Dear Gators,
It has now been over a month since we were all on campus together. It has been over a month since we began sheltering in place and your classrooms became virtual environments. It has been over a month since many of you left your residence halls; and over a month since we’ve gathered together as a vibrant campus community. This has not been easy. But you, our students, remain at the top of my thoughts, and I hope that you and your loved ones are well.
Please know that even though we may not be together physically, SF State remains committed to delivering as many student services and learning opportunities as possible while operating remotely due to the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While you are now settling into your new virtual classroom routine, I want to remind you that in addition to your courses, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management (SAEM) continues to provide a number of remote student services and opportunities for you to stay connected to the campus community, interact with your peers and receive support in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Our campus Basic Needs office continues to support students struggling with basic needs, and is keeping updated on supportive services such as the Income Benefits for College Students resource created by a San Francisco nonprofit organization, John Burton Advocates for Youth;
- The Black Unity Center is hosting a variety of virtual programs for students to decompress and be in community with the staff, as well as a Community Town Hall that will address how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Black communities throughout the United States.
- Campus Recreation is livestreaming group fitness classes;
- Career Services & Leadership Development is moving forward with a virtual Career Fair, while continuing to provide workshops and career counseling appointments;
- Counseling & Psychological Services is conducting appointments with Clinical Counselors virtually via telehealth;
- The Dean on Call program continues to meet with and provide support to students who are experiencing difficulties navigating the changing university environment during this time;
- Health Promotion & Wellness is offering virtual workshops on self-care and healthy eating on a budget, among others;
- Residential Life is hosting LIVE events on their Facebook page to answer housing-related questions; and
- Student Life is hosting a number of virtual gatherings such as “Lunch with Leaders” and “Spill the Tea with Dean Danny G”, where you can engage and learn from university leaders.
These are just a few of the ways SAEM is helping you stay engaged in our university community as we continue to #stayathome and #shelterinplace. SAEM knows the overall educational experience goes far beyond the traditional classroom and we will continue providing opportunities for you to remain connected, progress with your educational goals, and help you address any challenges you may be experiencing in this new reality.
While we do not know when we’ll be able to return to our classrooms, residence halls or campus library, I want you to know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Your campus community is still here to support you through this period of uncertainty, and we will get through this together.
If you’re anything like me, connecting with others has become even more important to my daily life while sheltering in place, so I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to remain involved, and reach out to me or anyone in SAEM if you need support. SAEM is a passionate group of educators who are dedicated to your success and well-being. I look forward to returning to an energetic campus and seeing your faces in the near future, so please continue to take good care of yourselves.
Be well,
Beth Hellwig, PhD (she/her/hers), Interim Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management