The Collaborator

Dr. Johnson has shared updates to the campus departure plan for winter break, in addition to an update for the spring semester. As previously announced, classes were being delivered virtually following the Thanksgiving break through the end of this semester. Additionally, Ohio State will offer the first two weeks of spring semester classes (January 11-15 and 18-22) via virtual delivery. Depending on how COVID-19 cases are trending in late December and early January, and with Governor DeWine and state and local health experts' guidance, the university will evaluate and act upon any need to extend the virtual start to the semester. We will continue to update you with details.

At this time, we are tentatively aiming to launch the Off-Campus Living Expo early next semester as a digital resource that will not require in-person gathering.  We will be in touch throughout the coming weeks as we confirm details for businesses and property owner participation. As always, we look forward to working alongside our community partners and are excited for the opportunity to once again share this initiative with students!

To continue strengthening off-campus and commuter students’ connection to the University, our Community Ambassador and Commuter Mentor peer leaders have created online communities for students living in the University District and beyond. Commuter students may join iCommute to connect with fellow commuter students and our peer mentors, while students in the University District have a home in BLOC (Buckeyes Living Off-Campus). We ask that you please encourage students you may work with to engage in these fun and resourceful communities. 

More complementary safety devices were distributed autumn semester than any semester before it, with thousands of devices given to students. We will continue offering pickup times for free window and door alarms, outlet timers and 9V batteries for smoke alarms in January. Please continue to encourage your student tenants to take advantage of this service.