Buckeyes are being asked to pledge their loyalty to protect Ohio State’s campus.

Students will be able to make a Scarlet and Gray Pledge to not observe or be involved in events that harm or damage the OSU community – specifically riots, said Jenny Klein, director of Residence Life.

Valdez Russell, hall director of Taylor Tower, came up with the idea because of the destructive and troubling behavior that happened last year. Russell and Klein are working together to inform students about this idea.

“He wanted to inspire students to have a positive impact on their community, and to invest in making Ohio State a better place,” Klein said.

Originally the pledge was just for students living in residence halls, but the aim is for all students to participate.

Starting Friday, students will be able to make the Scarlet and Gray Pledge to show their commitment to a positive community.

If a lot of students or larger organizations wear the ribbons to uphold the pledge, it will show the trouble-causing minority that people are tired of their behavior, Klein said.

“I think that some students don’t know how many others disapprove of their behavior. A recent survey showed that 85 percent of students believe that the riots last spring were an embarrassment to the university community. Most students don’t like the pattern of recent events. The Scarlet and Gray Pledge gives them an opportunity to express their opinion,” Klein said.

Some students seem skeptical of the pledge’s success. They say the people being targeted for the pledge aren’t the ones that are causing the trouble and students will be resistant to turn in their friends.

“I think it’s a nice thought, but I don’t think it’s going to prevent people that riot from rioting. It’s kind of like the prom promise. You sign up for it but half the people ignore it,” said Andrea Carmin, a junior in exercise science.

Klein said this isn’t the final solution to the problem, but it is a start.

“I think that there are many different things that need to happen to stop the pattern of riots that has developed,” Klein said. “This is one positive effort that may encourage students to think about how their behavior influences their community, and what kind of influence they would like to be.”