Faculty / Staff Opportunity

Student loan forgiveness program resources

| Emily Keeler
Ohio State has a new benefit to help alleviate strain and stressors related to student loan debt for eligible campus faculty and staff. As a public service employer, Ohio State employees may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). To help navigate the process and requirements, campus Ohio State employees and their dependents have access to Savi, a resource that helps borrowers lower their payments and reduce student loan debt overall. There are various levels of services provided by Savi at discounted rates or for free for Ohio State employees.
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Faculty and Staff Biometric Screenings for the COP

| Emily Keeler

Biometric Screenings – Back by popular demand!

May 10, 2022

Parks Hall Room 200

Read the directions below on how to sign up. Code is “cop22”.

Additional screenings AND flu shots will be held in October. Stay tuned for more!

Don’t put your health on hold. It’s important to continue preventive care, such as your annual well exam or biometric screening, even in the midst of a pandemic. Enrolled faculty and staff can earn a $25/month premium credit, or up to $40/month with an enrolled spouse, off of employee medical plan contributions by completing a Personal Health and Well-being Assessment (PHA) and a verified Biometric Screening

 

Your verified Biometric Screening, consisting of height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, and blood sugar value (either glucose or A1C), can be completed in one of the following ways.

 

OPTION 1

 

Your values obtained during an annual exam with an OSU or Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC) provider are received by the OSU Health Plan (OSUHP). Once all values are received (height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL and a blood sugar value: glucose or A1c), OSUHP will provide verification that you have a complete biometric screening.

 

o  NOTE: If you complete your exam via Telehealth, not all values can be recorded. After your visit, please reach out to OSUHP to confirm your screening is verified.

 

OSUHP must receive all of your values by December 20, 2022 to count your screening as complete and verified. Some file feeds can take 10-30 days to process. Please plan your well exam/physicals with this in mind and reach out to OSUHP if you have questions about getting your verification in by the deadline.

 

OPTION 2

 

If you see a provider outside of the OSU or COPC network, you may need to have your values submitted by your provider. Please have your provider complete the Provider Form and submit to OSUHP to verify that you have completed a biometric screening with him or her. Forms received after December 31, 2022 will not be processed or accepted.

 

OPTION 3

 

If you complete an on-campus screening*  you will automatically receive credit for completing the verified biometric screening. Due to the pandemic, increased safety protocol and many still working remotely, screening events will be available but limited.

 

·        On May 10th and October 17th,  the OSU Health Plan’s (OSUHP) RN Health Promotion Specialist(s) will be in  Parks Hall 200 to complete complimentary biometric screenings*  for our department. See below for screening registration details.

 

On-Campus biometric screening registration for our department:

If you would like to register for the upcoming biometric health screening event for our department, follow the steps below:

1.        Visit the registration portal here.

2.        Log in with your Ohio State credentials (last name.# and password)

3.        Click “Schedule Appointment or Class”

4.        Select “Biometric Health Screening” as the appointment type.

5.        In the From date box, place 5/10/22.  In the Thru date box, place 10/17/22.

6.        In the “Appointment Code” box type in   COP22   Do NOT copy and paste as this doesn’t always work to activate the code.

7.        To search for an available time, click “Find Appointments or Classes”- This will show only the appointments available for this screening event.

8.        Complete registration to schedule the appointment. If you experience any difficulty, please contact OSUHP Customer Service at 292-4700 with your Appointment Code.

 

Personal Health and Well-being Assessment (PHA)

 

Once you’ve completed a verified Biometric Screening, you will need to complete the PHA (under “Health Check” in your Virgin Pulse account).

 

Once you’ve completed a verified Biometric Screening, your values will be populated into your PHA.

 

 

Confirm Screening & PHA Completion

 

When your verified Biometric Screening and PHA have been processed, it will be reflected in your Virgin Pulse account. To confirm completion, log in to your Virgin Pulse account and select “REWARDS” under the Home tab. When you see a checkmark beside the PHA and screening descriptions, you have completed the requirements to earn the premium credit.

 

 

 

 

Privacy & Participation

 

Participation in YP4H biometric screenings, PHA and the incentive program is completely voluntary. To learn how your personal information is protected, please visit Your Privacy.

 

 

*As a reminder, you are only eligible for one on campus screening per calendar year. If you are unsure of when your last screening took place, please log in to LinktoHealth and click on the “Biometric Health Data” tab to view your history.

