UNews - Student Affairs

Proactive approach to student mental health at the heart of R.E.C. Room initiative

trevor.kenney — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 20:55:32 +0000

A student with a healthy and positive state of mind is more likely to be engaged, successful and flourishing. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s newest strategy to enhance student mental health is the introduction of the R.E.C. Room — multi-site campus hubs designed to invite students to step away from the stress of study and research to relax their minds and connect with one another.

Introduced today in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium, the R.E.C. Room (an acronym for refresh, energize, connect) is a joint initiative funded by ULethbridge and created in consultation with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU), Student Affairs and in collaboration with Agility, Horns Recreation and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library. Like the giant Jenga game students can now play in the R.E.C. Room, multiple blocks of support must come together to promote flourishing.

“It’s imperative we proactively address students’ mental health needs and promote wellness at every opportunity,” says Dr. Mark Slomp, executive director of Student Services. “With mental health issues so prevalent amongst students, and the benefits of proactively addressing those issues so pronounced, it is in every school’s best interest to promote mental wellness on campus. Our investment in the mental health of our students carries the obvious short-term benefit of enhancing their student experience, and also supports student retention and in the end, leads to successful students who go on to positively impact their communities and society as a whole.”

So, where are the R.E.C. Rooms, what’s in them and who can use them?

The Rec Room locations include the UHall Atrium, Science Commons (outside the Innovation Zone), Markin Hall Atrium, Galileo’s in the Students’ Union, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library (just past the circulation desk), and the Chill Zone in Agility’s Innovation Zone.

The rooms will be equipped with a variety of activities, including quiet pursuits like puzzles, a giant chess board, virtual reality games, digital games and art hives/murals, Indigenous games, as well as some active games such as ping pong, foosball, air hockey and giant Jenga. If you feel like just relaxing, there will be bean bag chairs for reading, chatting or just zoning out. Horns Recreation will also be offering events as part of this initiative, such as the recent Yoga Rave, a dodge ball tournament and outdoor games (spring).

Open to all students, staff and faculty, the concept is to improve mental wellness throughout ULethbridge.

“Research tells us that people who have strong connections and relationships with others, engage in regular play and creative activity, build frequent exercise and physical activity into their lives, laugh, serve others and participate in spiritual activity report higher levels of life satisfaction,” says Slomp. “The spaces we are setting up across campus are designed to encourage these kinds of activities and habits and serve as a catalyst for students to consider how they are deliberately cultivating a flourishing life.”

The Students’ Union played a major role in identifying what activities would resonate with students.

“Students need more support, and the R.E.C. Rooms are a fun and innovative way for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the Students’ Union to support students holistically rather than just purely academically,” says Gage Desteur, Students’ Union vice-president academic. “I’m looking forward to the positive impact these spaces will have on our campus and on students’ overall well-being, especially as we continue to rebuild our campus community, now that we are fully back in person.”

The R.E.C. Rooms are open for activity on Feb. 1.

Buy A Student A Breakfast creates opportunity to support student food security

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:12:18 +0000

UPDATE: Goal achieved! Thanks to the generosity of the community, the goal of reaching 1,000 student breakfasts has been realized. As a result, the donation window will close at midnight, Nov. 29, 2022, with all funds raised over the goal amount donated to the Students' Union Food Bank.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community is coming together in support of student food security by kicking off the Buy A Student A Breakfast (BASAB) initiative today — Giving Tuesday. Every dollar donated will be matched by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to provide up to 500 breakfasts for a total of 1,000 student breakfasts, which will be distributed during the first week of final exams in December. Any funds raised in excess of the goal will be donated to the Students’ Union Food Bank.

Breakfast coupons will be handed out on both Lethbridge and Calgary campuses during the first week of final exams.

“Exam time is especially stressful for students, and many are facing food security issues. This initiative comes at a really important time,” says Kathleen Massey, ULethbridge vice-provost, students. “A campaign such as this is a great opportunity for our community and the community at large to show our students through a small gesture that they matter and we’re behind them.”

A 2017 study found that one in four ULethbridge students admitted to having run out of food without having the resources to buy more. Buy A Student A Breakfast allows community members to make a tangible impact on a student’s life for minimal investment. For one $24 gift, matched by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, eight students will receive coupons redeemable for one breakfast sandwich and one coffee or tea at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Tim Hortons or Urban Café (Lethbridge campus) and at Tim Hortons Calgary for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Calgary campus students.

The BASAB campaign begins today and continues through Thursday, December 8, 2022 (see update above). Coupons will then be distributed by the Student Affairs team throughout the first week of the final exam period, Dec. 12-16.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has been running the BASAB program since 2018 and has fed thousands of students over the years.

“We’ve received so much support from our alumni, our campus community and community partners and the students have always been so appreciative of the gesture,” adds Massey. “I think a lot of donors were looking for a way to connect with and support students that was immediate and would show them just how valued they are at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in our community.”

To give to the Buy A Student A Breakfast campaign, visit encompass.ulethbridge.ca/GivingTuesday2022.

Work2Learn creating opportunities for students through valuable on-campus roles

trevor.kenney — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:46:23 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is investing in its students through paid work-integrated learning positions in Student Affairs — and if the experiences of the first cohort of student employees is any indication, Work2Learn (W2L) is a huge success.

