Friday Focus: Support programs for students

Oct. 22, 2021

— by Ali Knabe, interim vice chancellor for students

October can be an incredibly stressful time for our campus community. The days are getting colder, midterms are upon us, and we are losing daylight quickly. Covid-19 has added to that stress for many. However, in Student Affairs, we gear up annually for this month and are here for you. UAF has many resources, programs, and trained staff to support the mental and physical health needs of our students.

Whether you are a UAF student or an employee who works with students, it’s important to know what resources and supports are available. I’ve listed some of the resources available within Student Affairs. This list is not exhaustive, but I hope it gives you a sense of the breadth and depth of services available at UAF. I encourage you to look into these and the many other support services offered at UAF, become familiar so that if you ever need to, you will know where to go or where to refer others when experiencing challenges.  

The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities

If you are concerned about a student, submit a concern with CSRR for the CARE team. We have an entire team of faculty and staff committed to removing barriers some students may experience while accessing their education. Just as every student has unique experiences and backgrounds, the CARE team will cater their approach to the individual. Regardless of how CARE connects with the student, the goal is always the same — a holistic approach to supporting students’ lives inside and outside the classroom. 

Early intervention and access to needed resources are essential when helping students. If you are unsure whether or not the concern or behavior rises to the level of the Student Care process, go ahead and contact us. We would rather offer resources to a student who may not need them than leave a struggling student unsupported.

The CSRR is also available to consult with staff and faculty regarding:  

• classroom behaviors or issues that involve students
• mediation between students when the learning environment is impacted; assistance with boundary setting, including student expectations of faculty
• mask and other policy violations or risk-taking behaviors

Student Health and Counseling

In addition to providing medical and counseling services to students by appointment, the Student Health and Counseling Center provides educational and preventative outreach programming to the UAF community. Programming may include training on suicide prevention, recognizing signs and symptoms of students of concern and how to effectively refer, or workshops on various mental health topics such as test anxiety, stress and coping, resilience and relationship issues, or by specific request. 

The SHCC also provides consultation services for the UAF community. Consultation may involve evaluating and supporting the intervention of UAF faculty and staff in managing difficult situations effectively (e.g., traumatic events, grief debriefing) with individuals of concern. Consultation is available for staff, faculty, and students by calling the SHCC on weekdays from 1-2 p.m. and asking to speak to a counselor.

“Taking Charge of Your Headspace”

This is a skills-based workshop that focuses on stress management and coping while a college student. This series is available to all students, regardless of eligibility. Workshops are topical, so you can attend one or attend them all. Workshops are held virtually. 

• Oct. 19: Resiliency — What is it?
• Oct. 26: Setting Healthy Boundaries
• Nov. 2: Mastering Your Memory — Preparing for Finals
• Nov. 9: Coping with Depression and Anxiety
• Nov. 16: Study Skills and Test Anxiety
• Nov. 23: Time and Stress Management
• Nov. 30: Self-Care and Coping
• Dec. 7: Wellness, Healthy Diet and Exercise

“Mindful Mondays”

Mindful Mondays is an open drop-in group for UA students interested in learning about and practicing mindfulness. This group is open to all students, regardless of eligibility, and will meet virtually. This group is topical, so you can join in one class or join them all! 

• Oct. 25: Mindfulness of Emotions
• Nov. 1: Mindfulness of Thoughts
• Nov. 8: Mindful Minute — Short exercises for when you only have a minute
• Nov. 15: Self-compassion and Lovingkindness — What are they, and how do I practice them?
• Nov. 22: Radical Acceptance and Gratitude
• Nov. 29: FAQs and why you are not doing it wrong!!
• Dec. 6: Resources for further exploration

Center for Student Engagement 

The CSE provides programming and leadership opportunities to all UAF students. This includes programs that connect students outside of the classroom in educational and social ways. CSE also has a variety of services for students.

• ASUAF offers one free 30-minute legal consultation with a local attorney per semester 
• Students who are experiencing food insecurity can visit the food pantry in Wood Center 
• NDAC Prevention and Wellness often has self-care activities planned, or students can stop by their office across from the Pub to connect with a peer-prevention educator.

Nanook Recreation

Gym, pool, ice rink, sauna, climbing wall, and outdoor rental gear and ski passes are all available through Nanook Recreation, along with access to virtual programming.

Disability Services

Students with a diagnosed disability may work with Disability Services to determine a reasonable academic accommodation. A reasonable accommodation allows a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance or enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to similarly situated students without disabilities. 

With all of these programs, services and supports (and much more available throughout UAF), I hope that you will reach out and encourage others to do the same, to take advantage of these tools.

Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week.