Office of Student Life

In a Nutshell

December 4, 2024

Dear Partners in Student Success,  

We are nearly to the end of the autumn 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 and Well-being Support over Break  

  • Bowl Tour 

  • BuckeyeThon 

  • REACH© 

  • Award  

  • Voting 

  • Toy Drive 
     

Mental Health and Well-Being Support Over Winter Break 
Winter break can be a time of rest, relaxation and celebration for students, and it can also come with its own challenges to mental health and well-being. For example, students may deal with loneliness, complex family dynamics, grief of celebrating holidays without loved ones or impacts of current events. Multiple resources are available for students who are travelling for the holidays, no matter where they’ll be in the world.  

  • Let’s Talk is a free, confidential resource for students to meet virtually with CCS counselor. These 15–20-minute, informal consultations are a great option for students who may not need ongoing counseling, but who could benefit from one-on-one support and consultation. 

  • Uwill provides free access to 3-5 sessions of teletherapy and is available to all current Ohio State students. Students can request a therapist based on their unique needs and preferences (focus area, gender, language, ethnicity), at a time that best fits their schedule. 

  • Several self-guided resources are available on-demand for students to work on wellness skills at their own pace. 

Bowl Tour 
The Buckeyes are gearing up for potential post-season play and you could be, too!  The Office of Student Life will again offer travel packages for students, faculty, staff and families to cheer on the Buckeyes in post-season play. Sign up on the bowl tour website to receive information as soon as it becomes available. 
 
BuckeyeThon 
It's not too late for students, faculty and staff to Join the Movement to find an end to pediatric cancer and blood disorders. BuckeyeThon's late registration will run all the way up to the event - but join now for your chance to maximize your fundraising and help us Make Miracles for the kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital. By raising $250, you can join us on February 8 for the annual Dance Marathon event to celebrate the year of fundraising. Every dollar raised by Team Members goes directly to Nationwide Children's Hospital, helping provide critical care and support to patients and their families. Visit go.osu.edu/BT to join today, and please feel free to share this information with any students and staff you think might be interested! Questions? Reach out to BuckeyeThon@osu.edu. 
 
REACH© 
REACH© is an in-person suicide prevention gatekeeper training intended to provide general information about how to identify suicide risk and how to respond to those who may be experiencing distress. A 90-minute certifiable training experience, REACH© includes important information about suicide, interactive dialogue and role play. There are REACH© training sessions offered for staff, faculty, graduate and professional students. Learn more online about a REACH© session. 
 
Award 
Student Life’s Scarlet and Gray Financial program is a Compass Award honoree for 2024 by the State Treasurer’s office. The annual recognition program commends organizations, programs and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment. The award commends the program for its peer-to-peer approach and for helping students develop goals, create spending plans, and establish next steps to achieve greater financial stability and success. More information on the Compass Awards is online. 
 
Voting 
Ohio State, led by Student Life’s OSU Votes, has been named a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The designation honors the intentional work done as an institution in nonpartisan democratic engagement to increase student voter engagement. OSU Votes has also received an award from Student Learn Students Vote (SLSV) for Advancing Student Success and Retention. 
 
Toy Drive 
Student Life is coordinating a toy drive for students at the United Schools Network Elementary schools in Columbus. Last year we collected more than 500 toys for families to pick out and wrap for the children in their lives, and we invite you to join us in our 2024 effort. You can purchase new, unwrapped toys for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Because the families will be wrapping the gifts after they select them, wrapping paper and supplies are also needed. A wish list can be found online. Collection bins are in the Senior Vice President’s suite on the 3rd floor of the Ohio Union (3034) and at 600 Lincoln Tower. The drive will end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.  
 
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