Massage for Boosting Immunity with Alysann

| Emily Keeler

Massage for Boosting Immunity with Alysann

 

Thursday, February 24, 2022

6:00 pm

ZOOM – RSVP HERE

 

Grab a partner and join Alysann Jones, an experienced licensed massage therapist with over 17 years of experience, will lead participants in a virtual experience to learn how to massage themselves and others in order to boost immune response. You will gain hands on experience and the class is designed to be fun and informative and no previous experience is necessary. You will learn professional tips on how to give a good massage, what to avoid, as well as how to avoid injuries to yourself and others.

 

Please note, this class is not suitable if you have a compromised immune system, are ill, or have lymphedema. Participants should be aware of their abilities, and assume responsibility for their participation.

 

Participants are encouraged to pair up with a friend or loved one for this event in order to practice the activities in real time.

Upcoming Faculty and Staff Opportunities

| Emily Keeler

OSU Health Plan wellness webinars open for registration Benefits-eligible faculty and staff can explore free wellness programs offered by the OSU Health Plan as a service of Your Plan for Health. Topics relate to healthy eating, active living, emotional well-being and weight management. Upcoming wellness webinars include: 

  • Meal Planning for the Winter Season on Dec. 6
  • Figuring Out Food Labels on Dec. 7
  • Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder on Dec. 9

Visit LinktoHealth for complete details and to register (click Educational Program under Appointments and Classes).Join your fellow Buckeyes for Group Health CoachingJoin your fellow Buckeyes on a similar journey by attending the next series of Group Health Coaching webinars:

  • Recipes, Recipes and More Recipes beginning Dec. 6
  • Mindful Minutes: Simple, Everyday Strategies beginning Dec. 7.

Times and webinar details are available when you register via LinktoHealth (click Group Heath Coaching under Appointments and Classes). Join Asian Pacific Islander Desi American ERG Ohio State’s Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Employee Resource Group (APIDA ERG) cultivates belonging and community by promoting professional and personal development of APIDA members through networking, advancing cultural competency, recruitment and retention, improving visibility of APIDA members and increasing representation in executive leadership. This ERG is supported by the Diversity Council, the Wexner Medical Center and health science colleges, but any employee at the university or medical center can join. Complete the APIDA ERG membership form to join. The group’s first town hall meeting is from 4-5 p.m. today, and will feature senior leaders, expert talks and open dialogue. Register to attend via Zoom. Attend Career Roadmap town hall for staffThe University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) will host a Career Roadmap town hall for staff from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. The event will allow staff the opportunity to submit questions about Career Roadmap to Jeff Risinger, PhD, senior vice president for Talent, Culture and Human Resources. Submit your questions ahead of time when you register to attend the town hall. Questions will also be accepted live during the event. After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the webinar. Live transcription services will be provided. If you can’t attend the event, a recording will be available on the USAC website.

Empower Students to Engage in Wellness with LIVEWELL Classrooms

| Emily Keeler

The pandemic and its continuous uncertainty has brought new and unique challenges for faculty to keep up with the needs of our students. Unfortunately, more students are languishing, struggling with burnout, anxiety, depression and stress now more than ever. However, faculty play a key role in helping our students.

Join us for the LIVEWELL webinar series, which uses evidence-based strategies and resources to empower you and provide the tools needed to combat these issues for your students. Learn how to support students in developing and sustaining resiliency and healthy lifestyle behaviors through incorporating wellness strategies into teaching and learning. Gain the skills needed to help your students perform their best and take care of themselves.

You will also learn how to create a LIVEWELL classroom by adopting a classroom wellness philosophy and how to incorporate wellness strategies in online and in-person learning formats.

This monthly virtual series begins at noon on Wednesday, November 17. For more information about the series, speakers or registration, please visit our website.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Buckeye Wellness with questions.

Free Week at Rec Sports for Faculty and Staff

| Emily Keeler

Student Life Recreational Sports is hosting Free Week for Ohio State faculty and staff Monday, November 29, through Monday, December 6, 2021. All five indoor facilities and the outdoor parks are available for faculty and staff recreation during regular operating hours. Free group fitness classes and fitness equipment orientations will also be available to Free Week participants! Please note masks are always required at the facilities except when swimming. Learn more and sign up for Free Week here.

Beat Michigan Wellness Blitz!

| Emily Keeler

It’s the College of Pharmacy 

Beat Michigan (Wellness) Blitz 

November 16-December 1, 2021 

The rivalry with Michigan and Michigan State are real, and you can get real about your wellness as we celebrate our upcoming games with the “Team Up North”! Remember, every time you participate in a COP wellness event you get a raffle ticket for our end-of-the-semester raffle.  

