October 2021 | Georgia Southern University - Student Affairs E-Newsletter

The Division of Student Affairs cultivates an inclusive environment to advance students' holistic development through intentional learning and transformative engagement.

A Message from our VP

Is it really October already? It is hard to believe that we are approaching the halfway point of the semester! I appreciate all you do for our students and the things you do to foster an engaging campus environment. The Georgia Southern experience would not be the same without you!!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 event. I included a picture in the banner above that I had taken with two Division of Student Affairs colleagues who were recognized this weekend. Dr. Lauren Patterson and Maurice Nelson were honored this weekend as two of the 40 Under 40 alumni! Maurice is now working at Yale University in the School of Nursing and Dr. Patterson is a psychologist in the Counseling Center. You make us all proud of your accomplishments! During the program, the Alumni Association showed a video with students making recommendations to alumni what they should not do once they turn 40. I think it was hilarious; you can view it HERE.

I hope you set aside time to enjoy the fall weather and spend time with your loved ones this month. Read on for highlights of the great work our division is accomplishing this fall and learn more about other program updates.

Go Eagles!

Professional Development Opportunities

Join us at the USG Diversity & Inclusion Summit 2021

Virtual • October 29 • 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Keynote Heather McGhee

Designer and promoter of solutions to inequality in America.

Heather will be speaking about her book The Sum of Us. Learn more about Heather McGhee.

Register Today

The University of West Georgia has an opportunity for you to attend an information session about their fully online Ed.D. program. The program prepares students to increase their knowledge of college and university administration, financial management, and critical issues facing higher education.

Information sessions will be held monthly on the following dates at 12 p.m. EST:

September 24th
October 8th
November 5th
December 3rd
December 10th

Please sign-up for a session at this link: Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration Interest Form.

Send Silence Packing®

This exhibit has traveled the country to end the silence that surrounds mental health and suicide and connect visitors with resources for support and action.

The 2021 exhibit will be at Sweetheart Circle on October 12, from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

The all-day exhibit includes personal stories from individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide and is designed to raise awareness about the impact of suicide, connect individuals to mental health resources, and inspire action for suicide prevention. Passersby are invited to walk among the Send Silence Packing backpacks to see the photographs and read the stories

attached to them. Many of the backpacks were donated by families who lost a loved one to suicide.

Division Announcements

Student Wellness & Health Promotion

COVID-19 Confidence Messaging

COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Training: Students & Professional Staff can request to be added into the Vaccine Confidence Course on Folio by completing this FORM. The course is 19 minutes long.

I Participated in a Vax Chat: We are reimagining "Caught Ya Doin Right" to "I participated in a VAX CHAT". Professional Staff can register HERE to participate. Participating staff will be asked to wear "Ask me why I Got Vaccinated for COVID-19" buttons. Any student who engages in conversation with them about the vaccine can be given a VAX CHAT card which can be redeemed for a free fountain drink at dining commons or GUS mart.

Student Vaccine Testimonials: We are working with Marketing & Communication to publish student testimonials regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Please share this FORM with your student staff. Testimonials will be published in GS media channels.

Social Media: Please share pandemic related information from the SWHP social media accounts. You can find a variety of other vaccine messages that can be posted on the COVID vaccine webpage HERE. There are options on this page for zoom backgrounds, email signature, and social media frames.

Vaccine Confidence Health Huts: Our peer educators will be providing education, activities and answering questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine via our health huts during various times in high traffic locations on the Statesboro & Armstrong Campus. If you see them, please thank them and encourage students to speak with them.

Drop by Vaccine POD: SGA is partnering with SWHP to host a drop by COVID-19 Vaccine POD from 10am-2pm in the RU Student Union on Wednesday Sept 22nd. Please promote this event to your networks.

Congratulations to the Georgia Southern Counseling Center!

The Georgia Southern Counseling Center has been awarded the 2021 National Media Award by the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors for its program "Speak Fire." This live Instagram series focused on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. Former episodes can be viewed HERE.

Office of Student Activities

Fall Family Weekend Block Party and Outdoor Movie

Join the University Programming Board on the Statesboro campus for the Fall Family Weekend Block Party at Hanner Fieldhouse Parking Lot! We will have free food from 4&20 Bakers, Renowned Food, and Big Dog Snowcones! Participate in ziplining, painting, and yard games while you're there! After the Block Party fun, join us on Sweetheart Circle for an outdoor movie showing of Fast and Furious 9!

Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair and your favorite movie snacks!

Friday, October 1st

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Hanner Fieldhouse Parking Lot | Statesboro Campus

Homecoming 2021

Registration is open for campus departments, community members to participate in Homecoming 2021 competitions!

Click HERE to sign up!

Campus Recreation and Intramurals

True Blue 5k & Abbie's Adventure Race

Our annual homecoming True Blue 5K and Abbie's Adventure Race will be held Saturday, October 30, 2021.

The Traditional 5k run starts at 8am, and the Adventure Race flights start at 7:30am.

The TRUE BLUE 5K is all about showing your Georgia Southern True Blue pride! Walk or run, this race is for anyone looking for a fun run through the beautiful Georgia Southern Statesboro campus. This year’s race will include a virtual option so you can participate from anywhere in the world! Join us for a great cause and join us for a fun run!

Abbie’s Adventure Race is a fun spin on the typical 5k race! The race will consist of a 5K course with various mental, physical and fun challenges spread throughout — plan for mud and water, but don’t worry, nothing too strenuous. Walk or run, this race is for anyone looking for a unique and exciting way to participate in Homecoming events! So grab a partner, sign up and get ready for an adventure!

For more information and to register, visit cri.gs/trueblue!

Office of Leadership and Community Engagement

GreenFest 2021

GreenFest is a fun-filled community sustainability celebration packed with green exhibits, vendors and workshops to educate visitors about green living. Enjoy live music, activities for the kids, and green products and sustainable solutions for the whole family. Free workshops on Main Street and in partnership with the Statesboro Mainstreet Farmers Market will help you save green while living green.

Click HERE for more details.

Marvin Pittman Administration Building, Suite 002

912.478.2796 | vpstudentaffairs@georgiasouthern.edu