Seven Ways to Stay Involved: Campus & Community

Well Buckeyes, it’s been a rollercoaster since the last time we checked in with one another. The Office of Student Life and Diversity and Inclusion miss seeing all of you and hosting events on campus. As you may know, our annual International Festival is now moving online! Check our Events tab to see when we’re hosting online Diversity events like International Festival and Diversity Bingo!

As for these unprecedented times, we’re all having to adjust to a different kind of life. It may seem scary and gloomy, but Ohio State Marion still has a lot of resources like our Mental Health and Wellness Counselors Leslie Beary.4 and Ellen Thomas.1159 who are still available for online appointments. Email them to set up an appointment and remember, it’s okay to not be okay.

With all that said, it’s so sad to be apart, but we’ve complied a list of some things you can do during these times to help pass the time, stay involved in the community, and Marion campus.

  1. Participate in online programming
    The semester isn’t over yet, and neither is programming! Vote for the best Ice Cream Flavor (a la bracket you may have seen in the Student Center), participate in Enneagram Zoom classes to learn more about yourself and others, play Diversity Bingo with your friends online, or learn more about different cultures and Cook with Kathleen!
  2. Write a letter to patients in nursing homes 
    Due to the restrictions on visitation in Nursing Homes, there are several residents that don’t have a familiar face to comfort them while they’re either rehabilitating from surgeries or placed for long term care. Through outreach coordinated by Emily Creasap, students, faculty, and staff can write or create greeting cards, drawings (which can involve kids at home), or a quote for inspiration. Check out our Involvement During COVID-19 Tab for more information and more outreach opportunities.
  3. Take up a new hobby 
    Not sure what to do when you finish your homework? Get crafty and make some Ohio State inspired things like Buckeye Necklaces (if you have some Buckeyes available), keychains, or look to Pinterest for some fun crafts to make scarlet and gray! Or, you can take up painting, knitting, needle point, learn how to cook your favorite meal or bake your favorite cookies, start doing yoga, or pick up your high school instrument and start playing again!
  4. Learn how to sew and make masks for others
    With new guidelines to wear masks and low supplies for everyone, especially health care workers, learn how to make masks and give them away to people who really need them!
  5. Go grocery shopping for people who are more at risk
    Now that only a limited number of people can be in a store at one time and restrictions on one person per family going in, take some time to go grocery shopping for people who are more at risk or have a hard time getting out of the house. They greatly appreciate it, I promise. Just remember to be careful and maintain CDC standards for social distancing.
  6. Leave meals on neighbor’s and family members porches
    Did that baking or cooking hobby work out for you? Spread your new talent with members of your community or family by leaving them some food at their door so they have one less thing to worry about that day.
  7. Take time to clean up a nice study space and submit it to The Student Story!
    A lot of people have been moving back to their parents house or having to take the time to set up a better study space in their own apartments or homes and we want to see them! If you want to share your cool study space, reach out to us on Instagram or email alexander.967 with the Subject “Newsletter Study Space” and include pictures, your preferred name and pronouns, and a little paragraph about what makes your space special or cool!