Ohio State University Public Safety: Police & Security and Fire Prevention

Built Environment Security

The Ohio State University implements numerous safety precautions on its Columbus campus. Extensive lighting is found throughout the campus, and the university continues to implement additional lighting improvement projects and to consider public safety in maintaining its buildings and grounds. In addition, construction and renovation plans for University facilities are reviewed for principles associated with crime prevention through environmental design. Access to campus buildings is restricted after normal business hours, and current university identification must be shown to gain admittance to many facilities. Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day and require University BuckID identification cards for access.

In addition, the university offers numerous crime prevention and safety programs to the university community. These programs are offered by various university organizations and are available throughout each academic year. Sponsors and their programs include:

University Police

Community Policing: The University Police Department utilizes a community policing philosophy with the goals of 1) establishing positive contacts with the campus community; 2) identifying real and/or perceived problems that exist in the campus community; and 3) developing programs which aid in the resolution of identified problems. University Police use various modes of transportation to patrol the campus, including bicycles, scooters, and cars, as well as walking officers.
Community Crime Patrol: Through proactive patrols, this off-campus safety program helps identify and report possible criminal activity for the benefit of residents who live in the areas east, north and south of the university campus (many of whom are students). This program is supported by The Ohio State University and the City of Columbus.
Emergency Phones: Located throughout the university campus, these phones provide a direct line of communication to University Police for individuals in need of emergency assistance. Look for the blue lights inside buildings, in parking areas and on campus grounds. Campus Pay Telephones may also be used to dial 911 without a coin.
Sexual Assault Survivor's Rights: The University Police Department has developed and implemented a "Sexual Assault Survivor's Rights" program, which is designed to protect the rights of survivors of sexual assault and is a road map to empower and inform survivors of sexual assault. Copies of these materials are available at the University Police Department.
Prospective and Current Student Crime Awareness and Prevention Programs: The Police Department and Office of Student Affairs present information to prospective students and their parents about university safety programs and general campus safety tips. Safety literature and displays are available during orientation and at move-in, an extensive Student Affairs audio-visual presentation, including personal safety information, is presented to students and parents, and literature is distributed both on and off campus during the academic year. Information is also available at various web sites such as http://www.ps.ohio-state.edu/police/ and http://www.ps.ohio-state.edu/police/campus_safety/.

Sexual Violence Education and Support (SVES)

SVES offers programs to reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault and to aid and support rape survivors. Their programs include self-defense courses and rape prevention workshops for women and men, as well as speakers, literature, and videos for instructors to use in their classrooms. SVES also offers training to university counselors, police, medical personnel, and residence hall staff in assisting rape survivors. For further information, call 292-4527. SVES is located in the Student Wellness Center(337 W. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210), Room B130 RPAC or on the web at http://www.swc.osu.edu.

The Office of Student Judicial Affairs

The Office of Student Judicial Affairs' primary focus is to promote university community standards through the administration of The Ohio State University Code of Student Conduct. The office also serves as an information source on student discipline, judicial hearings, appeals, grievance procedures, and academic misconduct concerns.

The purpose of the University discipline system is to promote student development by addressing behaviors that are inconsistent with community standards and expectations, as defined by the Code of Student Conduct. The office conducts fair and impartial hearings regarding alleged violations of the Code and, when appropriate, administers proactive and educational sanctions. Student Judicial Affairs often coordinates its services with other campus offices in an effort to serve students to the fullest extent. Students are encouraged to communicate individual concerns they have, including alcohol or drug dependency, mental or emotional wellness, or potential legal issues to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. When appropriate, referrals will be made to other University offices in an effort to best serve students

Whenever persons witness what appear to be criminal activity or violations of University rules under the Code, they are encouraged to report this to University Police, as it is the police's role to be the primary campus investigative authority for such matters. Persons may contact the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, which may conduct an investigation or contact University Police for an investigation of the matter. When apprised of activities by recognized student organizations that allegedly are in violation of the Code of Student Conduct, (including criminal activity), the Office of Student Judicial Affairs may initiate disciplinary proceedings against the student organization and/or its members. If deemed appropriate by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, a hearing may occur to determine if any violations of the Code have taken place. The Office is located at 2050 Drake Union and can be reached at 292-0748.

It is University practice to solicit from local law enforcement agencies information on criminal activity involving students in off campus programs. This information is made available to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and other appropriate offices on campus. The Code of Student Conduct may be found at http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_csc.asp

Office of Student Affairs

Office of Housing and Residence Education: Each year, this office offers safety and crime prevention tips through its web-based Residence Hall Handbook. In addition, each residence hall makes safety instruction programs regularly available to its residents in cooperation with other university programs. For further information, call 292-3930 or go to www.housing.osu.edu and click on Risk Assessment.

Off-Campus Student Services: Each year, this office provides materials and speakers on a variety of issues of interest to students living off campus. Topics include: university area crime statistics, tenant rights, bicycle safety, housing inspection forms, prevention of drunk driving, residential burglary avoidance, operation crime alert, neighborhood watch, fire safety, campus crime prevention, rape awareness and prevention, AIDS prevention, and many others. For further information, call 292-0100 or go to www.offcampus.osu.edu. Various programs are also coordinated with Undergraduate Student Government.

Fire safety is of critical concern both on and off campus. Posters, smoke detector battery replacement programs, coordination with the Columbus Fire Department, fire safety posters, fire drills in residence halls, and staff training on fire alarms/drills/and safety take place during the year.

Student Health Services

The Wilce Student Health Center (Student Health Services) at Ohio State is an accredited, outpatient facility providing a variety of health care services to the student population. All students enrolled at Ohio State are eligible to use the services, regardless of health insurance coverage.

Health care services include family medicine, internal medicine, gynecology, dentistry, dental hygiene, optometry, sports medicine, allergy, preventive medicine, and health education. Diagnostic and support services include nursing, laboratory, radiology, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Brochures and information on many health-related topics are available from the Student Wellness Center located in Wilce Student Health Center. For further information call (614) 292-0113, email shs@osu.edu, or visit www.shc.ohio-state.edu.

Brochures and informational presentations on topics, including acquaintance rape prevention, AIDS education, alcohol and substance abuse awareness programs, first aid, and many other topics are available from the Student Wellness Center. For further information, call 292-2112 or go to www.shc.ohio-state.edu.

University Hospitals

All University Hospital employees are required to display a hospital identification badge, and the hospitals maintain a computerized access system. The hospitals' Security and Safety Department provides weekly orientation programs for new employees and offers in-service crime prevention programs to all employees. For further information, call 293-8222.

Student Safety and Escort Service

University Police employ students to identify and advise police of observed criminal or suspicious activity and/or potential campus safety issues. Student Safety Service members are trained by University Police in diversity, criminal law, first aid, CPR and self-defense and carry radios to communicate directly with police. They are also involved in crime prevention programming and operate the escort service.

The escort service provides students with safe transportation in the general campus area during evening and early morning hours. Trained, uniformed students will walk or drive students to and from their destination within the service area and carry radios for direct contact with University Police.

The escort service is available by calling 292-3322 during the following times:

Autumn Quarter: 7:30 p.m. to 2:50 a.m.
Winter Quarter: 6:30 p.m. to 2:50 a.m.
Spring Quarter: 7:30 p.m. to 2:50 a.m.
Summer Quarter: 7:30 p.m. to 2:50 a.m.