Undergraduate Student News

College of Arts and Sciences

Volume 11 - August 2021

Advising & Academics

Scheduling Courses

Scholarships & Grants

Get Involved

Career Success

Counseling Services

Student Resources

Writing Help

Math & Statistics Help

Welcome From Dr. David Horn

Interim Executive Dean for Arts and Sciences

Whether you are new or returning to Ohio State, I am pleased to welcome you to the Autumn 2021 semester. Our college offers over 80 majors and 100 minors, and I invite you to use them to explore, to question, and to create in innovative ways. You will not only uncover the many benefits of a large and diverse university, but also forge lifelong friendships that emerge from taking part in the smaller groups that make up our college community. As the campus reopens, it will be our shared responsibility to actively care for one another – with safe and healthy habits, and with patience, flexibility, and good humor. As you take advantage of new experiences, I encourage you to get to know our faculty and staff who are here to challenge and support you along the way. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Starting Out Strong

Are you in a class that you think may be challenging? If so, there are numerous resources to help you succeed. For example, you can receive free help with writing and math courses. For information on tutoring in these and other areas, technology support, health and wellness resources, student support services, as well as many additional university resources that are here to support you throughout your enrollment, check out our resources web page. Bookmark the page for future reference.

Writing Help

Need help with a writing assignment or application? The Writing Center, part of the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing (CSTW), offers free help at any stage of the writing process. The Writing Center consultants can help you with research papers, lab reports, STEP proposals, grad school applications, and more. Plans are still evolving, but we’ll start the Autumn semester online; students may work with a trained consultant by appointment through two kinds of online sessions: drop off sessions where consultants will return feedback to a document in 24-48 hours, and live chat sessions where writers can work with consultants virtually in real time. The Center also maintains online resources to help you with common writing challenges from constructing a thesis statement to organizing your ideas.

Math and Statistics Help

Are you taking a MATH or STATS course? The Mathematics and Statistics Learning Center (MSLC) provides free drop-in tutoring to students in many math and statistics courses. Even if you’re not sure if tutoring is for you, students often use the Center as a place to work on their math/stats homework with the added benefit of having a tutor around in case a question comes up. The MSLC also provides online resources for most of the large enrollment mathematics courses. For more information visit MSLC.

Personal Wellness and Mental Health (ARTSSCI 5194, 1 credit)

Through this 1-credit, distance learning course, students will be introduced to a variety of evidence-based strategies for managing stress, coping with anxiety and depression, and promoting personal wellness. To learn these strategies, students will be asked to try them out and explore how they can use them in their own lives. The course aims to provide students with a psychological toolkit that they can rely on in facing a wide variety of challenges as they progress through their university experience and into the years that follow. Offered autumn 2021. No prerequisites.

Online, Hybrid, and In-Person Learning Resources

This website will guide you to the right tools and tips to help you be successful whether your class is online, hybrid or in-person. Read more.

Ohio State App

Do you need help finding a building or gender inclusive restrooms? Would you like to find the closest campus dining location to eat or buy a cup of coffee? Do you need help learning the CABS bus routes or want to know when a CABS bus will arrive at your location? Download the Ohio State app for answers to these questions and much more.

2021 Ohio State Law Fair (In-Person)

Tuesday, October 5

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Ohio Union Grand Ballroom

Meet with representatives from dozens of law schools in Ohio and around the country! In addition to learning about legal education options, attendees will be able to meet with LSAT test prep companies, attend workshops, and talk with current law students and pre-law advisors. There is a raffle for all attendees featuring a free LSAT Review course! Open to all current students and alumni, all majors. Click here for more details and resources.

Start Now!

Don’t wait to update your resume. Meet with your Career Coach now for help identifying the competencies built and to articulate the experiences you had this past summer, while it’s still fresh in your mind. Schedule your in-person or virtual appointment with your Career Coach using your Handshake account. Start preparing for your lifetime of opportunity today!

