"It is widely accepted that health and well-being are essential elements for effective learning."
El Ansari & Stock, 2010
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We hope you had a great summer and are ready for fall – it’s almost here! Wellness is going to be as important as ever this semester as the pandemic continues. We are all experiencing a level of shared trauma related to the pandemic, particularly as we deal with uncertainty about the new variants and how they will impact University operations. Data from our Spring 2021 National College Health Assessment survey indicate that nearly a quarter (23%) of students have lost someone close to them due to COVID. This semester, this newsletter will include some strategies for trauma-informed teaching. We also encourage you to take good care of yourself during this time!
See below for a few wellness strategies to start your semester off.
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Announcements
Confidential Campus Advocate
My name is Laura and I am Sac State’s Confidential campus advocate. I work for WEAVE in Sacramento CA, and our mission is to promote safe and healthy relationships while supporting survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. I am partnered with Sac State to be an embedded advocate supporting students at Sac State who are survivors. I provide advocacy, accompaniment, resources and information about campus programs, connections to counseling and any accommodations students may need to be as successful while accessing their education.
I also provide prevention-focused presentations and trainings on topics such as: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Bystander Intervention, Affirmative Consent, Engaging Men and Boys, Greek Life specific and more. These presentations and trainings educate our campus on vital topics that impact folks in our lives on campus and within our community. Learning about prevention brings awareness and a chance to cultivate change. Below are brief learning outcomes from each presentation so you have the chance to learn a little bit more about what each presentation has to offer. For a presentation request please call or email the Confidential Campus Advocate at 916-278-5850 / weave@csus.edu
COVID Vaccinations
Student Health and Counseling Services is continuing to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations (Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer). Students may make an appointment by visiting their Patient Portal. Faculty and staff can learn how to schedule an appointment here.
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Strategies*
- Take time to introduce yourself during your first class and learn a little bit about your students’ needs [Get to Know Your Prof]
- Have students introduce themselves during the first class or use a social connectedness start-up activity [Virtual Icebreakers]
- Create class guidelines to respect difference and create a safe place for discussion. [Resource]
- Recognize the more tasks do not always equate to more learning.
- Add a syllabus statement or Canvas page highlighting wellness resources. Here are some suggested statements:
Stress is a common part of the university experience. Additional stress and feelings of loneliness or isolation are particularly common now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please connect with your supervisor or other campus resources if you are struggling. Key campus support resources include Student Health & Counseling Services, the PRIDE, Multicultural, Women’s Resource, Dreamer Resource, and MLK Centers, and the Peer & Academic Resource Center. Student Organizations and Leadership also offers ways to get engaged with other students through organizations and clubs.
If you are experiencing challenges with food, housing, financial or other unique circumstances that are impacting your education, help is just a phone call or email away! The CARES office provides case management support for any enrolled student. Email the CARES office at cares@csus.edu to speak with a case manager about the resources available to you. Check out the CARES website. The ASI Food Pantry also provides free food to students in need.
For students experiencing sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual harassment, the Confidential Campus Advocate provides confidential support, resources, referrals, accommodations, and accompaniment. The Advocate may be reached at (916) 278-5850 or weave@csus.edu. Students may also file a report with the Office of Equal Opportunity at (916) 278-5770 / equalopportunity@csus.edu or the Sacramento State Police Department at (916) 278-6000.
The full Wellness in the Classroom toolkit may be found here.
*Adapted from Simon Fraser University’s “Well-Being in Learning Environments” program.
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Self-Care
Take care of yourself during bad air quality days by staying indoors as much as possible and avoiding exerting yourself outside. To get some exercise at home, try signing up for virtual fitness class from The WELL.
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The "Wellness in the Classroom: Faculty Influence on Student Wellbeing and Success" project seeks to provide faculty with the tools and resources to create conditions for student wellbeing and optimal learning in the classroom.
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