Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Physics Community Committee

Student in the lab

Mission Statement 

The Physics Community Committee strives to build a strong department community with fair and transparent policies and practices that support the professional and academic success of all department members, allowing each to reach their full potential. The Committee also will help to ensure that the Department maintains a professional work environment that encourages respectful interchange between all members regardless of background or career status. 

 

Activities

The Physics Community Committee will identify and promote departmental, university, or other resources or activities that could be applied to enhance the professional environment of the Physics Department.  

The Committee will work with other department committees to ensure policies and practices are transparent and fair.   The Committee and its members will provide a resource for all members of the Department when challenges arise by providing a forum to ensure that their concerns are heard, connecting affected individuals with appropriate support networks, and advocating for structural changes where appropriate to ensure continued fairness and transparency in the department's operation.  

Department Community Documents on Human Interactions:

Physics Department Code of Conduct 

Values and Expectations for Graduate Students in Physics

 

Climate and Diversity Committee (2025-2026)

The committee consists of representatives of all constituent groups of the Physics Department (undergraduates, grad students, postdocs, staff and faculty).

Jackie Chini (Faculty, Chair)

Michael Poirier (Faculty, Chair-elect)

Daniel Brandenburg (Faculty)

Ashley Ross (Faculty)

Tyler Gorda (Faculty)

Linda Carpenter (Faculty)

Allison Lucas (Graduate Program Representative)

Brandon Abrego (Bridge Program Representative)

Hosea Merritt (Bridge Program Representative)

Sabrina Fortunak (Undergraduate Program Representative)

Sebastian Rosario Hernandes (Undergraduate Program Representative)

Ann-Kathrin Raab (Postdoc Representative)

Michelle Richard (Staff Representative)

Carly Scopel (Staff Representative)

 

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting 

The committee welcomes input from all members of the department, particularly regarding problems and areas of concern, suggested activities, or changes to make the department community stronger.  Members of the committee understand that these discussions are often very sensitive.  We will protect confidentiality (including withholding information from other members of the committee if it could identify specific individuals) to the extent allowed by University policy and the law.  In particular, faculty and other members of the committee with supervisory roles are mandatory reporters and must report instances of sexual harassment to the  OSU Title IX office;  all members of our community have a duty to report sexual assault. 

Confidential resources are available to OSU community members, including: