naloxone. Save a Life! 
The "Carry Naloxone. Save a Life" training from the Student Life Student Wellness Center provides information on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, administer the opioid overdose reversal drug, Naloxone, and educate the importance of harm reduction and its concepts. Participants will leave with a Naloxone kit and Fentanyl test strips at no cost. Staff, faculty and students are invited to register to take the Naloxone training, or to request a session for a group using the Student Wellness Center Presentation Request Form.

Buckeye Family Connection 
Student Life Parent and Family Relations recently launched the Buckeye Family Connection (BFC) - a new communications tool to enhance outreach and engagement with families of Ohio State students. BFC features a wide array of specialized family communities based on student demographics, college/school enrollment, and other academic and extracurricular interests. Ohio State staff can utilize BFC to create and deliver targeted content to these family communities, reinforcing messaging being delivered to students. You can watch a webinar on BFC online. Contact Adam Specht at specht.22@osu.edu with any questions.

Second-year Transformational Experience Program 
The Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) is currently recruiting first-year students to join the program for the 2024-2025 academic year. STEP is a great opportunity for students to build community, form a relationship with a mentor and pursue a transformational project. If you work with first-year students, please encourage them to indicate their interest in STEP during the housing reselection process this month. Students can learn more about the program by attending an upcoming STEP information session. For questions, please contact step@osu.edu.     

Student Employment Experience 
The Student Employment Experience (SEE) program aims to provide students with meaningful work experiences through their student employment through intentional reflection and professional development. SEE does this by providing training, support and resources for supervisors of student employees to give them the tools to support their student employees. Any supervisor of students on campus is invited to join the SEE program. You can find more information and sign up for SEE onboarding online or by contacting see@osu.edu. 

Events and Conferences 
Events and Conferences in the Office of Student Life is the new one-stop shop for holding exceptional events, meetings and conferences on the Columbus campus. Services include expert guidance for venue availability, event planning, space reservations, audiovisual services, summer conference housing and catering, and are available for our students, university and external clients. This new department covers the Ohio Union, North District Event Spaces, Recreational Sports and outdoor spaces around the Columbus campus. More information about events and conferences is online. 

Leadership Education Needs Assessment 
The Center for the Study of Student Life has released a new and improved version of the Leadership Education Needs Assessment. It’s fast, easy and free. All students are encouraged to complete LENA to learn more about their own leadership capacities, as well as resources to continue to develop leadership skills. Visit go.osu.edu/LENA to learn more and for students to take the assessment.

TEDxOhioStateUniversity 
Looking for a way to help your students be inspired and learn in a new way? Consider telling them about TEDxOhioStateUniversity, hosted by one of Ohio State’s extraordinary student organizations. Tickets are on sale now, so check out the details at the TEDx website.   

As always, thank you for your partnership and support of Ohio State students.    

  

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD   
Senior Vice President for Student Life   
The Ohio State University