Intent and History
This page is for informational purposes about the establishment of the OSU Assist program only. Dial 911 or visit our emergency support resources if you have an immediate need or crisis.
Vision Statement
Too often, those who hold marginalized identities experience law enforcement negatively; they may have anxiety about past encounters or distressing associations with police violence from across the nation. Oregon State University partners, including the Department of Public Safety, is addressing these concerns by collaborating with appropriate support services for individual in crisis. Our person-centered, trauma-informed response considers each individual's unique situation, providing suitable care and resources.
OSU Assist, a newer crisis response initiative at OSU's Corvallis campus, integrates new personnel and existing services to support students, faculty, and community members with the right resources at the right time. This approach recognizes that not all crises require law enforcement, and a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals, peer support specialists, and community health workers often provides a more appropriate response.
Partners
Within OSU & Beyond
This strong network of care reimagines how we approach safety and security at Oregon State, creating greater alignment and collaboration among university and community partners in the coordination of crisis prevention, mental health, public safety and other support services in Corvallis.
OSU Assist partners include Student Health Services (including the Center for Advocacy, Prevention & Education), Counseling & Psychological Services, the OSU Police and Department of Public Safety, University Housing & Dining Services, Student Care, academic partners and community agencies.
OSU Assist also continues to engage with other partners outside of the university who are improving how they provide mobile crisis response services. These include external partners in the local communities that surround the OSU campuses as well as national and international groups and organizations focused on providing effective crisis response, often as an alternative to law enforcement. These partnerships offer benchmarking and resources for the OSU Assist program.
Program Development Timeline
The integration of this new form of crisis response within the Oregon State community will occur in stages. Read below for a timeline of since the launch of OSU Assist; the project is evolving and content is subject to change. You may email non-emergency comments or questions regarding this process to [email protected].
Formation of the OSU Assist Advisory Group — ongoing advisory group meetings launch in November 2020.
Complete position descriptions for additional members of the OSU Assist team. Continue engagement with OSU community through listening posts, focus groups and other forms of input.
OSU Assist Advisory Group creates position description for new program coordinator in consultation with the Office of General Counsel and Insurance and Risk Management.
Vice Provost for Student Affairs Dan Larson reports on OSU Assist to the OSU Board of Trustees.
Recruited new program coordinator. Search concluded without successful hire.
OSU Assist Advisory Group holds webinars to update the OSU community on the progress of OSU Assist.
Distribute and collect community and stakeholder survey.
Reopen new program coordinator position search. Anticipated start date in April.
Recruit, hire and on board OSU Assist Assist response team.
OSU Assist team begins receiving calls and responding to incidents.
Advisory group engages withstudent focus groups to inform program expansion and operational changes.
OSU Assist Team hires additional responder and expands operational hours
Osu Assist
Advisory Committee
Lead
Aubrie Piper
Kevin Dougherty
Ian Kellems
Reagan Le
Drew Morgan
Allison Riser
James (Jim) Yon
The OSU Assist Advisory Group welcomes non-emergency comments and questions at [email protected].