Dear Division Colleagues,
To those of you who shed tears at the dismantling of your Christmas decor (Dr. Hynes), we share your pain. To those of you who are celebrating getting back into a more standard daily routine (Dr. Villegas), yeah, we are there too. Regardless of where you sit on that spectrum, we’ve got an amazing semester of activity coming up to be excited about, and we’re glad you’ve tuned in for a fresh semester of the best lil ol newsletter in the world. Spotlight, am I right?
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Flu Season: The Baylor Health Center is highly encouraging anyone who has not yet gotten a flu shot for this year to get one immediately. Influenza-A is reaching concerning numbers in McLennan County and we have students traveling back to campus this week from all over the country. You may have heard that the flu shot this year isn’t a direct match for the strain that is spreading, which is true, but the shots also offer broad immunity for all influenza that will reduce the intensity and duration of illness if you get infected.
If you start having flu symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat or body aches, head to a clinic promptly so diagnosis can be obtained and treatment can be started early. Early treatment is most effective in getting you over the flu and protecting loved ones and friends.
DO NOT come to work if you have any symptoms of illness. We are all in mission-critical roles, but the most important work you can do if you are sick is to get well quickly and help to stop the spread of illness to others.
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Partnership Opportunities |
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Student Mental Health: This past Fall, the Baylor CARE Team worked with a record number of serious cases. Student mental health is a major issue on all campuses across the country today. We are incredibly thankful to our staff on CARE Team and in the Counseling Center who make such an impact every day in the lives of our students. We’d like to start out this semester by reminding you that these resources are here. As Baylor Student Life staff, you work directly with students across the university, and YOU are the front line in seeing and potentially intervening when you see students who aren’t thriving. In your day-to-day work, if you encounter ANY student who may be struggling, please remember that you can contact the CARE Team to make a referral. You can refer students online HERE or by calling them directly at 254-710-2100.
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What's New BU / Spotlight Emails: This Spring, remember to submit content from your areas for inclusion in the mass emails that reach both our students and our staff in the division. We often get so busy in building engaging events and programs that advertising falls to the very last minute. Both of these email newsletters have exceptional open-rates (45% and 75% respectively) and provide great opportunities to get your events in front of those who will attend and other staff who can help spread the word. Email your content for the What's New BU emails to whatsnew@baylor.edu. If you have content for Spotlight, feel free to email it to Student_Life@baylor.edu.
- NASPA Conference 2026: Are you planning to attend NASPA March 7-11 in Kansas City, MO? If so, let us know here! We’d like to make sure we connect while at the conference.
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Welcome Weekend: This past weekend, we welcomed new students to Baylor at Welcome Weekend! The weekend kicked off with sessions for new students and their families and opportunities to connect with campus partners. After students said goodbye to their parents, they enjoyed a Baylor Men’s Basketball watch party, lunch at Top Golf, and other activities. The weekend concluded with a trip to Independence, where students received their Line Jerseys! Big thanks to the New Student Programs Team for helping to welcome new Bears entering this Spring and making them feel at home.
- FSL Spring Recruitment: This past week, the Panhellenic sororities held new member recruitment. More than 1,000 freshman women participated in the weeklong activities that culminated on Saturday at Waco Hall where they received their bids. Recruitment continues over the next few weeks for many other orgs.
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JAN 20: First Day of Classes
JAN 21: MLK Luncheon
JAN 23: First U-Break of the Spring Semester (SUB First Floor, 10 a.m.)
FEB 1-28: Black History Month
FEB 1: Happy Birthday, Baylor!
FEB 17: Readers Meet The Author: Beth Allison Barr (11:30 a.m., Moody Library)
FEB 19-28: All-University Sing
FEB 24: Student Life Leadership Speaker Series: Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz (6:30 p.m., Foster 240)
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AJ Norris (Left)
Senior Coordinator of Communications and Member Services (Campus Rec)
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Fun/Interesting Fact: "I’ve completed a full marathon and several half marathons, and long-distance running is one of my favorite ways to challenge myself."
What are you looking forward to most about working at Baylor? “I’m most looking forward to continuing to learn new skills while connecting with students and supporting their growth.”
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Laura Ellis (Right)
Recovery Program Manager (BARC)
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Fun/Interesting Fact: "I love traveling, missions, sno-cones, coffee, and my family…all immensely."
What are you looking forward to most about working at Baylor? “I am looking forward to building relationships face to face with students and walking alongside them in their recovery journeys.”
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Visit our Division of Student Life webpage to view current openings and help us recruit great people to Baylor! Submit any roles we missed using the button at the end of the email.
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Congratulations to all the women who pledged a Panhellenic sorority this weekend!
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Stay connected with Student Life
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