Volume 2, Issue 3 • December 7, 2022 This newsletter is published by the Division of Student Affairs as a communication tool for our parents and families to stay informed.

Greetings from the Vice President for Student Affairs Dear Parents and Families:   I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of the fall term. Our students have faced challenges through the course of the semester and have grown in countless ways as a result. We celebrate their successes both in and out of the classroom. As we prepare to close the door on 2022, we look forward to 2023 and the opportunities that it will bring.   This final newsletter of the semester contains important information and deadlines for you and your student. As always, please reach out if we can be of assistance to you: studentaffairs@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3100.    Sincerely, Slandie Dieujuste, PhD   Follow me on Instagram @Dr.Slandie.  Pictured above: Vice President for Student Affairs Slandie Dieujuste (top left), Spirit, and Student Government Association President Doug Wydom (bottom center), put their best faces forward greeting students at a recent undergraduate open house.

It’s very common for students to be extra stressed around this time of year. Final exams, papers, and projects are looming at the end of the semester. Too often students will miss out on sleep in favor of studying, skip taking care of themselves, and leave campus for break exhausted, sick, and worn out. Stress impacts our ability to do well on our academic work, affects our relationships, and makes us more vulnerable to getting ill.   You can encourage your student to manage their stress in healthy ways all the time, but especially over the next few weeks. Some things that help are getting enough sleep, moving our bodies regularly, fueling up with healthy meals and snacks, taking time to decompress, and talking with someone supportive. What might this look like for a student? If your student is stressed and wants to talk, encourage them to call you and go out for a walk at the same time. Text them to say goodnight and remind them to turn off their laptop and get some sleep. Send a care package (or order them something for online delivery) with some of their favorite healthy snacks and an activity that might cheer them up and allow them some distraction time. There are still plenty of fun activities happening on campus during this time; encourage your student to spend quality time with their Springfield friends before leaving for break. If stress becomes more than they can handle, always encourage them to reach out to all the campus resources.   Follow Health Promotion on Instagram for more tips and tricks.

Upcoming Events, Activities, and Athletic Competitions You may be hearing from your student that they are burnt out from studying for tests and writing papers. While you most likely can’t help with either of those tasks, you can encourage them to check out the athletic calendar and the programming calendar for study break ideas.

Housing News

Winter break is quickly approaching! All residence halls will close for winter break at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 and re-open at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 17. If a student needs to stay on campus during any part of winter break (whether staying late or requesting to return early), they must submit a Break Housing Application (via their PrideNET account). Due to halls closing, ID card access to their current hall will be turned off. The residence halls will not be accessible to students during the break. We encourage everyone to make sure they bring all necessary items (passports, medications, phone chargers, laptops, etc.) home with them when they leave for break. Card access will be granted only to students who have submitted the Break Housing Application on time. Student requests are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Please note that dining services will not be available. There are no guests or alcohol permitted during the break (regardless of age). There is a charge to stay over the break of $200 per week and break housing fees are not prorated per day. Students are responsible for closing and locking all windows, removing garbage/recycling, turning off the lights, unplugging all electronic items, and all other items listed in the break closing checklist that is placed on the outside of each student’s room/suite door. If you or your student have any questions, please call us at (413) 748-3102 (we are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or email us at reslife@springfield.edu.

Hours of Operation for Finals Week and Beyond  With the end of the semester and the departure of the majority of students from campus, we will be making temporary changes to hours of operation for some facilities on campus. Please review the latest information on when select buildings will be open. We look forward to the beginning of the semester on Jan. 18 and the return of regular hours of operation.

Weathering Cold, Flu, and COVID Season As the seasons change, we often see an increase in viral illnesses among students and staff. During this time, it is especially important for your student to take care of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Tips for Your Student to Stay Healthy Get a flu vaccine and stay up to date on the COVID-19 booster. Vaccines are readily available at local pharmacies. Students can schedule an appointment and utilize the weekend shuttle service to the Holyoke Mall (CVS inside Target), Walmart plaza or Stop & Shop plaza. Frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Stay home if you are sick and avoid being around others who are sick. Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Avoid sharing food and drink. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.   Despite following all the above measures, your student may still get sick. Mild symptoms and illnesses can often be self-managed with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplies.   Important Medications and Supplies to Have on Hand OTC cold and decongestants medications OTC pain and fever relievers Throat and cough lozenges Tissues and saline nasal spray Comfort foods such as tea, soups, and electrolyte drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.)   The Health Center staff is available, by appointment, to evaluate and offer guidance and treatment for any student feeling ill. Students can call (413) 748-3175 to schedule an appointment. Onsite flu, COVID, and strep testing is available.