Established in Fall 2021, W2L provides work-integrated learning positions in Student Affairs for full-time, domestic undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The positions pay a competitive hourly rate for five to 10 hours of work per week. The first cohort of students worked from September through March with roles in Counselling Services, the Registrar’s Office, Student Enrolment and the Information Centre.

The skills the students acquire in their various W2L roles will serve them well into the future.

“This program is an investment in the future of our students and creates opportunities for them to build their professional lives and careers,” says Carrie Takeyasu, associate vice-president (finance). “And since it is targeted at students with demonstrated financial need, it meets two important objectives: providing quality work experience while reducing financial pressures.”

Over the past three years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has invested $550,000 in its W2L programming to ensure accessibility for its students.

Janey Deacon-Rosamond is in her fifth year at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and her first in the Faculty of Education. She was successful in earning a position in Counselling Services, and specifically in Sexual Violence Prevention Services where she was an ambassador creating outreach campaigns, planning events and giving presentations. She says the program was just what she needed.

“I was working my dream job,” she says. “I want to work in education and outreach, and this was an amazing learning opportunity and steppingstone. I feel like this job experience really built up my professional toolbox.”

Being able to work on campus and earn more than minimum wage provided Deacon-Rosamond the flexibility she needed to maintain her demanding school schedule.

“I was able to finally afford fresh produce, it was awesome,” she exclaims. “The work hours being so flexible were amazing, especially since I was in my first year of education. I didn’t have the time to work any other part-time jobs because of the course load and my class schedule.”

The skills the students acquired in their various roles will serve them well into the future and open doors when they are ready to enter the workforce. They were also able to add the worked hours to their MyExperience Transcript.

“I benefited from this experience because I got to expand my skill set,” says Erika Vossebelt, a first-year psychology major who had a position in Career Bridge. “I have customer service experience but in a completely different industry. I feel that this really enriched my skills, grew my confidence, and helped me be more introspective about what I enjoy and do not enjoy in a job, and why. It really gave me clarity about myself and the types of jobs I am likely to prefer.”

Work-2-Learn is now taking applications for the next cohort of students who will begin work in May, with further roles to be posted in the summer for September start dates. Available positions include working in Counselling Services, Student Enrolment and Registrar’s Office, Career Bridge, The Agility Zone, and the Accommodated Learning Centre. Students can apply through the MyExperience website (search Work2Learn).

“We were really pleased with the feedback we received from students who participated in W2L this past year,” says Mark Slomp, executive director of Student Services. “Everyone who participated commented enthusiastically about the value of the program to their personal, academic, and professional lives. We are excited to build on this success in the year ahead.”

New Student Orientation takes on even more significance for first-year students

trevor.kenney — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 15:35:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is welcoming over 1,990 new students into the fold this fall, and the themes of welcoming, informing and lessening anxiety remain the same — even if the experience has moved online.

Asheley Cowie and her Student Affairs team put together more than 1,900 welcome boxes for new students.

“New Student Orientation (NSO) has always been a crucial first step for new students because it lays the foundation for their engagement with campus and their learning,” says Asheley Cowie, coordinator of orientation and transition in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Student Affairs team. “NSO is a chance for students to learn how things work at uLethbridge, meet faculty and staff and other new students.

“It’s a time for new students to feel excited to be starting university and should smooth the transition to campus life and the independence that comes with this. This year, it’s even more important for students to take part in NSO given that building connections to staff, faculty and other students will be essential when learning in a primarily virtual setting.”

NSO 2020, running Aug. 31 through Sept. 8, has been designed to meet students in the virtual space, supported by a welcome box that began arriving at students’ residences earlier this week. Packed with all the essentials to get the academic year off to a great start, the boxes include:

Fall 2020-specific student services and support department resources
Commencement coin and page
Faculty-specific information and giveaways
NSO giveaways
U of L ID card (if submitted)

Current students who are part of Cowie’s transition team helped design and build the packages. Having been through the first-year experience, they lent a valuable perspective to the exercise.

“In my first year, NSO provided me with my first true sense of belonging at the U of L,” says Courtney Derksen, a fourth-year science student and current student mentor on Cowie’s team. “Attending the sessions and meeting staff and students helped me feel more confident in beginning my university experience. I hope students who receive a box feel the connection and support that I did when I attended NSO.”

With box in hand, students are sent to the NSO 2020 welcome web page where the virtual experience takes off. Once there, students are able to learn about all the available student services, given a road map to help them understand who to ask for support both in and outside of their courses and learn about the academic expectations of being a first-year university student.

Student mentors, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ staff and individual faculty members are also available to new students through a variety of virtual sessions scheduled throughout the week. The sessions include everything from how to order and pick up textbooks, student life in Lethbridge, tutoring and working on campus opportunities, to individual faculty meet and greets and more.

“Starting university is a huge transition for all new students, but it is fair to say starting university from home during a global pandemic creates additional stressors,” says Cowie. “We want students to know we created this NSO understanding they are uncertain and hopefully our support will help them get the best possible start. New students normally have a lot of questions, and this year will not be an exception, so we want to ease as many concerns and provide as much support as we can from day one.”

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