Diversity and Inclusion offices maintaining regular business hours

As together we combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Division for Diversity and Inclusion recognizes the need to support Ohio University students now more than ever.

While the division’s physical spaces, including the LGBT Center, the Multicultural Center, the Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention (OMSAR), and the Women’s Center, are closed until further notice, the division remains open and ready to serve students.

Staff from each area within the Division for Diversity and Inclusion are available to assist students during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those offices may be reached at:

• LGBT Center, 740-593-0239 or lgbt@ohio.edu
• Multicultural Center, 740-597-2110 or multiculturalcenter@ohio.edu
• OMSAR, 740-593-9376 or diversity@ohio.edu
• Women’s Center, 740-593-9625 or womenscenter@ohio.edu

While all in-person trainings, programs and events have been canceled through the remainder of spring semester, staff are working diligently to transition some programming to a virtual environment and developing social media campaigns aimed at connecting students and celebrating their achievements.

As students are transitioning to both a new academic learning environment and a new social landscape, Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) is continuing to provide virtual support to help students navigate this period of significant change. Students may contact CPS at any time by calling 740-593-1616; for after-hour calls, press 1 to be connected to a counselor. Students who had appointments scheduled with CPS should have received an email from their counselor to make arrangements; students who did not receive an email should call CPS at the phone number listed above. For more information, click here.  

LGBT Center

The LGBT Center continues to develop online programs and initiatives to both support students and to celebrate students who are preparing to graduate. Programs and initiatives currently underway include:

• Make a Progress Pledge. Show your support for OHIO’s LGBTQ+ community! The center’s active allies (both within and outside of our LGBTQ+ communities) are invited to reflect on how they will continue to support the LGBT Center’s mission of care and progress. Click here to learn how to make your very own LGBT Center Progress Pledge, join our database of active allies, and be kept up to date on all future LGBT Center activities!
• Rainbow Resilience. Follow the LGBT Center on social media for tips and strategies for cultivating resilience during difficult times.
• Celebrating LGBTQ+ Graduates. Follow us on social media the week of April 20, 2020, to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating Ohio University students!
• Community Celebrations. Follow us on social media to join us in acknowledging and supporting LGBTQ+ community members for occasions like Trans Day of Visibility and Lesbian Day of Visibility!
• Virtual Tea with a Librarian. During the current period of social distancing, the LGBT Center’s weekly "teas" with librarians from Alden Library are going online! Click here to access our Facebook event page and learn more!

Updates regarding LGBT Center virtual programming and outreach will be shared through the center’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.

Multicultural Center

Staff within the Multicultural Center are working to develop resources for students that include tips for excelling in a remote and online learning environment, information on resources available to students in need of financial assistance at this time, and links to job opportunities in Ohio communities where a large number of our students reside. Please email questions regarding this year’s Kushinda/Ritos de Pasaje Graduation Center to Dr. Winsome Chunnu at chunnu@ohio.edu.

OMSAR

OMSAR staff remain committed to supporting scholars’ (Templeton, Rankin, Urban, Appalachian and Promise) academic needs with online advising for scholarship compliance. Virtual community service and workshop opportunities will be announced, and staff are planning social media campaigns to showcase OHIO’s Senior Peer Mentors and student workers. Updates will be shared on the office’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Women’s Center

The Women’s Center will be offering virtual office hours from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Tuesday, March 24, and running through the remainder of the spring semester. The center’s International Women’s Coffee Hour will continue to be held – virtually – from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of the semester.

The Women’s Center’s website continues to be updated with information regarding workshops being offered online in real-time and development opportunities that students can complete at their leisure.

Additional information on the Women’s Center virtual office hours and programming is available here.

“On behalf of the Division for Diversity and Inclusion, I want our students to know that you are not alone. The entire OHIO community, including our dedicated staff, is here to support and celebrate you,” said Dr. Gigi Secuban, vice president of the Division for Diversity and Inclusion. “We look forward to the day when we welcome all of our students back to campus. Until then, we are ready to support you on your path to graduation. Please continue to stay connected to us, to each other and to the services we offer in support of your academic journey.”

For additional information, follow @oudiversity on Twitter and Instagram.