The reality of the “college experience” has been altered this year due to the notorious coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While students aren’t able to physically attend classes or events, the University of Findlay wants to remind our students, parents, faculty, staff and friends that we are still here for you. Since diving head first into this new way of learning and teaching, the University is ensuring that everyone will have access to additional help.
UF Counseling Services
Karen Westrick, Director of the University of Findlay Office of Counseling Services, explains that they continue to meet students’ needs by, “making personal counseling available through a HIPAA compliant video platform,” so students feeling overwhelmed can have access to support. “If any student is in distress during this time,” she continues, “we ask that you email counselingservices@findlay.edu and someone will reach out to you.”
If individuals are not comfortable with the traditional sense of counseling, they are encouraged to utilize the Therapist Assist Online (TAO) mental health app. Westrick firmly believes that, “there is no judgement for taking care of ourselves; much like the airline instruction to put oxygen on you first, if we do not take care of ourselves we cannot do the other things we need, nor take care of others that are important to us.”
The Office of Counseling Services is open remotely Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and can be contacted via phone at 419-434-4526 or email at counselingservices@findlay.edu.
Office of Accommodation and Inclusion
The Office of Accommodation and Inclusion provides accommodations and services for students with attention deficit disorder, attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder, cognitive disorders, health-related impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, visual limitations, and temporary conditions that limit academic participation. Director of Accommodation and Inclusion, Nicole Schneider, says it is necessary for the University to continue providing these services to students.
Adjustments the office is making to still offer these services include providing extra time for exams, ensuring students who use scribes have a plan in place and having note-takers perform their jobs remotely then email the notes to students. In the coming weeks, students registered with the office will be contacted to see how the transition is going and review accommodations that have been made.
“We have been doing a lot of research and follow up with students, faculty and staff as they transition to a remote format,” Schneider said. “This can be walking a professor through the best way to give an online exam to videoconferencing with professors and IT to see how scribe services can work remotely.”
The Office of Accommodation and Inclusion is open remotely Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and can be contacted via phone at 419-434-5532 or email at oai@findlay.edu.
Oiler Success Center
The Oiler Success Center strives to centralize efforts for the advocacy and retention of students, actively participate in their progression toward graduation and ultimately help each student achieve success. Throughout an average academic year, the center helps students with problem solving, education and career goals, and resources for those struggling academically, among other services.
Liz Sabel, assistant dean for student success, said the Oiler Success Center is often considered the “first-stop-shop” for students’ questions and concerns on campus. Despite the current situation, that has not changed. “Students may not realize we are still available to them remotely, but we are here to help however we can,” Sabel stated. The center is conducting meetings via phone, email and zoom. “The main adjustment is just that we are on the other side of a screen instead of the other side of a desk. We still have faculty coaches ready to assist, advisers who can help with course selection or changing of majors and people to talk to if there are concerns.”
The Oiler Success Center is open remotely Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and can be contacted via phone at 419-434-5680 or email at oilersuccesscenter@findlay.edu. Students can also schedule a meeting through Starfish.
Academic Support
Other than the stress brought on by the rapid change of pace, some students may find it difficult to learn in an online setting. For those that need a little more help with their academics or are feeling lost in the shuffle, the Academic Support Center is ready to help any way they can including course-specific virtual tutoring sessions, Writing Center coaching, and study skills advice.
The Academic Support Center provides free services such as tutoring, the Writing Center, and study strategy counseling to all students to help them realize and achieve their full academic potential. While the in-person, walk-in aspect of the center has been halted by COVID-19, students are still taking classes, and, therefore, still need support. The center’s services are now being facilitated through Zoom. “We understand this is a new challenge for many students,” Sabel said. “We are committed to serving Findlay students to the best of our ability. It might not be in person, but our goal is to promote student success through assistance and advocacy however we can.”
The Academic Support Center is open remotely Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and can be contacted via phone at 419-434-4697 or email at academicsupportcenter@findlay.edu. Students can request a tutoring appointment at https://www.findlay.edu/offices/academic/academic-support-center/tutoring.
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