Connect With a Mentor

A relationship with a mentor can help you clarify steps to take in your academic journey, explore career goals, build your professional network and more. Career Success offers a free, year-long mentor program that pairs you with an alumnus that can share their knowledge and experience with you. Space is limited, so apply today.

On-Campus Employment

Are you looking for an on-campus job? Use your Ohio State credentials to log into Handshake, build your profile, search and apply for jobs, and track your interview times. Handshake provides easy access to information about positions on and around campus. You may also access positions including federal work-study positions on the Student Job Board, federal work-study positions on the Federal Work-Study Job Board, and positions in the Office of Student Life.

Arts and Sciences Student Organizations

We can help you connect with other arts and sciences majors! It's easy to join an organization connected with your major or another area of interest related to the arts and sciences. Arts and sciences student organizations are listed here. Click on "Departmental Organizations" for a list of 60+ arts and sciences-related student groups.

Welcome Week: August 20 - 29

Taking place during the first week of classes in the autumn semester, Welcome Week is a collection of events meant to welcome back returning students, staff, and faculty and to introduce new students to the different areas of student life at Ohio State. Among the traditional events are the President's Convocation, the Student Involvement Fair, Buckeye Kick-Off, and Community Commitment. Read more.

Autumn Student Involvement Fair

Sunday, August 22

4 - 7 p.m.

Virtual and In-Person (The Oval and South Oval)

The Student Involvement Fair will be both an in-person and an online experience this year. Attendees should plan to prepare for the Fair in the days leading up to August 22 by engaging with the online tool in browsing participating organizations, learning how to best navigate the in-person event, and determining which organizations to visit at the table fair. Read more. Fair map.

Student Life Multicultural Center (MCC) Welcome Week Events

• Native American & Indigenous Student Welcome – Monday, August 23, 3 - 5 p.m.
• Latinx Welcome Cookout - Monday, August 23, 4 - 6 p.m.
• LGBTQ Welcome (Back) Mix and Mingle – Tuesday, August 24, 4 - 6 p.m.
• APIDA Student Welcome and Showcase - Wednesday, August 25, 6 - 8 p.m.
• Women's Welcome Week Event - Wednesday, August 25, 6 - 8 p.m.
• African American Family Reunion - Friday, August 27, 5:30 - 9 p.m.
• First Generation College Student Welcome Fest - Saturday, August 28, 3-4:30 p.m.

For more information on these events including their location, other ways to get involved, services, resources, programs, and cohort groups, visit the MCC.

Global Buckeye Celebration

Friday, August 27

5 - 7 p.m.

Tom W. Davis Gym in the RPAC

The Global Buckeye Celebration welcomes and celebrates the newest class of international students at the beginning of autumn semester. The event is an opportunity for international students to meet other students and celebrate their arrival on campus. Come and join the fun! Read more.

School of Music Ensemble Opportunities

Open to Non-Majors

All students are invited to participate in ensembles, and you don't have to be a music major to be involved. Some have open enrollment (no audition required). Ensembles include large bands, orchestras, jazz bands and combos, and choirs at every level of ability. There are also several smaller chamber opportunities for vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers. In addition to the Ohio State Marching band, which is open to brass and percussion musicians by audition, the athletic bands have open enrollment and welcome woodwind players. Most ensembles have variable credit hours between 0.5 and 2, which allows you to participate without exceeding 18 hours per semester. Whether you are an experienced performer or a hobbyist, there is a group for you! Ensemble Courses 2021–2022. Ensembles and audition information.

2021 Global Education Expo

Thursday, September 9

2 - 6 p.m.

Archie Griffin East Ballroom, Ohio Union

It's never too early to begin your plans for a global education experience. The expo gives students the opportunity to talk one-on-one with global education experts, explore the wide variety of programs, including virtual opportunities, for all Buckeyes and learn more about the many ways to know and engage the world at Ohio State. Visit the Office of International Affairs for all the details.

