Today's Update: Thursday, August 1, 2024
August 1, 2024
Dear Student Life team,
One of the reasons I am so proud of our organization is for our dedication to continuous improvement, including operational and structural effectiveness. All of these efforts consistently allow us opportunities to pause, analyze our operations, consider the future and make adjustments that are in the best interest of our organization and, ultimately, Ohio State students.
That said, I am pleased to share a series of organizational changes that are outcomes from some of this work. The formal effective date for these changes is August 11, 2024, though it is important to note that the actual transition and implementation phases will take place over the coming weeks and months:
- Student Life’s Risk and Emergency Management (REM) department will transition the team’s primary focus to be on comprehensive emergency management including preparedness, incident response, education including hazing prevention, threat assessment, supporting students’ freedom of expression rights, business continuity, employee safety initiatives and hazards planning. As part of this transition, the REM team will collaborate with relevant partners to develop and advance a future staffing plan that will enable the expansion of scope.
- As part of this focus, Student Life’s Threat Assessment functions will transition to the REM team, including coordination of the Consultation and Assessment Team (CAT), student organization risk and safety support, training and preparedness.
- Jaylen Lindsey, Student Organization Risk Reduction Specialist, will join the REM team.
- In support of these changes and consistent with Student Life’s ongoing efforts to identify opportunities for more effective structural alignment, the following functions, currently housed within REM, will transition to other departments:
- Student Life’s Access Control and Physical Security portfolio will transition to the BuckID team.
- Michael Rengers and Paul O’Leary will join the BuckID Operations team.
- Student Life’s Video Surveillance Hardware Maintenance and Support will transition to Student Life Technology Service’s Specialized Workplace Services team.
- Zach Redecker will join the Specialized Workplace Services Team
To reiterate, as with any transition, relevant leadership team members will be operationalizing these changes over the coming weeks and months, and I encourage everyone involved to be as supportive as possible, including asking questions, offering suggestions and sharing relevant information.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to being the very best organization we can be, which will mean that we will grow, develop, change and look different over time. I acknowledge that change isn’t always easy or fast, but I do hope you join me in being excited about the future, and please let me know if you have questions or ideas.
As always, thank you for all the many ways you support Ohio State students and our team members in their ability to engage, learn and thrive at Ohio State and beyond. You are Scarlet and Great!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University