Career Center  As the fall semester soon comes to an end, the Career Center staff would like to thank the families of our talented students for referring them our way. If your student has not visited the Career Center, please recommend that they schedule an appointment with us. While students are away from campus over the winter break, urge them to schedule a phone or Zoom appointment with a Career Center counselor. If your student is local and prefers to come to campus, we look forward to meeting with them in person.   Over the winter break, we recommend students: Connect with employers to schedule informational interviews to gain further knowledge of their intended career industry, Attend local networking and professional development events, and Outreach to employers about future internship opportunities and summer jobs that align with their upcoming full-time career path.   The Career Center can support students with all of their career development needs. Please have conversations with your student and ask them where they currently are in their career preparation.   Working with a career counselor can help students: Decide on an appropriate major, Make informed career decisions, Explore internships, Learn how to conduct a professional job search, Create resumes and cover letters, Develop effective interviewing techniques, Prepare for the transition to the workforce, and Assist with graduate school advising.   Great gifts for students of all class years include: Professional suits and business attire, Professional footwear, Padfolio to bring to interviews, and Electronic devices such as touchscreen tablets.   We look forward to working with your student. They can schedule an appointment by calling (413) 748-3222 or by emailing career@springfield.edu or learn more on our Web page and social channels (Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook).

For many of you, Thanksgiving break gave you a small glimpse into how your student has developed/changed/grown the last few months while they were here at Springfield College. For some, you are looking for more connection. For others, you are hoping the few weeks during the upcoming break goes better. Here are some tips we have found to be helpful for the time in between semesters. When your student first returns home, they will likely be tired, maybe even exhausted, and may need more time than usual to catch up on sleep. Also know that students are often eager to reconnect with their high school and hometown friends, sometimes more than with their families. In addition, understand that your student has been operating largely independently -- sleeping, eating, and coming and going as they want. For many students, re-entering the family dynamic may feel restrictive.  Know that your student may not be ready to discuss all aspects of school. Some students just want to be home, taking a break, and not thinking about school. Understand that your student may struggle with feeling like they don’t belong fully at school and don't belong fully at home. Your student may want to be embraced by their old family life yet may also long for the independence of school. This break is part of the process of your student negotiating who they are and who they want to be. While there may be some bumps in the proverbial road, be patient, be kind, and assume good intent -- your student will find their way and your family will be better for it!

New Year, New Job! With the start of the spring semester, some campus offices and departments will be hiring additional student employees. The benefits and value of working on campus far surpass the actual paycheck. Working on campus will allow your student to build long-lasting connections with fellow students, staff, and faculty while learning more about Springfield College. Additionally, students gain valuable transferable skills that will assist them in their academic coursework, future internships/fieldwork, summer employment opportunities, as well as in their long-term future career endeavors. Have conversations with your student about potentially securing an on-campus position -- the work hours are manageable while they also balance academic, athletic, volunteer, and other commitments.   Tips to Navigate the On-campus Student Employment Process Springfield College students can access on-campus student employment opportunities under the ‘Student Employment’ tab within PrideNET. They should routinely check the portal for additional positions that become available. Most on-campus student employment opportunities require federal work-study eligibility. Before students can view job openings, a job application form -- located under the “My Application Form” link -- needs to be completed. Follow up ASAP! Once your student has applied for positions in the portal, advise them to follow up with the hiring managers in order to express their interest in their positions and to inquire about next steps in the application/review process.

We’re excited to share with you the wonderful work that students and staff within the Division of Student Affairs are doing.

Equestrian Extraordinaire

Kaitlyn Kupiec, Class of 2025 and a communications/sports journalism major, is a member of the Springfield College Equestrian Team. She competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) in the highest division. As a first-year student in 2021-22, she qualified for regionals, zones, and nationals.   Kaitlyn’s journey to nationals began by qualifying for regionals and earning at least 28 points in each of her divisions during the five regular season shows. Kaitlyn placed second in both of her classes at regionals to qualify for zones; she again placed second during zones, which qualified her for nationals. At nationals, Kaitlyn finished 13th while representing the Springfield College Equestrian Team and our club sport program.

About the Division of Student Affairs The Division of Student Affairs aims to foster an engaging and inclusive co-curricular learning environment where students grow as leaders while exploring, understanding, and living the Humanics philosophy. The Division is comprised of the following offices and programs: Spiritual Life, Community Standards, Health Promotion, Dean of Students, Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives, Title IX, Undergraduate Student Orientation Programs, Career Center, Counseling Center, Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities and Campus Union, Campus Recreation, Center for Service and Leadership, Veterans and Military Services Center, and the Health Center.

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