 

Texting Touchdown!
November 16-December 1, 2021
Sign up for student wellness texts: https://www.remind.com/join/rxwellness 
Sign up for faculty/staff wellness texts: https://www.remind.com/join/bewellcop  

Sign up to receive text messages from our Wellness Team and every day between November 16 and December 1, those who opt in will receive an OSU trivia question. Text your reply back by 6 pm for an entry into the raffle and correct answers get an extra entry. If we get a touchdown for each day (at least six correct answers for every question) be on the lookout for a special treat on December 2 in the Parks Lobby! 

Buckeye Blood Battle
Month of November
During the month of November, Ohio State University and University of Michigan take their rivalry off the field to help save some lives. The two archrivals will be partnering up with their respective blood service organizations to see who can bring in more blood donations leading up to the rivalry game. To help out OHIO STATE, you can volunteer at a blood drive, sponsor a drive, or donate blood! Click on the link below. This year, our goal is 1,500 donations. 
https://www.buckeyebloodosu.com/about 

Make Your Own Buckeye Necklace
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
2:30-4 pm in the Riffe Lobby
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Swing by to make your very own Buckeye Necklace with REAL buckeyes from Ohio’s second largest Buckeye tree. You can make it there or take the supplies with you to make at home. Show your scarlet and gray love! 

Scarlet and Gray Wellness Walk
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Meet at 11:30 in the Riffe Lobby
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Strap on your walking shoes and don your best scarlet and gray as we take a lap around campus! The walk will be approximately 30 minutes. 

Coach’s Coffee
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
8-9:30 am
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Swing us outside the Parks Hall classrooms for coffee, tea, and healthy breakfast treats to take with you or stay and socialize with your fellow COP family. 

Victory Lap
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
11:30 am
Parks 250
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Join us as we celebrate our victory (hopefully) and hold our annual end-of-the-semester wellness raffle. Get your red tickets in by this date to be eligible for the raffle! Due to COVID we will not have a potluck, but light healthy snacks will be available to take with you. 

New safety enhancements for Ohio State students and community members.

| Emily Keeler
 

A suite of safety enhancements for The Ohio State University students and community members is now available as the university continues to pursue ways to strengthen safety on and off campus.

Protecting the campus community and keeping students, faculty, staff and families informed remain our top priorities. The following new tools help add to an existing toolkit of safety resources:

  • Stay Safe, Buckeyes is an online safety class that teaches students how to enhance their own safety through scenario-based exercises. Students can take the interactive course via BuckeyeLearn. Parents and interested community members can watch all 10 videos on YouTube.
    • Classes focus on topics most relevant to students who live and gather off-campus and include crime prevention, crime reporting, when and why the university issues safety notices, mental health, police engagement and the differences between where Ohio State and Columbus police patrol.
  • Portable personal safety devices that students can attach to their backpacks or purses and pull to signal a loud alarm. The Office of Student Life is offering thousands of these devices that can attract attention in the case of an emergency. This is in addition to the nearly 5,000 window and door alarms, safety timers and smoke alarm batteries that have already been distributed to students this year. Students can register for a pickup time online to get one of the devices at the Willie J. Young, Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office in the Ohio Union.
  • Increasing access to Ohio State News Alerts – the new communications tool that offers timely updates to students, faculty and staff ­­­– to parents and families of students. These are separate and distinct from Buckeye Alerts. Instead, these brief, timely updates are designed to provide safety tips and information, health resources, timely traffic information and more.
  • Expanding the Office of Student Life’s Community Ambassador program. Another outcome of the safety task force, ambassadors – students who serve as off-campus advocates and focus on an assigned off-campus area to help promote a safer, engaged and collaborative community ­– is expanding in size and scope.

The university recently expanded Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State into the Short North area along High Street. Program hours run 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and the discounted rides are no longer capped each month.

“These new offerings provide students with additional tools and give parents and families more information about what’s happening around campus,” President Kristina M. Johnson said in an email to the campus community.

Other recent additions include increased private security and mobile lighting and camera systems to support police patrols in the off-campus area.

After the tragic death last October of Ohio State student Chase Meola, President Johnson established the Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being to help identify and implement holistic solutions to safety and well-being in the campus area.

So far, 13 of the task force’s 15 recommendations from the task force have been partially or fully implemented. An overview of safety measures and actions, and how the university has communicated about safety issues, can be seen here via the Department of Public Safety.

 

Safety Spotlight: RAVE Guardian

| Emily Keeler
Never walk alone again. Download Rave Guardian, a free safety app for students, faculty and staff that can enhance safety as you travel to and from campus. In this week’s Safety Spotlight, OSUPD’s Lt. Marjorie Rizalvo shows users how to use the app to select friends or family to follow them virtually via GPS tracking as they travel. Watch the video to get started.