Report & Support: COVID-19 + Community Safety
As students return to campus and the University District, we want to make sure that everyone is informed and doing all they can to keep themselves and our community safe. However, things don’t always go as planned. When a violation of health protocols is witnessed or a question rises about the transition back to campus, it can be difficult to know where to turn. The information below details how to report violations to the appropriate officials and how to get answers to all of your back-to-campus questions.
Student Violations
Students must adhere to all of the commitments found in the Buckeye Pledge and the requirements found on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website. This includes wearing face masks and practicing physical distancing. On-campus residents may not have visitors or overnight guests. And there can be no gatherings or events with more than 10 in-person participants.
Safe and Healthy Buckeyes Website: https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/
Ohio State University reminds students and student organizations that health orders, directives and advisories apply to all their activities and gatherings, whether on- or off-campus. Failure to abide by those directives, orders and advisories can – just like failing to follow all applicable local, state and federal laws – subject students and student organizations to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct.
Violation Repercussions: https://studentconduct.osu.edu/for-students/covid-accountability02/
Student Conduct will open a new case and begin an investigation when they receive a complaint that alleges an Ohio State student possibly violated the Code of Student Conduct.
Complaints come in different forms from a variety of sources:
The Ohio State Police Division and the Columbus Division of Police often send reports to the conduct office when they encounter students whose conduct may have violated the law, the Code or both.
Other university offices frequently provide information to the conduct office that will prompt an investigation. Conduct routinely receive complaints from Residence Life, Student Activities, Sorority and Fraternity Life, as well as academic units.
Individuals can submit a complaint using the conduct form.
Conduct Form: go.osu.edu/conductcomplaint
Upon receipt of a complaint, Student Conduct may:
Open an investigation pursuant to the provisions found in the Code of Student Conduct.
Refer the report to another office for consideration or further action.
Review the report for other response or resolution options, such as the Student Mediation Program.
If you want to make an anonymous report, please consider using the reporting option offered by the Office of University Compliance and Integrity. That system allows users – without disclosing their name or other identifiable information – to follow-up on a report, to read the university’s response or to provide additional information.
Anonymous Form: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/7689/index.html
Business Violations
Any health violations perpetrated by businesses can be reported to 311. A description of the complaint and names of the offending businesses can also be sent to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office. City officials will then take necessary action to ensure that proper health protocols are adhered to.
Columbus 311 Website: https://311.columbus.gov/
Columbus 311 Phone: (614) 645-3111
Columbus 311 Email: https://311.columbus.gov/Question_comment.aspx
Assistant City Attorney Emails: CHBarham@Columbus.gov OR SCPomeroy@columbus.gov
Support Services
The Ohio State University’s Return-to-Campus phone line will be a general call line for students and parents to ask questions and receive information about return to campus and COVID impacts on campus.
The phone line will stay active during the first six weeks of classes. The phone line will cover the following topic areas:
On-Campus Living (questions about housing, dining, rec sports, programming/involvement)
Health and Safety Guidelines/Rules (questions about quarantine/isolation housing, cleaning procedures/process, conduct and enforcement)
Off-Campus Living (questions about quarantine/isolation off-campus, parties/gatherings off-campus)
COVID Testing (questions about surveillance testing program, pool testing)
Academics (questions about online courses, labs, courses and fees)
Return to Campus Phone Line: 614-29-ASK-US (614-292-7587)
Return to Campus Phone Line Schedule:
Monday - Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday - Sunday: 8 AM - 5 PM, 9 PM - Midnight