Safety and Security
Each year, Ohio State hosts a number of special events across the main campus
and at its facilities statewide. The safety and security of those who host
and attend these events is of utmost importance. Planning any event is
challenging. Planning for the potential risks and hazards associated with
an event is essential to the event’s success. Before you schedule an
event that will take place on University property, you should consider the
following:
- Will any part of my event take place on a campus or City of Columbus
street?
- Would you like to host a run/walk/parade on campus (with or without road closures)? If so, please complete a Permit Application.
Acceptable courses can be viewed here:
Course 1,
Course 2,
Course 3
- Will any streets need to be closed for the event?
- Will the event occur at a regional campus or at another remote
University property, for example the Molly Caren Agricultural Center?
- Is there a large attendance (more than
200 people) anticipated?
- Could this event draw enough attendees (more than 50 vehicles) to affect
traffic flow?
- Are there items of value (including at-the-door ticket sales, equipment,
other property) that may need special safeguarding?
- Is the event one that might elicit an emotional response from another
group or from individuals in attendance?
- Will any alcohol be served or permitted? If so,
approval from the
Office of Legal Affairs'
Contracts Administrator (614/292-0611) must be secured. PLEASE NOTE: If any money is being collected, or if
there are any fees being charged in conjunction with this event, additional
time will be required to obtain the necessary permits.
Click here
to learn more about OSU's Policy on Alcohol.
- Will any emergency medical services be needed? Is there
the potential for unusual risk of injury associated with this event?
- Are there any harmful or dangerous/flammable materials expected to be used at this event (i.e., fireworks, pyrotechnics)? If so, special permits may be required (contact University Security and Fire Prevention Services at 614/292-3643).
-
Will you be erecting tent(s)? Tents can not be staked and must be water ballast. It is the responsibility of event planners to contact the State Fire Marshal(SFM) Office when planning any event involving tents measuring 200 square feet (10' x 20'), canopies measuring 400 square feet (20' x 20') or inflatables (614-752-7134). Click here to download a permit application.
- Will the event take place late in the evening, very early in the
morning, or in a remote or isolated location?
- Are you planning to release balloons?
- Do you have any other reasons to think the University Police or any
other security service should be notified?
Don't overlook this important aspect of event planning! If you have
answered "yes" to any of the above, contact the University
Police Special
Events Coordinator (614/688-3211) or complete an on-line
Request for Public Safety Services (If you have a pop up blocker, please make sure it's not blocking the form from showing up in a new window). The Special Events Coordinator is available to assist in making
sure your event is a
smooth and successful one, and will coordinate all safety and security services
that might be needed. The University Police Division
reserves the right to require sponsoring organizations to hire, at their
expense, a sufficient number of police, medics, and/or security officers in
order to maintain a safe event. An estimate for these services will be
provided.
Security and Safety Services include:
- University Police Division
- University Security Services
- University Hospital Safety & Security
- Columbus Division of Fire (Medic Services)
- Transportation & Parking Services
Please note: The employment of any law enforcement or
security officer, regardless of agency, on University grounds for any purpose
must be arranged and approved by University Police Special Events in advance of
the event and service, and falls under the direction and control of the
University Police Chief (per Operating Manual Section 26).
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