Office of Student Life
Student Activities

Event Planning Resources

Step-by-step Event Planning Checklist

  • Define the event's purpose
  • Select the location
  • Plan the timeline
  • Size the event

Event Risk Level Tool

This tool helps student organizations plan events safely and smoothly. By answering a few quick questions, you'll know what level of support or review (if any) your event needs.

Step 1: Answer a few quick questions

For your event, count one point for each statement that applies:

  1. The event is open to non-members or the general public
  2. The event will take place on campus
  3. More than 50 people are expected to attend
  4. Minors (under age 18) will be present
  5. Equipment, tools, or special materials will be used

Step 2: Determine Risk Level

Your total number of "yes" answers helps identify the level of planning and support your event may need. 

  • 0-1 points
    • low risk
    • no action needs to be taken
  • 2-3 points
    • medium risk
    • Advisor review is recommended
  • 4-5 points
    • High Risk
    • A meeting with Events and Conference and Risk and Emergency Management is required 

Clery Reporting & Registration

  • As part of Ohio State's compliance with federal law, student organizations primary leaders are asked to submit information about their off-campus events through the Student Organization Management System. We collect this information to comply with Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, and student organization activities are included in the University's efforts to collect and share information in accordance with the law. If your organization hosted an off-campus event and controlled space for a period of time in the calendar year that we're in, you should log the event. The event only counts if your organization had a written agreement (paper or electronic) indicating you had exlucisve use of the space. Any off-campus gathering that attendees would consider sponsored by or associated with your organization, regardless of whether it was open/public versus closed/private, could qualify and should be submitted for review. Primary leaders can log into the Student Organization Management System to log events by clicking on the Clery Reporting link once logged in. 

Quick Links:

Looking for more

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