Office of Student Life

In a Nutshell

September 8, 2026

Dear partners in supporting students,    

Happy new academic year! I hope it is off to a Scarlet and Great start for you and the students we all serve together. Throughout the academic year, I will once again send you periodic updates and information about resources and services offered by the Office of Student Life. I hope you find this newsletter helpful and please always feel free to reach out to me with questions or if there is any way I can assist you and the students you support.   

In this issue: 

  • Buckeye Commons 

  • Buck-I-SERV 

  • Campus Culture of Care Challenge 

  • Counseling and Consultation Service Resources 

  • Disability Services Partnership Open House 

  • Doc’s Download 

  • Guiding Students to Wellness 

  • Recovery is Spoken Here  

  • Safety 

 

Buckeye Commons 
With the University-wide Career and Internship Fair coming up next week, Buckeye Commons has several ways to support students to feel more confident and prepared to make a stronger impression on recruiters. Career Studio for undergraduates is a drop-in space where trained Student Peer Career Coaches provide quick, practical career guidance. No appointment is needed. Graduate and Professional students can take advantage of Buckeye Commons Workshops or schedule an individual appointment with a Career Coach through Buckeye Commons Career Coaching Appointments.

Buck-I-SERV
The Office of 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 focused on community service. Winter trips will travel from January 2-9, 2027. Advisors can be faculty, staff, graduate 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 online. Applications will be accepted until September 27. Please contact Buck-I-Serv@osu.edu for more information. Buck-I-SERV is also accepting applications from student participants for winter break trips. They can visit the Buck-I-SERV webpage or contact Buck-I-Serv@osu.edu for more information. 
 
Campus Culture of Care Challenge 
Join the Campus Culture of Care Challenge. Any student, staff or faculty member can attend three of the five Ohio State Suicide Prevention Program’s signature events this academic year and earn a prize in April. These events help strengthen our Buckeye community in creating a culture of care where suicide prevention is a shared campus responsibility. A list of eligible events and how to track your attendance can be found online. 
 
Counseling and Consultation Service Resources 
Faculty and staff are often among the first people students turn to when they are struggling. While it is not your responsibility to provide counseling or have all the answers, you can play an important role by listening, expressing concerns and connecting students with appropriate support resources. Students interested in individual or group counseling through Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) can schedule a phone screening through the CCS website. Students may also schedule a 15-minute Let's Talk consultation, which provides an opportunity to speak briefly with a counselor about a specific concern or learn more about available services. After hours, students can call 614-292-5766 to speak with an on-call counselor. Faculty and staff members seeking consultation about a student’s mental health concern can also contact CCS. A counselor will return consultation calls within 24 business hours, Monday through Friday. Additional guidance, resources and tips for supporting students are available on the CCS Faculty and Staff Resources webpage. 

Disability Services Partnership Open House 
Student Life Disability Services supports nearly 9,000 students, and we know that student success happens through strong campus partnerships. We’re opening our doors to faculty, academic and staff partners for a morning of connection and conversation on Thursday, October 22, from 9-11 a.m. at our facility in 098 Baker Hall. You can RSVP online at SLDS Campus Partnership Open House Invite. 
 
Doc’s Download   
The new season of Doc’s Download, the Podcast Edition is underway. In the first program of this academic year, I responded to voicemail questions from various first-year students about life at Ohio State. Listen at go.osu.edu/docspodcast or watch at go.osu.edu/docsyoutube. 
 
Guiding Students to Wellness 
Empower yourself to support student well-being through Guiding Students to Wellness, a comprehensive, two-hour virtual workshop tailored for faculty, staff and graduate and professional students on Friday, September 18, 10 a.m.-noon in the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC). Gain practical skills in motivational interviewing and referral best practices while exploring Student Wellness Center resources and services. Register online at go.osu.edu/fall26gs2wellness. 
 
Recovery is Spoken Here  
The Student Wellness Center's Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), in partnership with the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery (HECAOD), invites faculty and staff members to an upcoming virtual Recovery is Spoken Here (RISH) training on Friday, September 11, 10 a.m.-noon. This session provides participants with a high-level overview of essential topics including the basics of addiction and recovery, insights on addiction and recovery on college campuses, how to use recovery-friendly language, connecting students with the CRC and finding specific ways to get involved as a Recovery Ally. Register online at go.osu.edu/rishfall26. 

Safety 
The safety of all Buckeyes is Ohio State’s top priority, and Student Life works closely with university partners including the Department of Public Safety on a comprehensive safety plan. DPS recently sent out a link with some safety resources and programs for both on and off campus. In addition, the two departments collaborated on a Party Smart message last week that went to all Columbus undergraduate students before the first football game. 
 
 
I value our partnership in supporting students so very much. Please always feel free to reach out to me with questions or if there is any way I can assist you. Go Bucks!  

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD     

Senior Vice President for Student Life      
The Ohio State University