Ecosystem of Care Update
Returning to Campus, Navigating Transition, and Achieving Wellness -- SIX Resources to Help Your Student Succeed this Fall
September 27, 2021
Greetings!
I hope this finds you well and your student looking forward to the academic year ahead. We are incredibly excited to begin the fall quarter and we recognize our return to campus elicits a range of thoughts and feelings -- especially from those who support our students beyond campus. For some this is a moment of joyous celebration as your student realizes their dream of starting college. For others, this may be a season of great angst as your student leaves home for the first time. Still, for others, the start of the year can stir excitement, anticipation, and worry all at the same time.
We know supporting your student can be an emotional roller coaster. Your unending love inspires your commitment to their success. Their success is why you encouraged them to pursue higher education. And, we know, letting go as they chase their dreams can be hard. This constant push and pull makes sense to us. For to love and to let go are often competing commitments with a mutual goal in mind. You want your student to do well, be happy, and excel in all they do. Rest assured; we share a steadfast resolve to the same.
Your student's success matters to us. That's why we created the UCSC Ecosystem of Care.
An Ecosystem is a system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of distinct communities within their environment.
Developed by the Division of Student Affairs and Success, our Ecosystem of Care anticipates students needs and proactively connects them with the resources and tools they need to thrive in the University setting. Many individuals--faculty and staff alike--make up your student's Ecosystem of Care. Perhaps, though, nobody is as central to your student's Ecosystem of Care as you. Whether parent, relative, good friend, coach, teacher, or mentor, you are receiving this email because you are a champion for your student. We appreciate the unwavering support you've offered your student thus far and know you remain committed to their success in the future.
Therefore, because you are an essential part of your student's Ecosystem of Care, we want to share a number of resources we think can help your student succeed in and out of the classroom. As you review the list of resources below, we hope you will be encouraged by our vast and varied student support systems. We hope, too, you will find assurance in our commitment to your students' personal, academic, social, and professional development.
By now, your student is likely settling into their classes and co-curricular activities. For all the excitement that often accompanies the start of a new quarter and a new academic year, we know, too, this particular moment may also be one of anxiety and concern -- especially as related to COVID-19. The resources below can also help mitigate the anxieties you or your student may be feeling about the transition to on campus instruction and engagement. As you and your student transition to the fall quarter, we encourage you to engage these resources, talk with your student about their goals for the year ahead, and know that we, in the Division of Student Affairs and Success, are eager to support your student in all their endeavors.
In partnership,
Jennifer Baszile
Interim Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs and Success
Resource #1: Wellness and Mental Health |
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| Juggling the many commitments of university life can be hard. Daily, students navigate academic, social, and co-curricular responsibilities. Many do this while working, helping family, and more. To help students keep up with and make sense of the demands swirling around them, we are pleased to announce UCSC's partnership with YOU @ College. YOU @ College is a powerful, online platform that offers students personalized mental health and well-being resources to help them thrive now and in the future. Offering keen insight into a range of topics -- from sleep habits to identity development to career exploration and so much more -- YOU @ College meets students where they are and helps take them to where they need to be: ready to excel in an ever-changing, often-challenging world. |  |
Resource #2: Campus Connection and Belonging |
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Born and raised in a tech saturated world, virtual support such as YOU @ College is an essential tool for today's college student. And, sometimes, we know what students need most is a one-to-one personal connection. The Slug Mentor Network offers exactly that.
Slug Mentors are committed to their mentee's success. They listen to their mentee's concerns, answer their questions, and help them identify opportunities for engagement -- in class, in co-curriculars, and, eventually in their careers. Requesting a Slug Mentor is a great way for your student to find their way at UCSC.
Students can request a mentor by submitting this form.
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Resource #3: Academic Guidance and Success |
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Navigate Slug Success is an online platform that allows students to easily communicate with and make appointments with their academic advisers, connect with student success staff, and access other university support services. Using the Study Buddies function, students can even start or join a study group with other students from their classes. Students should use Navigate to stay connected with their academic support team of advisers, faculty, and campus resources.
Students can access their Slug Success account by clicking here.
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Resource #4: Career and Professional Preparation |
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Whether hoping for a coveted summer internship or preparing for a professional position after graduation, UCSC offers students career development support along every part of their journey. In particular, we are proud to offer all students free access to Handshake. Handshake is an online platform connecting students and alumni with job opportunities and career coaching. To help make the most of your UCSC education, we recommend students activate their accounts now, create their profiles, and update their handshake data at least once a quarter. Taking these steps now can be instrumental to securing that dream job down the road.
Students can activate their free Handshake account by clicking here.
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Resource #5: Classroom Success and Preparedness |
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The UCSC Keep Learning webpage is a conglomerate of a wide variety of resources, tips, and tricks to help students be successful in and out of the classroom. Definitely bookmark this page as a one-stop shop for many of your UCSC needs. Topics on the page include:
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Resource #6: COVID-19 |
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COVID-19 remains a significant part of our everyday lives. As such, the UCSC Slug Strong webpage remains the best, and most updated, resource for all things related to COVID and the University's response to it. We encourage you and your student to check this webpage regularly in order to stay apprised of current policies, access support, and to understand how our community is working to stop the spread.
Access Slug Strong and all the latest on COVID-19 at UCSC by clicking here.
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