Global Engagement Night: Meet & Greet

Tuesday, August 31

6 - 7 p.m. (1st meeting)

First Floor, Enarson Classroom Building

The Office of International Affairs invites international and domestic students to join them for Global Engagement Night, where you can interact with one another and have cross-cultural discussions about different regions of the world and general topics affecting all college students. All are welcome to join the discussion every Tuesday. Get to know the Global Ambassadors who will lead the discussion every week. Read more and view a full list of this semester's topics here.

Safe and Healthy Buckeyes Website

The Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website includes information related to the COVID-19 vaccine, dining and living on campus, personal safety practices, mental health and wellness, recreation, and more. The university will continue to evaluate recommendations based on evolving conditions and the site will reflect any updates.

Student Wellness Center

The Office of Student Life's Student Wellness Center provides a variety of services to support holistic wellness and the nine dimensions of wellness. Services include: 

• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Services
• Body Project
• Buckeye Food Alliance
• Buckeye Peer Access Line
• Collegiate Recovery Community (1st floor, Baker Hall)
• Scarlet and Gray Financial Coaching
• Nutrition Coaching
• Relationship Education and Violence Prevention
• Sexual Health Services: Condom Club, and STI/HIV Testing
• Student Civility Program
• Wellness Ambassadors
• Wellness Coaching (445 PAES)

The Student Wellness Center is located in the RPAC just past the main floor entry gates. Learn more about what they offer and how to get involved by visiting their website at swc.osu.edu.

Stay Safe Living Off Campus

Free Home Safety Devices

Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement is the resource center for off-campus living and commuting. They offer free home safety devices, including window and door alarms and light timers, commuter lockers, a commuter kitchen, and support finding off-campus housing and roommates. To learn more, visit the Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement website at offcampus.osu.edu.

Emergency Funds and Mental Healthcare Financial Assistance

Student Emergency Fund - This fund assists with unplanned expenses that put students at risk of dropping out. Eligible emergencies include eviction, utility shut-off, and food insecurity. Eligible students can receive up to $1,000 for approved expenses with documentation. 

Mental Healthcare Financial Assistance Fund - This fund provides financial assistance to students experiencing a financial barrier to mental health treatment or who are struggling financially because of recent mental health care costs. Approved expenses include intensive treatment programs and therapy session co-pays. Eligible students can receive up to $3,000 for approved expenses with documentation.

The Student Advocacy Center is now accepting applications for these funds. Review the eligibility requirements, approved expenses, apply, and submit documentation here: Student Advocacy Center Financial Assistance.

Recreational Sports

Student Life’s Recreational Sports offers group fitness, aquatics, adventure trips, climbing, fitness and recreation, intramural sports, sport clubs, personal training, and many other activities. In addition to all available federal, state, local, and university guidelines, they will also follow the guidance of national sports governing bodies to ensure physical distancing practices and other safety protocols are in place. Read more. Group fitness schedule. Check RPAC current facility capacity.

Movie on the Oval

Godzilla vs. Kong

Wednesday, August 25 from 7 - 10 p.m.

Main Oval

Join the Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) for their annual Movie on the Oval. Godzilla vs. Kong is the featured film and food will be served. Read more.

Flicks for Free

Flicks for Free is presented by the Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) and brought to you by your student activity fee. They are open to Ohio State Columbus campus students with a valid BuckID. All movies are held at the U.S. Bank Conference Theater in the Ohio Union. Read more.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Wednesday, September 1 at 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Wednesday, September 8 at 7 p.m.

Monthly Movie Night: Galaxy Quest - Virtual

Wednesday, August 25 from 8 - 9:30 p.m.

Join the Ohio State Department of Astronomy and Center for Cosmology and AstroParticle Physics (CCAPP) for an online panel discussion on the science concepts featured in the film Galaxy Quest. Read more and register here.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep yourself, your family, and your friends healthy and safe.

Safe and Health Buckeyes - Navigating COVID-19 Together

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT