This year, the Class of 2025 will have a new opportunity to extend their orientation experience and set themselves up for success in optometry school. Our new pre-orientation program, called Buckeye Launch, is open and optional to all incoming OPT I students. The program is strongly recommended for non-science majors, non-traditional students, students changing professions or re-entering school after two or more years out of college, members of underrepresented groups and first-generation students. Participants will learn how to leverage the higher-level learning, teamwork and self-care skills necessary for success in optometry school. The program also allows participants to create a connection to the college community, as well as experience the Columbus community, The Ohio State University campus, and the people and resources who form their initial support system and foundation for success. Forty-five members of the Class of 2025 will join us for Buckeye Launch beginning Monday, August 9 through Friday, August 13. We look forward to meeting them!

Please contact Jen Bennett at bennett.1075@osu.edu if you would like to volunteer with Buckeye Launch (August 9-13) or the Class of 2025 orientation program (August 18-23).

Congratulations to our new student organization officers for the 2021-2022 academic year! Here are a few reminders as you get started in your new roles:

• Please see the Tuesday, June 15 e-mail from Jen Bennett for updated meeting and event guidance for the remainder of the summer. We will share updated guidance for the fall as soon as we have it, however if you would like to start thinking about or planning fall events, we can begin to talk about what you may need to consider for your safety plans, etc.
• Jen will offer a live online training for new student organization officers in July. Stay tuned for a date and time.
• If you have not yet transferred your bank account access to new officers, please take care of this as soon as possible.
• We plan to host a club fair experience for new students and anyone else who would like to attend this fall. We will share more information about a date/time/location once we know more about fall event safety guidance.

Visit the Experience Columbus website for ideas https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/

• For the latest university news, information, and resources related to COVID-19, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/current-students
• Please refer to the e-mail from Dean Zadnik on Monday, June 14 containing updated mask and distancing guidance for the college.
• CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
• 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.
• 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 throughout the summer and are planning a full-time return to the office for the fall semester. Details will be announced as soon as plans are solidified. Meanwhile, we are still available for all of your student service needs. You can reach us via e-mail or phone from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. We can also set up Zoom meetings if you would like to talk face to face. Jen Bennett is also available for in-person meetings by appointment over the summer months. 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, Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) number, 614-292-5766, is available for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.

Happy Summer Everyone!

The 15th Anniversary of our I-DOC program (Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers) begins Monday, June 21. As of today, over 80 I-DOC alumni have matriculated into 16 different schools and colleges of optometry nationwide – with Ohio State being the biggest beneficiary. We are excited to welcome over 40 students into our four-day virtual program this year, and we are grateful for all of our alumni, faculty, staff, and students who dedicate time to this endeavor because it diversifies our pool of applicants. If you have a diverse pool, it is more likely to have a diverse student body.

We are also planning our first Buckeye Launch program. As Jen Bennett noted above, the program is inclusive of all students and strongly recommended for our non-science majors, non-traditional students, students changing professions or re-entering school after two or more years out of college, members of underrepresented groups and first-generation students. Buckeye Launch will help our incoming students begin their Ohio State Optometry experience on more equitable footing.

Finally, I hope you will continue your own journey as we learn to create a more inclusive environment for everyone. We have a discussion about LGBTQIA+ and how to be make your office more welcoming for others. And this summer I wanted to select a book that discusses how racism affects all of us – regardless of race. I hope you will join us! The important dates and times are shown below:

• Wednesday, June 23 at noon, LGBTQIA+ 101 with Ashley Hill
• Book Club: Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
  • Wednesday, June 30 at noon, part 1 discussion (chapters 1-5)
  • Thursday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m., part 2 discussion (chapters 6-10)