We are in the home stretch of the spring semester! Be kind to yourself as you navigate your way from here through finals week. Take a little time each week to connect to a few people or activities that bring you joy. Reach out if you need help or support, we are here for you.

Did you know that in addition to Dr. Levstek, our embedded counselor, students have access to many additional mental health resources? We are working on compiling these resources into one convenient place, but in the meantime, if you would like to talk about the many other services offered on campus or in the community, feel free to contact Jen Bennett.

As new leaders are elected for your student organization this spring, don’t forget to provide transition information so your group is set up for future success! For tips that include easy steps and checklists for how to transition your officer teams, visit https://activities.osu.edu/involvement/student_organizations/resources/ and scroll down to the “Leadership Transitions” section. Jen Bennett will hold an orientation for new student group leaders over the summer, date and time are to be determined.

Our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts have been plentiful this month. We celebrated Black History Month (February), and Women’s History Month (March) by elevating some of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni on social media. During February we also hosted a lunchtime discussion about the Brown Eye/Blue Eye experience.

In March, we are excited by the Women with White Coats event with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Grover hosted by Poonam Panda (Class of 2022) as part of this month’s celebration. In the classroom, the Opt 1s had a discussion titled “Race and Racism as a Social Determinant of Health” and the Opt 2s completed their work in the Interprofessional Education Experience (IPE) about race and health care disparities. The college’s Committee on Inclusion and Diversity (CID) has been working hard on developing a diversity strategic plan.

The summer I-DOC program (Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers) is celebrating its 15th year and since its inception, has shepherded 80 underrepresented students into colleges of optometry nationwide. I-DOC will take place virtually in June and the application is now available at https://u.osu.edu/idoc/. Please spread the word to interested underrepresented students!

Finally, please support our students, faculty and staff who identify as Asian Pacific Islander (API) as they navigate their lives amid acts of violence against Asian Americans and Asian immigrants.

It’s that time again! Please log into BuckeyeLink to complete your financial responsibility statement so that you can be enrolled in summer and fall courses. Thanks!

• For the latest university news, information, and resources related to COVID-19, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/current-students
• CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
• Student organizations can now hold small in-person gatherings of 10 or less with masking and social distancing. The university has asked that food is not consumed during on or off-campus in-person student organization gatherings. If you would like to provide pre-packaged food “to-go,” this is fine, but food cannot be consumed during your gathering. If you are organizing an on- or off-campus in-person gathering where you are providing food to-go, it is your responsibility to make sure the food is not consumed at the event.
• You may reserve study space in in Fry Hall for socially distanced small group study (groups of 10 or less). Please reserve your space ahead of time at https://go.osu.edu/reserve-fry-hall-study-space.
• Please remember to social distance while in the lunchrooms, classrooms or other common spaces.
• Contact Dr. Nixon directly if you have been exposed to COVID, are exhibiting symptoms, or have tested positive. Although Dr. Nixon will notify your faculty and attendings if you need to quarantine, it is important that you also follow all clinic absence notification procedures and personally notify your attending or instructor of your absence.
• 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 Dr. Nixon before entering the buildings.
• Thank you for not bringing visitors into the buildings.

Jen Bennett, Shawn Gilbert, Candace Johnson, and Becca Roby continue to work remotely until further notice, and we are available for all of your student service needs. You can reach us via e-mail or phone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We can also set up Zoom meetings if you would like to talk in person. Contact us with questions or if you just need to talk.

Don’t know who to ask? Start here!

Jen Bennett, 614-292-2973, bennett.1075@osu.edu
Shawn Gilbert, 614-247-6426, gilbert.351@osu.edu
Candace Johnson, 614-292-4247, johnson.5380@osu.edu
Becca Roby, 614-292-0497, roby.77@osu.edu

Dean Zadnik, 614-580-7267
Dr. Earley, 614-519-6435
Dr. Nixon, 614-537-5367

Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to work remotely until further notice and remains available as a consultative resource. He offers initial meetings by phone with new clients and follow-up consultations via Zoom to new and existing clients, as needed, as long as normal operations are suspended. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek directly via e-mail at levstek.4@osu.edu. In addition, OSU’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) number, 614-292-5766, is available for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.