Volume 3, Issue 1 • September 14, 2023
This newsletter is published by the Division of Student Affairs as a communication tool for our parents and families to stay informed.
| |
Greetings from the Vice President for Student Affairs
| |
|
Dear Parents and Families:
The 2023-24 academic year has already proven to be a busy one. We are thrilled to serve your students and support their academic endeavors. This quarterly e-newsletter is one way that we remain connected with you and inform you of happenings on campus. Our hope is that you become familiar with the available resources and are empowered to refer students to them and to us. I look forward to welcoming you to campus on September 22-23 for Family Weekend. As always, we are a phone call or email away: studentaffairs@springfield.edu or (413) 748-3100.
Sincerely,
Slandie Dieujuste, PhD
Follow me on Instagram @Dr.Slandie.
Photo: Vice President for Student Affairs Slandie Dieujuste, PhD, is entering her third year at Springfield College.
| |
Family Weekend Festivities
We are very excited to welcome you to Family Weekend, scheduled for September 22-23. Online registration closes on September 18. If you happen to miss the deadline, you can always join us, but please note that some activities may be sold out.
| | |
The Housing and Residence Life team of community directors and resident assistants are ready and eager to serve as mentors and support for residents in their respective residence halls. Our on-campus environment will allow students to learn useful skills, such as how to live with a roommate and share living space, how to compromise, and how to respect one another’s needs. The office is located in the lower level of Alumni Hall. Students can use their student ID during business hours to access the door located at the Campus Union end of the building. We can be reached at reslife@springfield.edu or at (413) 748-3102 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | |
Campus Services and Resources | |
|
Ready to send your first care package? When mailing your student, don’t forget to include their middle initial and SC Box Number. Below is the preferred address format:
Student Name (first name, middle initial, last name)
Springfield College
SC Box XXXX
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
Still have questions? Check out the Springfield College Post Office Web page.
Planning to come to campus for athletics or another event? On weekends, families can park in any lot/space on campus that isn’t marked “Reserved" (Lots2B, 3,3A, 13, 14, 16, and 25). Explore the campus map.
If you or your student have additional questions about parking, please contact Public Safety at parking@springfield.edu or at (413) 748-3516.
| |
 |  |
As your student gets accustomed to life on campus, experiencing stress, anxiety, loneliness, and the struggles that come with new environments and academics is very common. The Pride Cares program, which launched in 2022, is now entering its fourth semester, with more students available to offer support. Pride Cares trains students to provide peer-to-peer support to listen, understand, and connect students to services on campus. If your student is looking for someone to talk to, they can identify our Pride Cares-trained students by their green bag tags. If your student is looking for a way to help others, they can follow the Health Promotion Instagram @sc_healthpromotion to meet our Pride Cares team, learn about events, and find the Pride Cares application.
Our peer health education team—the Student Advocates for Wellness—is also engaging with students throughout the year on important topics, such as substance use, sleep, reproductive health, and stress management. Follow along on their Instagram @sc_studentadvocates and be sure to check out their new season of The Wellness Triangle podcast.
| |
|
Vaccination Clinics
Get protected! One of the best ways for your student to protect themselves and others from the flu is to get vaccinated. The Health Center, in collaboration with Big Y, will be offering two influenza vaccine clinics. The clinics will be held on Thursday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cleveland E. and Phyllis B. Dodge Room (C-F), Flynn Campus Union. The clinics will be open to all students, staff, and faculty. More information, including a sign-up link, will be sent to students via their Springfield College email in the coming weeks.
The Health Center staff is available to respond to any questions or concerns:
(413) 748-3175 or healthcenter@springfield.edu.
| |
|
As a parent or guardian of a student at Springfield College, you may have concerns about your student's well-being. If those concerns involve their mental health, the Counseling Center staff is here to provide your student with a variety of services and support. Our staff consists of experienced professionals who are dedicated to aiding students in navigating the excitement and challenges of adjusting to their “home away from home.” All our services are confidential and we take pride in the compassion we have for students at Springfield College.
The transition from home to campus can bring up feelings of homesickness, loneliness, anxiety, and stress. Campus life can present new and unique situations for students no matter if this is their first time at Springfield College or they are a returning student. If your student is expressing any of these feelings or has shared other issues they are facing, we want you to know that we are here to help. Sometimes a solution can be as easy as having someone in your corner to listen to what is going on and provide a safe place to talk.
Our office can be reached by phone at (413) 748-3345 or via email at counselingcenter@springfield.edu.
| |
|
Upcoming Events, Activities, and Athletic Competitions
As your student settles into their fall routine, we hope they find time to get involved on campus and spend time with new and old friends. If your student is looking for something to do, encourage them to visit the athletic calendar and the programming calendar for ideas.
| | |
|
Food Insecurity
The Pride Food Pantry will be open for in-person hours starting the week of September 11. In addition to non-perishable items and toiletries, the student-run Food Recovery Network recovers prepared foods from the dining hall and distributes them through the pantry each week. The pantry supports all undergraduate and graduate students who may be experiencing food insecurity. The Swipe Out Hunger program also supports students by providing meals which can be used in the dining hall throughout the semester. These meals are donated by students on meal plans who may not be utilizing all of the meals within their plans. Students can donate meals through the Get App and can request meals on PrideNET by clicking on the Swipe Out Hunger button.
| | |
We’re excited to share with you the wonderful work that students and staff within the Division of Student Affairs are doing. | | |
|
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) promotes the interests and welfare of the student body and guides and finances more than 42 registered student organizations. Managed by elected students, SGA members approve funding for active student organizations, adopt policies affecting students, and serve as a liaison between students and the College administration. This year, they are led by Mason Preble (at left) SGA president and Carter Cochardo (at right), SGA vice president.
| | |
About the Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs aims to foster an engaging and inclusive co-curricular learning environment where students grow as leaders while exploring, understanding, and living the Humanics philosophy. The Division is comprised of the following offices and programs: Spiritual Life, Community Standards, Health Promotion, Dean of Students, Undergraduate Student Orientation Programs, Career Center, Student Employment, Counseling Center, Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities and Campus Union, Campus Recreation, Center for Service and Leadership, Veterans and Military Services Center, and the Health Center.
| |
Join the Springfield community online.
Get an inside look at what life is really like at Springfield College.
| |
Springfield College is a smoke free/tobacco free campus.
Copyright © 2023 Springfield College. All rights reserved.
| | | | |
