We hope your spring semester is off to a fantastic start! If you are looking to learn more about how to practice mindfulness to reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing, please contact Jen Bennett (bennett.1075@osu.edu) for access to an asynchronous mindfulness video series you can try on your own time at your own pace. Dr. Maryanna Klatt from the College of Medicine, creator of the Wexner Medical Center’s Mindfulness in Motion class, has developed these videos with managing COVID-related stress in mind. Learn more about Dr. Klatt at https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/departments/family-medicine/team/faculty/maryanna-klatt-phd.

The University is offering two new resources this spring to help students make connections. First is the Buckeye Connections Cohort program, which will connect groups of graduate and professional students from across campus together for informal, small group conversations. Register for a Buckeye Connections Cohort at https://go.osu.edu/buckeyeconnections. Also, the Counseling and Consultation Service is offering a workshop about how to maintain social connection and belonging during COVID. Learn more at https://ccs.osu.edu/time-and-change/social-connection-and-belonging-during-covid.

Do you know an outstanding leader at Ohio State who should be recognized for their hard work? Applications are now open for the 2021 Student Life Leadership Awards. Over the past 61 years, Ohio State has recognized hundreds of students, advisors and organizations who demonstrate leadership, collaboration and a commitment to the Ohio State community. You can nominate yourself or someone else! Applications close Feb. 1.

https://activities.osu.edu/involvement/leadership_development/leadership_awards

There is a lot going on in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. At the beginning of January our students met to discuss So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, and our faculty and staff met to discuss Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Implicit Bias training for our Opt 1 students will be completed by the end of January – meaning that all our current students will have been trained. Our Opt 2 students are engaged in a new Interprofessional Education Program called Personal and Collective Responsibility for Health Equity: Anti-Racism in Action, developing solutions to disparities in health care. February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada and has been designated as the month to remember contributions of people of the African diaspora. Be on the watch throughout the month, since we will be highlighting some of our African American alumni, faculty/staff, and current students on social media

Did you know that the AOA hosts an online career center that can help jump start your job search? Members of the Class of 2021 can be entered in a give-away for a variety of prizes for getting-started with AOAExcel. Learn more at https://www.aoa.org/practice/aoaexcel/career-launch-giveaway.

University Libraries’ locations are opening Jan. 25. You can find more information on locations and hours at https://library.osu.edu/locations. For more information on the Health Sciences Library hours, visit https://hsl.osu.edu/news/librarys-phased-reopening.

Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety recognizes that safety has many different meanings and may include someone’s physical security, their overall well-being, having a sense of belonging and more. With that in mind, they are unveiling an updated and more comprehensive safety resources webpage that includes apps, classes and other tools from across the university and nearby neighborhoods.

https://dps.osu.edu/resources

• For more information about the Statewide curfew, Ohio Public Health Advisory System – Franklin County Alert Level 4, Franklin County and Columbus Health Advisory, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/statewide-curfew-ohio-public-health-advisory-system-franklin-county-alert-level-4-franklin-county.
• Student clubs, organizations, and SocialEyes leaders should continue to hold all meetings and events virtually until further notice.
• Contact Dean Zadnik or Dr. Nixon directly if you have been exposed to COVID, are exhibiting symptoms, or have been tested.
• Hold each other (yes, even your faculty and staff!) accountable for appropriate mask wear, the Ohio State Wellness app features an article about how to have a conversation about masks with a fellow Buckeye.
• If you are going to be in the buildings, please remember your daily health reporting. If you do not receive a green screen, please contact Dean Zadnik or Dr. Nixon before entering the buildings.
• Thank you for not bringing visitors into the buildings.