University Hall at Ohio State University.

OSU Creates Safety Task Force After Shooting Death Near Campus

  • By Yvonne Marquez
  • October 19, 2020

Ohio State University announced the establishment of a task force to review safety issues on campus and the surrounding neighborhoods near the university on Thursday. The task force was created in the wake of the shooting death of 23-year-old OSU student, Chase Meola on Oct. 11.

“We lost a beloved student to an act of senseless, criminal violence this week,” Kristina M. Johnson, president of OSU, said in a university-wide email. “Chase Meola was an extraordinary friend to so many in our Buckeye community. We deeply grieve his loss. This crime has left members of our community feeling anxious and concerned about safety.”

Meola, a 5th year marketing student, was found shot to death in a parking lot of a former fraternity house near campus at a party. Eighteen-year-old Kinte Mitchell Jr. was charged with murder in connection with the death of Meola. Mitchell is being held on $5 million bond.

The University Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being will meet “to identify, implement and advocate for additional approaches that address violence, crime, and high-risk activities and behaviors.” The task force will deliver an initial report before the Thanksgiving holiday next month and will continue to work throughout the year.

The task force will be co-chaired by Melissa Shivers, vice president of the Office of Student Life, and Jay Kasey, senior vice president of the Office of Administration and Planning.

“The work of the task force will combine expertise from multiple partners to find practical, convergent solutions that we can apply and implement without delay,” Kasey said in a press release.

The task force will include OSU students, faculty, staff, parents, law enforcement professionals from OSUPD, public health professionals, representatives of neighborhoods in the University District, Ohio State Student Legal Services, and representatives from Columbus City Council and the Office of the Mayor.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. She can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers