Support and Services for a Strong Spring Semester

Volume 1, Issue 5 • January 27, 2022

This newsletter is published by the Division of Student Affairs as a communication tool for our parents and families to stay informed.

a female student is shown taking a photo of President Cooper and Dr. Slandie at the Dunkin in the Campus Union

During a study break before finals in December, students enjoyed taking photos of and being served by Dunkin' celebrity baristas Student Government President Ari Sussi (left), President

Mary-Beth Cooper (center), and Vice President for Student Affairs Slandie Dieujuste (right).

Greetings from the Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Parents and Families:

We are excited to welcome our students back to campus for the spring semester. While we wish we were in a different place with COVID-19, we continue to remain optimistic that our multi-layered mitigation strategies will allow us to have an as normal as possible in-person experience. As you can see from the many initiatives outlined in this newsletter, the pandemic has not slowed us down in our quest to create meaningful learning experiences for students. We ask that you continue to partner with us in not only reminding your student to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, but in also encouraging them to take full advantage of what Springfield College has to offer.

As always, we are a phone call or email away.

Sincerely,

Slandie Dieujuste, PhD

Follow me on Instagram @Dr.Slandie.

a montage of three photos showing a female student at a Hannukah celebration students being led in prayer in the meditation room and a student lighting candle at a Diwali celebration

Spirit of the Triangle

Staff of the Office of Spiritual Life look forward to welcoming students back to campus. In a year which has been marked by numerous “firsts” on campus in religious life (e.g., our first full celebrations of Dashain and Diwali in the fall), the spring semester brings many opportunities for reflection and celebration for students of all religious backgrounds. In addition to Lent, Holi, and Passover, the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, begins April 2. This is the first time in a long while that Ramadan, marked by Muslims with fasting and reflection, falls fully within the regular academic year. The staff of the Office of Spiritual Life is committed to assisting students in their religious and spiritual lives, and their holistic development in spirit, mind, and body.

While we await the completion of renovations to Marsh Chapel, our weekly services, Halftime and Catholic Mass, continue in the Harold C. Smith Presentation Room in Judd Gymnasia. Friday prayers for our Muslim students continue in the Meditation Room in the Flynn Campus Union.

We encourage all students, whatever their religious or spiritual background–or lack thereof–to join us for further engagement in the spirit side of the Triangle. To connect with our chaplains, please visit our staff web page. For up-to-date information regarding our services and programs, be sure to follow us on social media:

Instagram @scspirituallife

Twitter @SCSpiritualLife

Facebook SCSpiritualLife

No Team? No Problem!

Campus Recreation offers roughly 10-12 intramural sports per semester. We’re excited to start the semester with basketball (women’s, men’s and coed), cornhole, and futsal (men’s and coed). Any student who is interested in a particular sport(s), but does not have a team, can register as a free agent and we will assist them in finding a team. Have your student reach out to Tom Verrico, our director of intramural and club sports, at tverrico@springfield.edu.

photo of the front of Alumni Hall taken during the daytime

Housing News

Having just moved back in, it's hard to believe that room selection for next year will begin soon. Current students will be able to choose their own housing for the upcoming academic year through a series of online processes in February and March. It all starts with the housing contract, which is currently available, under “My Housing” (via PrideNET), and the Housing Expo (new this year) where students can get all the information they need, tour residence halls, get a tutorial on the online selection process, earn prizes, and more. The Housing Expo will be scheduled in the early evening at a date in February to be determined (check upcoming emails for the date). Students should keep a close eye on email during the spring semester for detailed timelines and instructions for a successful housing selection process.

Is your student looking for a leadership opportunity where they can make a difference while earning free room and board? We are now accepting applications for resident assistant (RA) positions for 2022-23. The online application is due on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The RA position will not only provide your student with the opportunity to connect with and influence peers in a positive and meaningful way, but it also will help sharpen their time management, communication, budgeting, and conflict resolution skills.

Food Insecurity

Springfield College has joined the National Swipe Out Hunger Program to assist students experiencing food insecurity. This program allows students with meal plans to donate unused meals that can then be released to students without such plans who are in need of meals. Students can donate meals through the Get App on their phones and also can request meals through a link that will be available on PrideNET.

Additionally, the Pride Pantry (our on-campus food pantry) has moved into the Campus Union where the Marketplace was located (right across from the Career Center) on the main level. The pantry will be open several days during the week and will continue to offer online ordering and curbside pickup. These programs are coordinated by the Center for Service and Leadership. The Pride Pantry accepts food and monetary donations on an ongoing basis. For donation information and questions, contact Charlene Elvers, director of the Center for Service and Leadership, at celvers@springfield.edu.

a female Harvest Table employee holding a custom made apron is standing next to a group of four female students holding bags filled with gifts made for Harvest Table employees

Humanics in Action Club Members Thank Harvest Table Employees

The student-led Humanics in Action Club recently focused one of their weekly service projects on making personalized holiday care packages for all 140 Harvest Table staff members. The gifts were hand-delivered by the students as a personalized “Thank You” moment.

Read more about this project.

Upcoming Events, Activities, and Athletic Competitions

A new semester brings new opportunities for engagement. If your student is looking for something to do, encourage them to visit the athletic calendar and the programming calendar for ideas.

Veterans and Military Services Center

The Veterans and Military Services Center opened in the fall of 2021 to provide a space for military-connected students, faculty, staff, and alumni at Springfield College. The center provides access to a full kitchen, quiet study areas, and small group meeting spaces. Veterans and their dependents can stop in during open hours and access resources or ask questions regarding military/veteran services within the College or community. Local ROTC representatives will hold office hours at the center for students currently involved in ROTC as well as students who may be interested in joining this program. As the center develops, a schedule of events and programs will be provided. The center is a flexible and welcoming space for all military-connected students and their families. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon-4 p.m. at 272 Middlesex St. (the corner of Middlesex and Alden streets).

Optional COVID Testing Continues

The College is continuing to offer our free optional COVID testing for all students and employees for the spring semester. While testing provides a “snapshot” in time, we hope this information helps students feel more confident they are doing all they can to protect their family, friends, and campus community. All testing will take place in our testing center (239 Wilbraham Ave.).

Mondays: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Results should be available within 24-48 hours following the test. As a reminder, if your student is feeling ill, please encourage them not to go to class and not to engage in activities. They also should consult the Health Center staff or their primary care provider.

photo of a corner of an office with a tan chair dark brown bookshelf and light brown table with the words Counseling Corner in white on a maroon strip at the bottom of the picture

Greetings and Happy New Year to all our parents and caregivers! It is our wish that 2022 was ushered in with love, hope, and safety for all of you.

Your student may have come home feeling exhausted, depleted, or relieved.

We want to highlight ways to communicate with your student now that they are back at school in a manner that facilitates connection by centering compassion in communication. Curiosity goes a long way in assisting our students in practicing

self-compassion.

Maybe exams didn’t go as well as expected. Shifts in romantic relationships or friendships could be happening. Remind your student that everyone has different needs and most people are doing their best, including them. Comparison is a trap that can lead to feelings of inadequacy or a sense of failure. Remind your student that they bring a unique set of gifts to the world and to our community. Challenge their thoughts of self-doubt gently but help them to understand feelings aren’t facts.

All feelings are temporary. Assisting a student in this reality can help them garner more emotional tolerance. Ask more open-ended questions, listen with an open mind and heart. Most importantly, extend compassion to yourself as well.

a photo of two spotlights shining on the words Spotlight on student affairs

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

Charlene Elvers:

Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership Director Charlene Elvers was recognized at the 2021 BusinessWest Women of Impact celebration at the Springfield Sheraton on Thursday, Dec. 9. Elvers was part of a cohort being recognized for being leaders in our community who have vision, passion, drive to excel, and a desire to put their considerable talents to work mentoring and helping others.