Supporting Our Community and Ourselves
Sent: November 5, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
Well 2020 continues to provide us with great moments of uncertainty. And, this uncertainty
has the ability to wear all of us down. That means there is no better time to pause
and take stock of the folks around us – our colleagues, staff and faculty alike, and
our students – to find out what they might need. If managing COVID hasn’t been enough,
many may have stayed up late the last few nights watching the election. If students
aren’t responding right now the way you want them to in classes, please don’t be surprised.
If a staff colleague needs a day off, please support them in that request. If faculty
colleagues are asking to push some service work to the next semester, it is valuable
to consider those requests.
We should also take advantage of the various resources the campus has developed. This
includes the “Red Folder,” which includes important support information on how faculty and staff can contact
as well as refer students to urgent mental health and well-being resources as well
as resources on “Freedom of Speech” and “2020 Election Information for Faculty and Staff.” In addition, there are resources for employees that are free of charge and part
of your benefits at LiveMatters by Empathia https://members2.mylifematters.com/portal/welcome/sso (Password: SPARTANS).
Some examples of sessions, include:
- Staff Session with SJSU Staff (Nov. 10, 12:00 - 1:30 pm)
- Faculty Session with LifeMatters by Empathia and SJSU Staff from ODEI and CFD (Nov. 5, 1:00 -3:00 pm)
- Faculty Session with SJSU Staff from ODEI and CFD (Nov. 9, 5:00 - 6:30 pm)
- MPP Session with LifeMatters by Empathia and SJSU Staff from ODEI and UP (Nov. 6, 1:00 - 3:00 pm)
- MPP Session with SJSU Staff from ODEI (Nov. 13, 9:00 - 10:30 am)
As in previous messages, I ask that we be kind to each other. This year has thrown
so much at us as a community. I want to thank all the faculty and staff who are working
so tirelessly to support our students and each other. We have just a few weeks left
in this semester. But, these last few weeks are often packed with some of the most
important work. Please ask for help if it is needed.
Stay healthy and safe!
Vin