Division of Student Affairs newsletters will be slightly different this year to aid in communicating emergent needs and to provide timely, important area updates, changes, and/or events. This newsletter will also include updates and events from university partners.
cell phone with mental health at GVSU app

NEW Mental Health App

Campuses nationwide have experienced an upward trend in student mental health needs. A recent survey indicated that less than 7% of Grand Valley faculty feel very well equipped to address student mental health concerns, and that over 70% believe that access to information to manage those concerns from their office, home, or classroom would be helpful. The University Counseling Center has developed a mobile application to assist faculty and staff in supporting student mental health and attending to student emergencies on campus.
The Mental Health at GVSU app:
  • Addresses anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidality, threatening behavior, bizarre/unusual behavior, and a variety of other student mental health issues  
  • Provides a brief description, a video, warning signs, and appropriate ways faculty and staff might address each mental health concern  
  • Includes an “I Have an Emergency” button at the bottom of each page, which outlines what constitutes an emergency and provides emergency procedures from both on- and off-campus.
  • Answers frequently asked questions, including those about confidentiality, Counseling Center wait times, and managing an emergency from home
  • Links faculty and staff to applicable support resources across campus

For more information about how to download and use the app, please view the GVSU Mental Health Application Youtube video

Division of Student Affairs

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

In response to the unjust killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and the attacks on the larger Black community, this summer a group of Division of Student Affairs colleagues created a divisional statement of commitment to our longstanding core value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through numerous meetings, revisions, consultation with students and other colleagues, this statement is now complete and posted visibly on the DSA website. It is the Division’s intent that this is an unambiguous statement of conviction, and that we act upon it in our programs, facilities, services, staffing, and decisions. 
Virtual Water Coolers Shared Learning Space: Film Series
Division of Student Affairs Shared Film Series
Join us for the upcoming film:
13th
October 17, 6 - 9 p.m.


Division of Student Affairs Virtual Water Cooler Series
Join us for the upcoming Virtual Water Cooler: 
Building a Professional Network Virtually
November 19, 12 - 1 p.m.

AP Committee 2020 Elections

Congratulations John Offerman (Recreation & Wellness) and Ryan Neloms (Office of Student Life) on your election into the Administrative Professionals (AP) Committee open seats for the new 2020-2023 term! Good luck with your term and thank you for your contributions!
students walking on campus

Housing & Residence Life

  • Check out the COVID-19 Resources website for on-campus housing students in isolation or quarantine

  • Students will not be forced to vacate housing following the Thanksgiving Break. GVSU will issue credits for unused housing, dining and/or parking, but students must request this credit. Visit the HRL Thanksgiving Break website for more information

Outdoor Adventures Scavenger Hunts

Looking for more activities for students? Or something active for yourself? Check out the Outdoor Adventures (OA) Scavenger Hunts open to students, faculty, and staff!
OA Scavenger Hunts
Accounting Recruiting 2020

Virtual Engagement with the Career Center

During this virtual time, student participation and engagement can be a challenge. The Career Center is excited to share a few best practices (below) that led to the success of their Fall Accounting Recruiting Season.
  • One virtual platform for all events and RSVPs
  • Targeted emails sent to students
  • Strong collaboration with campus partners (faculty and student organizations)
  • A new website with how-to videos and resources for students 
All of the above contributed to 854 one-on-one interactions with employers with a low 2.5% no-show rate, and 225 students participating in 16 employer information sessions. 

DSA & University Resources

University Partners

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Peer-to-Peer Project

As a part of the GVSU Presidential Partners in Action Against Racism effort, partners from across campus are working together to develop a peer-to-peer diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) learning initiative. Partners are looking for 20 students from different walks of life to participate in this 5-week learning, co-creation and planning experience. Participants will learn and use the basics of Liberatory Design Thinking during four - 3 hour long virtual meetups, with some field work in-between meetings. This design thinking process will allow students to take an active role in elevating students’ voices with the goal of making GV a more equitable and welcoming campus for all students. 

Please encourage your students to apply!  Sending them a personal note with the application information would be greatly appreciated. Some financial assistance is available to support student participation.
For questions about this project, contact the co-chairs of this effort, Jessica Campbell (campbej1@gvsu.edu) or Melissa Baker-Boosamra (bakerbme@gvsu.edu).
Fostering Laker Success flyer

GVSU's Fostering Laker Success Program

The Fostering Laker Success program provides resources to GVSU students who have experienced foster care in their youth. Located in the Center for Women and Gender Equity (1201 Kirkhof Center), this program is a part of Fostering Success Michigan (FSM), a network of Michigan colleges that provide post-secondary services to youth who have experienced foster care.
How can I get involved?
  • Follow on Instagram (@gvsufls) or Facebook to stay up to date with programs and successes
  • Become a faculty/staff mentor
  • Share the information and raise awareness - the Fostering Laker Success program would be happy to provide a brief recorded or live (via Zoom) presentation or talk to your class or department about services and their role at GVSU
  • Donate here to help the program and students
  • Visit the Fostering Laker Success website for more information about the program.
For questions about the program, contact Jessica R. Campbell, LMSW, CWGE Program Coordinator and Fostering Laker Success - Campus Coach at campbej1@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-2748. 
Post Election Campus Conversations flyer

Post-Election Campus Conversations

The Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse Program will be holding one-hour virtual conversations the days following the election. Separate spaces will be provided for students, staff, and faculty. Consider attending a conversation and please share this information with students. 
Staff Conversation - November 4, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Faculty Conversation – November 6, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 
Student Conversation – November 9, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
All conversations will be facilitated by Lisa M. Perhamus, Director of the PSCD Program and Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse.
Grand Valley State University
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