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VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

A New Year of Student Support

I hope that you and your family had a healthy and safe start to the new year. While we have much hope on the horizon as vaccines are being distributed, we must work to ensure that our students are prepared to continue their vigilance and community responsibility upon their return. Please review with your student our spring COVID-19 testing plans that were previously shared. Your support has been instrumental to our success, and I appreciate your continued commitment to the health of not only your student but all of their friends, classmates, and peers.

We will start the semester by welcoming our new students and families who are joining the Hurricane family for the first time. Even students returning to campus, now is the perfect time for them to begin preparing academically and personally for a successful semester. Whether your student is remote or in-person, they can take advantage of many resources including the Learning Commons, Writing Center, Tutoring Services, the Counseling Center, and Herbert Wellness Center.

Additionally, more personalized services, such as the Independent Learning Initiative, can provide your student with personalized academic support if last semester provided some unanticipated challenges.

Now may also be the time to reflect on what other opportunities your student wants to get out of their spring semester, be that preparing for a summer internship or enhancing their campus involvement.

I hope that your student is able to use this time before we kickoff the Spring to plan for their success. If you or your student ever need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Dr. Patricia A. Whitely has been the Vice President for Student Affairs since 1997 and is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Whitely is responsible for oversight of residential life, leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, service learning, orientation, student organizations, student activities, student facilities, student counseling and student health centers, Greek life, the Dean of Students Office, and the Camner Center for Academic Resources.

 

Important Dates

 

COVID-19 UPDATES

As your student prepares to return to the University this month, please ensure that they continue to monitor their University email.  Students will receive specific messages regarding their safe travel to campus, on-site testing, isolation/quarantine procedures, flu shots, and more.  For more information on general University updates related to COVID-19, students and families may visit coronavirus.miami.edu.

 

HOUSING UPDATES

HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Housing Selection Approaching

It is our hope that you have had a healthy and safe holiday season with your family and loved ones.  As we approach spring move in, it is important that you familiarize yourself with Housing and Residential Life’s preparations for your student’s seamless move in to take place.  In addition, shortly after students start their classes, we will be communicating a lot of important details regarding the application and room selection process for 2021-2022 housing.

We encourage you to continue to talk with your student about their housing plans for next year.  The 2021-2022 application and room selection process for continuing residents will begin in mid-February with informational Zoom sessions occurring prior to that once students have returned for the spring semester.  To help facilitate this conversation, here’s a list of questions to consider:

  1. Have you thought about where your student is going to live next year: on campus or off campus?
  2. Any idea who they want to live with next year or are they thinking about trying to get a single room/apartment?
  3. If they’re planning to live with a roommate(s), did you know that their priority can be slightly higher if your student has one or more roommates and fills a whole apartment or suite?
  4. What is your student’s back-up plan if their preferred housing option is not available?
  5. Did you see that to live in the University Village apartments your student has to have completed 45 or more credits to apply and 60 or more academic credits by August 2021 to move-in?
  6. Is your student interested in living in Gender-Inclusive Housing with their friends?

More detailed information will be available shortly after students return to campus.   We will also provide opportunities for virtual information sessions for students and families to attend should they have questions.    For all the latest updates, encourage your student to monitor their University email address and to visit HRL's website.

 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

WELLNESS AND RECREATION

Physical Activity for Brain Power

The health benefits obtained from regular exercise is not new nor Earth-shattering information.  As we get older, these health benefits become more important to us.  All too often, college-aged students consider themselves invincible and do not perceive these health benefits to be of value to them. The challenge is to find an outcome that motivates your student to become more active. Therefore, it may be beneficial to talk with your student about the “brain benefits” achieved from being physically active.

The recently revised U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines added the brain benefits of exercise and suggested that as little as 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week improves cognitive ability, memory, and reduces anxiety. The combination of these latter benefits will enhance your student’s academic performance, happiness, and overall well-being.  Interestingly, these improvements maybe achieved by a simple 20- to 30-minute daily dose of a brisk walking.

When discussing grades and general well-being with your student, ask them “Did you get your daily dose of physical activity?”  Remind them of the potential brain benefits as these may serve as a stronger incentive to get your student active than the traditional improved blood pressure and smaller waistline.

The Department of Wellness and Recreation strives to foster a lifestyle of responsible choices supporting the mind, the body, and the spirit in educational, wellness, and recreational programs through services and facilities for the University community.

 
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Outdoor Exercise On and Around Campus

As we start 2021, it is natural to wonder how to start the new year and new habits.  In year’s past, many people flocked to gyms and fitness centers to renew old habits or try new ones to improve our wellness through exercise.  We know that exercise helps us all in mitigating stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges as well as being good for our bodies. 

As your student begins the new year, encouraging them to spend time outdoors and/or exercising outdoors can help them improve the physical and mental health and wellness.  Throughout this year, the University continues to roll out its Outdoor Adventures program, which includes an outdoor gym, a climbing wall, sand volleyball courts, and extensive outdoor gear rentals all to help your students get outside. 

Exercising outdoor or spending time outdoors is good for our mind and body. On campus and in the immediate area, there are many opportunities for your student to enjoy everything Florida has to offer.  Research shows that that exercising outdoors, especially near water, compounds the impact of both exercise and time spent outdoors improving the physical and mental health benefits of both exercise and time outdoors.

To help start the conversation with your student, here is an article about transitioning to running outside.  On campus we have seen that students who struggle with the repetition of indoor exercise are greatly interested in the new challenges and changing environment associated with spending time outdoors.  These are some great suggestions that can be used to encourage and help your students stay active and healthy as they start this next semester and new year.

Outdoor Adventures is a partnership between the Department of Housing & Residential Life and the Department of Wellness & Recreation. Its mission is to enhance student engagement, success, and well-being through adventure-based programs, services, and facilities.

 

STUDENT VOICE

ORIENTATION AND COMMUTER STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Next Steps for Your Student

Happy New Year! As we pursue those New Year’s resolutions, this is also the best time to think about the next steps for your student to take in their college experience. 

One of my favorite resources on campus is the Toppel Career Center. Not only is Toppel able to help your student with their resumes and cover letters, but the center also provides opportunities to network and apply for a job or internship. Their wealth of services is being offered virtually, and I have appreciated the ease in which I have been able to access it all throughout the past year.

Another great resource for new students who are remote this semester is their Remote Assistant. Remote Assistants work with the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement to plan, promote, and implement initiatives specifically focused on remote students’ needs. A weekly email is sent out to each student with important dates, leadership, and volunteer opportunities as well as an opportunity to attend virtual events. 

As I continue to pursue my new goals, I am keeping that close contact with my mentors, family, and friends to help me stay positive and continue pushing towards these accomplishments. I look forward to sharing my student insights with all families as the semester continues.

Nathalia Torres is a junior majoring in Sociology and Criminology, and minoring in Health Management and Policy & Public Health. She is a transfer student from Miami Dade College, and currently serves as a Remote Assistant. Nathalia is an active member of the President's 100, Category 5, Homecoming Executive Committee, HP Concerts, and the Pre-Physician Assistant Club. 

 

HELPFUL HOW-TO GUIDES

Proxy/Delegate Access


How to Pay Your Bill


How students make an appointment with Student Health Service


How students make an appointment with the Counseling Center


 

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Information on coronavirus

The University of Miami is proactively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find the latest information here.

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