During February, we celebrate Black History Month, which is recognized in the U.S. as a time to recognize the achievements of Black Americans. Throughout the month, we will highlight some of our “eye-conic” alumni who were/are difference-makers in optometry. I hope you will take time to read their stories on social media and reflect on their experiences, after all, Black History is American History, and we are all proud of their achievements.

I hope you all will join us for our discussion of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, on Wednesday, February 16 at noon. Whether you read the book or watched the movie, participate in our discussion – all are welcome! I will send a Zoom link as time draws nearer. This will be one of many opportunities this year to learn together and engage in dialogue about race, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

Finally, if you are a busy student (if?), but want to make a difference this month, some of our African American students have asked that everyone support Black-owned restaurants and other businesses. In addition, I will continue to update you about the DEI offerings sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Multicultural Center here at Ohio State. One of the many benefits of being part of a larger university community are the multitude of resources and programs available. You can check them out at https://mcc.osu.edu/events.aspx.

Please share with your networks! The Ohio State University College of Optometry’s Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers (I-DOC) is a free four-day program that introduces underrepresented undergraduate college students to the profession of optometry. The purpose of I-DOC is to improve and promote diversity in optometry by cultivating a diverse student body. This year’s program will be held virtually. Applications are due by April 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Details are available at https://u.osu.edu/idoc/

This semester, we will retire our practice opportunities network website and move all optometry job postings to the university’s job posting system called Handshake. Handshake also includes postings for part-time or summer jobs, which can be especially helpful for identifying opportunities in the summer between first and second year. The training will be held via Zoom, so please RSVP by February 17 at https://go.osu.edu/HandshakeRSVP. You will receive a Zoom link via e-mail after your RSVP is received. The training will be recorded and sent to all students.

University Libraries has partnered with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s ACCESS Collaborative Program to create a new Family Zone in Thompson Library. Located on the first floor near the circulation desk, the Family Zone is a comfortable, welcoming space for parents pursuing a college education at Ohio State to study and access library resources. It includes a designated computer for the parent, seating for children and a small collection of children’s books that can be enjoyed in Thompson Library.

February 1 was the priority deadline to submit your FAFSA for the 2022-2023 academic year and be considered for all need based aid. However, you can still submit after this deadline, and must do so if you are planning to use Federal loans next year. Also, this is a good time to update or create your ScholarshipUniverse (https://osu.scholarshipuniverse.com/) profile. This is a scholarship matching tool used to match you with OSU and external scholarships for which you might qualify.

Jen Bennett, 614-292-2973, bennett.1075@osu.edu
Candace Johnson, 614-292-4247, johnson.5380@osu.edu
Becca Roby, 614-292-0497, roby.77@osu.edu

Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to be available to students via teletherapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and also will be available for in-person sessions on Mondays in Fry Hall 539. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek directly via e-mail at levstek.4@osu.edu. In addition, all Counseling and Consultation Service counseling resources remain available, and that office can be reached at 614-292-5766 for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.

• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19: Students can be tested with an order from a Student Health Services medical provider or a referral from the contact tracing team. For instructions on how to obtain an order from a Student Health Services medical provider, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/information/current-students/testing/symptomatic-testing”>https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/information/current-students/testing/symptomatic-testing.
• If you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are asymptomatic: Reach out to the contact tracing team at 614-688-2273 or ContactTracing@osu.edu. You will be contacted, interviewed and given appropriate guidelines to follow.
• If you obtain a positive test OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY, you must report your positive test to the OSU Case Investigation Contact Tracing Team (CICTT) at 614-688-2273 or email ContactTracing@osu.edu.
• Any positive COVID test also must be reported to the college so that patient care, laboratory and teaching schedules can be appropriately managed. It is your responsibility to follow all absence notification procedures and personally notify your course or lab instructor of your absence. For clinic absences, e-mail your attending, service chief, and Kristen Campbell at campbell.2295@osu.edu. For EWG absences, e-mail Jeff Rohlf at rohlf.4@osu.edu.
• Please read all e-mail messages from the university carefully and follow all safety and testing protocols.
• For the latest university news, information, and resources related to COVID-19, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/current-students
• Current university mask requirements and locations where you can obtain masks on campus: https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/personal-protection-hygiene
• Current university event and gathering requirements can be found at: https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/events