Supporting our APIDA community

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: 

As we reflect over the past year, it seems almost impossible to process all that has happened. Of course the COVID-19 pandemic has been front and center in our academic, professional and personal lives. Just as we have started to see sparks of hope from the availability of vaccinations, we are forced to comprehend even more senseless acts of violence. The shootings in the Atlanta area Tuesday resulting in the loss of eight lives are shocking and heartbreaking.

Six of the eight people whose lives were lost were of Asian descent. As we shared last week, this comes at a time when reports of violence against Asian Americans are on the rise nationwide, creating fear, disbelief and mistrust. We want to express strongly our unwavering support for all who are struggling with Tuesday’s violence, especially the members of our Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community at Ohio State and beyond, as well as our international students from Asian countries. The Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service counselors and Multicultural Center staff hosted a space yesterday via CarmenZoom from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for students to drop in for support. Below is information about ongoing support:

• The Office of Student Life Multicultural Center continues to offer programming, including APIDA programming that will continue to be added.
• Students may contact Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) by calling 614-292-5766.
• Employees may contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 614-292-4700.

As a reminder, the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) coordinates the university’s response to all reports of harassment, including microaggressions and discrimination. The OIE team can assist people in learning more about their rights to be free from harassment and discrimination, providing supportive measures and offering resolution options. Please contact OIE at:

• equity.osu.edu (see report form)
• equity@osu.edu, 614-247-5838 or TTY 614-688-8605
• An anonymous concern may also be reported through EthicsPoint.

These are sad and devastating events. We are thankful to be part of a campus community that comes together in times of sorrow to support and uplift one another.

Sincerely yours,

Kristina M. Johnson, PhD

President

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD

Senior Vice President for Student Life

Keesha R. Mitchell, JD

Interim Associate Vice President Office of Institutional Equity