Ohio State News Alert: Resources for the 2026-27 academic year

Ohio State News Alert: Resources for the 2026-27 academic year

With Ohio State students, faculty and staff now on our campuses, the university is sharing some important updates and reminders to help ensure a successful start to the 2026-27 year.

Areas of focus include:

• Safety resources
• Getting around campus
• Well-being resources
• Freedom of expression and civic engagement
• AI Fluency

Safety resources

The safety of all Buckeyes is Ohio State's top priority. The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) has an authorized strength of 78 full-time officers supported by hundreds of non-sworn security personnel, a campus 9-1-1 call center and security technology. OSUPD works closely with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) to offer increased patrols in the off-campus University District, including through the joint patrol program that pairs four OSUPD officers with officers from CPD to work in the nearby neighborhood where many students live.

While campus is a safe place, crimes do still occur. Police recommend the following safety tips:

• Lock doors and windows and do not allow unknown people into your home or residence hall.
• Utilize public transportation or walk in groups to avoid walking alone, especially at night.
• Report suspicious activity to OSUPD (614-292-2121) or local city police. Always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

The Office of Student Life provides students with complimentary safety devices for their off-campus homes, including window and door alarms. These can be picked up at the Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement office at the Ohio Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn about safety resources and more, visit the university's public safety website.

Getting around campus

Lyft Ride Smart at Ohio State offers students discounted late-night rides in a designated area from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. CABS On-Demand is a free service offered to all Buckeyes, providing daytime and overnight service to select buildings. As autumn semester gets underway, campus will be busier than usual. Expect heavier traffic, plan for extra travel time, avoid distractions and watch out for your fellow Buckeyes. Review transportation updates, including CABS and CABS On-Demand changes, the COTA digital pass in the Ohio State app and the university traffic impact map.

Well-being resources

A variety of services are available to help support the well-being of our community. Students can utilize the university's online Health and Wellness Resource Guide to quickly search for the most appropriate resource. Health and wellness related services are listed alphabetically and can be searched by feature using the specific criteria within the 10 Dimensions of Wellness.

• The Office of Student Life's Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) provides individual and group mental health services, workshops and outreach programming to currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and others covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan. CCS on-demand services offer ways for students to get help whenever it's needed.
• Student Life Disability Services consults with students on a one-to-one basis to: review academic accommodations based on concerns including mental health; discuss concerns with classes or instructors; and refer students to additional campus and community resources.
• The Monda Student Resource Center helps students' holistic, essential needs through resources and support from campus and community partners.
• Student Health Services offers on-campus health care options to the student population while Recreational Sports promotes living an active life of balance, physical activity and well-being.
• The Ohio State: Wellness app supports students' mental health and well-being on campus with resources, connections to support, information about setting goals and building healthy habits.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to utilize resources through the Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP member portal connects employees with online tools, well-being resources and work-life services that are available to eligible Ohio State employees, their dependents, household members, parents and parents-in-law.

Freedom of expression and civic engagement

The First Amendment and Ohio law expressly protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the university to lawfully engage in speech and expressive activities. The Freedom of Expression website is an online hub for support resources, policies and other information to help everyone participate in public discourse and exercise their rights. Ohio State's University Space Standards provide comprehensive information about using spaces on our campus, including the space reservation process and associated rules.

Ohio State expects members of our community to contribute to an environment where trust and respectful dialogue are the expectation - not the exception. To advance this, the university launched an initiative to help members of our community listen and discuss different perspectives productively, build trust with one another, learn how to clearly articulate their points of view and successfully navigate complex conversations. Listen. Learn. Discuss. helps students, faculty and staff draw connections and form skills to engage in productive and respectful dialogue. Visit the Listen. Learn. Discuss.website to find courses, workshops and events that support the practice of civil discourse.

The university remains committed to its motto of "Education for Citizenship" by supporting civic engagement.

• OSU Votes is a nonpartisan, student-led initiative in the Office of Student Life that works to register, educate and encourage other students to vote. OSU Votes can provide resources and facts on the voting process and voter registration.
• Ohio State is implementing a university-wide Asynchronous Learning and Civic Engagement Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following a resolution passed by University Senate in autumn 2025.

AI Fluency

In autumn 2025, Ohio State unveiled the groundbreaking AI Fluency initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into the Ohio State educational experience and support an educational environment that maximizes learning, creativity and impact. In the second year of this initiative, the university is expanding its offering of programs, courses and resources for students, staff and faculty.

• Colleges across the university have developed academic roadmapsshowing how undergraduates will build and use AI skills within their majors, from the College of Arts and Sciences helping to shape the future of AI to Fisher College of Business forging connections and collaborationwithin its research community.
• The Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning continues to expand its AI Fluency support resources for instructors at all levels and launched a fellows program for this fall.

Visit the Office of Academic Affairs for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and subscribe to the AI Fluency at Ohio State newsletter to stay up to date on AI Fluency news and developments. For staff, the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation offers training, educational courses and more, and all available resources are offered on the "Learn to use AI" webpage. Virtual and in-person training can be found on the AI Resources and Events page.

More Ohio State News