Inclusive Excellence
The Ohio State University values diversity in people, as well as ideas. As such, we are committed to creating a community that is inclusive of all individual, group and social identities, including, but not limited to, race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin and ability as well as cultural, political, religious or other affiliations.
Our goal is that all members of our community will grow in their understanding of their own identities, engage in experiences that broaden their awareness and appreciation of identities different from their own and recognize biases they, and other members of the community hold, while developing strategies for combatting incidents of bias that may otherwise divide us. Each individual matters, and our priority is for each member of our community to experience a sense of belonging and feel valued at Ohio State.
The Office of Student Life’s Housing Administration and Residence Life staff are committed to creating a safe, inclusive space for all residents through supportive staff, educational programs and events.
As a member of the Ohio State community, we empower you to ARISE to challenge any and all occasions of bias, injustice and prejudice using the steps outlined below. Through these actions, we each take an active role in holding our residential community members accountable in order to have a welcoming, engaging and secure environment.
- Address the biases
If you are comfortable, confront the individual(s) acting in a biased manner. However, never place yourself in a situation where the safety of yourself or others is in question. Please utilize on-campus resources such as your hall staff in any situation that you are uncomfortable confronting the bias by yourself.
- Report to hall staff
Approach a member of your hall staff to report the situation. They will work to ensure a safe environment for everyone, help you file proper documentation and help connect you with the resources available to you. - Interact with the Office of Institutional Equity for care services and resolutions
When bias incidents are reported on campus, there are dedicated professionals who respond and investigate to help ensure a continued environment of support for all students on campus. If you have been involved in a bias incident that was reported, the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) will reach out to you as part of their investigation. We encourage you to collaborate with them so that formal actions can be taken to help ensure the support of those negatively affected. - Support yourself and others with available resources
Support looks different for everyone. Whether you were directly or indirectly a victim of the bias incident, make sure to seek support in whichever way is best for you. It could be resting in a new or familiar space, being around friends or family or spending some time alone. There are many supportive campus resources that may be of assistance and we encourage you to take advantage of them as needed. Some helpful examples are: - Engage by supporting growth, education and safety in all of our communities
Students like you are what help make Ohio State’s community so wonderful. By continuing to be an engaged student we hope that you can help us to support the growth, education, comfort and safety of our community members, especially in moments in which biases have occurred.
If you are seeking additional resources on campus, please see the list below for offices and departments who offer additional educational and supportive services.
Campus Resources
Student Life Resources