Notes from a Fellow Buckeye

Dear Buckeyes,

The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are foundational to Ohio State and our land-grant mission. We are committed to a safe and welcoming campus, a comprehensive and inclusive education, and a truly anti-racist community for all.

We are proud of and celebrate the diversity and richness of our community at Ohio State every day. One of the ways we pursue inclusive excellence on our campuses is through celebrating cultural awareness months with additional resources and programming that elevate understanding and awareness throughout the year.

In January, we honored Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, and we are celebrating United Black World Month now. In March, we will recognize Women’s History Month.

In doing so, we must continue to recognize and work against the discrimination and harassment that too many in our state, nation and world are still experiencing today.

That’s why we strongly support Governor Mike DeWine and Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner as they lead a statewide effort urging collective action to address instances of antisemitism on college campuses.

Ohio State confronts racism and racial inequities through education, scholarship, research, and numerous programs and initiatives. Throughout the academic year, units across the university conduct cultural and intercultural engagement opportunities, including workshops, programs, classes and more. Within both the Office of Student Life’s Multicultural Center and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, there are a number of constituent-based cohorts that provide students an opportunity to build community and a sense of belonging.

Your time here at Ohio State should be flush with intellectual challenge, personal growth and joy. Part of that includes meeting people from different backgrounds and perspectives, especially those who are of a different race or religion, in order to broaden awareness, understanding and acceptance. 

Our Shared Values initiative reinforces our culture of care here at Ohio State — advancing our efforts to make us the absolute model of the 21st century land-grant university. The overall goal is to create a healthy, ethical, values-based culture where everyone can thrive.

Survey responses, discussions with faculty, staff and students from across the university, and existing values from colleges and units established a foundation of priorities that allowed us to clarify and strengthen our Shared Values, which are: excellence and impact; diversity and innovation; inclusion and equity; care and compassion, and integrity and respect.

We have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting positive impact by putting our Shared Values framework at the foundation of our work.

You can learn more about this initiative and how we are working to infuse this into everything we do at Ohio State by watching this video and visiting the Shared Values website.

Buckeyes Reach Out

College can be stressful enough without the added pressures of a pandemic. We are here to help.

Prioritize your well-being by practicing self-care. There are many support services on campus designed to help you improve your overall well-being, both in and outside of the classroom, so do not hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.

Our Commission on Student Mental Health and Well-Being conducted a comprehensive analysis of Ohio State students’ current and evolving mental health needs and recommended five areas for improvement and innovation. Led by Senior Vice President for Student Life Dr. Melissa Shivers and Dean of the College of Nursing and Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, we are working hard to advance and implement the commission’s recommendations.

Your physical safety is also paramount and will continue to be a top priority for me. I encourage you to regularly check the Safety Resources page on our Department of Public Safety’s website for a comprehensive overview of the resources available to help enhance safety. You can also view my weekly safety updates to our community here.

Celebrating success

As usual, there are multiple stories of success among students — too many to name here.

Forty Buckeyes entering the final phase of their dissertation research or terminal degree project were selected as 2021-2022 Presidential Fellows, receiving the most prestigious award given by the Graduate School to recognize their outstanding scholarly accomplishments.

Congratulations to the seven Buckeyes competing in this Winter Olympics, including alumna Jincy Dunne, who earned a spot on the United States Women’s Ice Hockey Olympic roster.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize the beautiful performance by our talented symphony orchestra, which performed in transit by composition student Cooper Wood and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante on February 1 in Hughes Hall Auditorium.

And, cheers to the Ohio State Dance Team, which won three titles at the Universal Dance Association’s Collegiate National Championship!

As always, Go Buckeyes!

Sincerely yours,

Kristina M. Johnson, PhD

President