An overview of the adaptations that the Division of Student Affairs has made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adaptations for COVID-19 Pandemic
Basic Needs
- Transition to availability of bi-weekly drive-up access to pre-packaged food from pantry available to students who remained in Athens.
- Unique donations from campus partners, Athens and alumni communities (funds, food, supplies, gift cards, etc.)
- Expanded the Emergency Microgrants program to collaborate with Advancement on targeted fundraising to address COVID-19 needs.
- Provided on-campus housing for students who could not leave campus.
Involvement
- Established virtual involvement website with hundreds of activities to do from home.
- Hosted over 200 graduating seniors for graduation weekend.
- Student Senate held regular, virtual meetings on schedule and open to the public; elected interim officers until in-person classes resume.
- Student organizations pivoted to online platforms for continued engagement with members. Example: spiritual life organizations.
Well-being
- Launched new virtual resource for all Bobcats providing access and educational resources to promote wellness; health, self-care and connection.
- Adapted well-being resource page with education and recreation connections.
- New well-being focused .
- Offered virtual, biweekly meetings for students in recovery from substance abuse (Health Promotion).
- Continued to offer Health Promotion workshops and resources to university partners virtually via Teams and Zoom.
Career Services
- Transitioned one-on-one services to online platform and promoting continued access to Handshake resource.
- Continue to offer career workshops by recording and presenting virtually.
- Offered virtual employer recruitment for Teacher Job Fair, exploring platforms for future virtual career fairs.
Mental Health
- Secured telehealth resource for students dealing with anxiety.
- Offered virtual program to help seniors process grief over loss of final semester.
- Survivors of sexual violence encouraged to access resources and support through teleadvocacy.
- Survivor Advocacy Program advocates continuing to offer meetings through secure online platform, use of white noise machines for confidentiality, etc.
Housing
- Facilitated expedited move-out execution utilizing advanced scheduling to abide by physical distancing protocols.
- Continued engagement of residential students through the outreach of remote resident assistants and professional staff.
- Developed a remote call center supported by professional and student staff to ensure continuity of service during the pandemic.
- Successfully facilitated the student room selection process for the 2020-2021 academic year utilizing completely remote staff and procedures.
Food
- Provided modified meal plans for students remaining on campus including meal delivery.
- Transitioned campus dining to an expedited pick-up procedure to abide by physical distancing protocols and safety procedures.
- Provided favorite culinary recipes and cooking tutorials for those pivoting to home cooking.
- Donated $10,565 in food to Cat’s Cupboard and Athens Food Rescue.
Student Responsibility
- Transitioned conduct meetings online.
- Communicated state guidelines and restrictions related to COVID-19 to students remaining on campus.
Communication
- Led development of short-term student and parent email publications providing institution updates and virtual resources. Example: support recommendations/tips for parents.
- Led initiation of university-wide wellness newsletter, and corresponding wellness website.
- Transitioned content to cover immediate needs/concerns of students and families.
- Adapted messaging schedule and frequency.
- Division leadership hosted weekly virtual open forums to address employee concerns.
Social Media
- Adapted social media strategy to address audience concerns through frequent and active social listening.
- Provided opportunities for virtual celebration, including interactions with and five specific suggestions.
Campus & Community Service
- Created more than 3,000 fabric masks to ensure campus and regional employees had access to a face covering at work.
- Partnered with officials from the city of Athens and off-campus landlords to develop a coordinated move-out process for off-campus students.
- Supported CENSUS 2020 efforts by submitting eResponse for over 6,400 on campus students.