Office of Student Life

In a Nutshell

March 25, 2025

Dear Partners in Student Success:      

Spring Break has come and gone, so now we are in the race to the finish, with finals, deadlines and Commencement quickly approaching. Please know how much I appreciate our partnership in supporting Ohio State students, and I hope the following information is helpful to you. 
 
In this edition:  

  • Mental Health Resources 

  • Out of the Darkness Campus Walk 

  • Sibs, Kids and Family Day 

  • Disability Services Awards 

  • Recovery Spoken Here  

  • Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit 

 

Mental Health Resources 

Students experience a wide variety of concerns during their time at college, and the end of the academic year can be a particularly stressful time. At Ohio State there are many resources available to support positive mental health. In fact, there is support available 24/7. Refer students to this link for resources available to meet mild, moderate and severe concerns. 

Out of the Darkness Campus Walk   
The annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk takes place on Thursday, April 10, from 6–8 p.m. across Ohio State’s Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Marion and Wooster campuses. The event is a journey of remembrance, hope and support, and offers a way to unite as a campus and community to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental illness have affected our lives and our loved ones. Join Student Life’s Ohio State Suicide Prevention Program and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help make suicide prevention a shared campus responsibility. Registration and more information about the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk can be found online.

Sibs, Kids and Family Day  
Student Life's Parent and Family Relations invites current Ohio State students and their families to join us for Sibs, Kids and Family Day on Saturday, March 29. The day features dozens of activities for all ages hosted by various campus offices and academic units. Online registration will close on Wednesday, March 26, at noon ET. To register, visit the Sibs, Kids and Family Day information page for instructions and a link to the registration form. On-site registration will be available on Saturday, March 29. Included on the list of activities this year is a self-guided tour of Ohio Stadium. During the tour, students and families will have access to several areas that are normally restricted on game day, such as the press box, suites and the field. Other unique experiences during the day include ice skating, a chemistry demo show, tours of the Orton bell tower and more.

Disability Services Awards   
Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) is now accepting nominations for their annual awards. SLDS honors exemplary faculty, staff and student efforts each year. This initiative highlights the efforts of our university’s community to create access and universal design on campus. If you have someone that fits the criteria for The Outstanding Student Advocate Award, The Celena Irby Award, Dick Maxwell Award or The Patricia M. Carlton Award, please fill out the online SLDS nomination form by Friday, March 28. 

Recovery Spoken Here 
The Office of Student Life, Student Wellness Center's Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), in partnership with the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery (HECAOD), is offering their Recovery is Spoken Here educational module for faculty and staff members on Thursday, April 10, from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Dave Griner Room of the RPAC. The 1.5-hour session seeks to foster an environment where students in or seeking recovery from substance misuse feel accepted by their peers, are empowered to live authentically, feel comfortable asking for help and are celebrated by the Ohio State community. You can register for Recovery is Spoken Here at go.osu.edu/rish_spring2025.

Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit  
Ohio State is once again hosting the Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit on Thursday, August 7. Registration is open now through June 20. Organizers are seeking dynamic programs to be presented live that focus on prevention education, innovative resources, best practices and interdisciplinary strategies to eliminate hazing at college campuses. Program proposals may be broad or specific and need to focus on best practices and tangible action items that assist attendees in implementing anti-hazing initiatives on their campuses. The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, March 28. More information on registration and a program proposal are online at go.osu.edu/OhioAntiHazingSummit.

All my best wishes to you for a productive, healthy and successful end to the semester.


Melissa S. Shivers, PhD    

Senior Vice President for Student Life     
The Ohio State University