Today's Update: Autumn Break

October 6, 2026

Dear Student Life team,

Good news: Autumn Break is right around the corner, and it’s perfectly OK for you to be as happy about that as our students are!  

Next Thursday and Friday, October 15 and16, will serve as an excellent opportunity to pause and take a deep breath. It gives us a little space during an otherwise busy season to reflect, get to some of the projects that have been mounting and take advantage of the quieter campus environment. It’s also perfect for taking some time for your own personal well-being, if you have vacation time to use.  

The work we do isn’t easy. Higher education is greatly rewarding when we see our students thriving, and it can be emotionally draining when we see them struggling. We’ve been going at full speed since the semester began, and even much earlier.   

That’s why taking a little time for yourself is crucial.  
 
I’ll do what I can to help. I’m extending our usual meeting-free Fridays to include both days of Autumn Break, so please do your best to avoid scheduling non-critical meetings those two days. We will also forego High Five Friday message to cut down on email traffic.  

If you have a meeting or task that’s not critical, postpone it. If you are thinking of trying to schedule a meeting because the days look open, don’t. If you have the opportunity to take a wellness moment, do it.  

The semester is half over. Take a deep breath, recharge and use Autumn Break to set yourself up for a strong finish to the calendar year. You’ve earned that Scarlet and Great time to make sure you are supporting your well-being.   

 

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