SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
As I mentioned in my column last month, we all still must ensure that our students continue to practice physical distancing and curtail activities that will put themselves or their peers in harm’s way. As you may be aware from President Frenk’s message on February 5, have had limited social gatherings and in-person extracurricular activities in recent weeks to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections. We need your continued help to encourage your students to make good decisions for the health of their friends, classmates, and themselves. The University of Miami enforces our public health directives vigorously and we follow up on all reported cases that come to our attention. We take the necessary action, including suspension if warranted. Please be our partners by reminding your student of the measures in place for their health and safety.
February is an important month for students not only as they settle into the academic rhythm of the semester but also as they learn and engage around Black Awareness Month. This celebratory month features programming curated by the Black Awareness Month committee as well as Social Justice Week developed by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership. These are just some of the multitude of involvement opportunities for our students that are shared weekly via our Ibis News publication.
This month will go by quickly and we remind you that students can still take advantage of support resources, like tutoring at the Camner Center or finding an internship at the Toppel Career Center.
I hope that we can continue to count on you as partners in your students' health and safety. Now, more than ever is the time for our students to double down on safety measures, wearing a mask, social distancing, and limiting unnecessary social gathering. We need your help to ensure that students hear this message. If you or your student ever need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Dr. Patricia A. Whitely was appointed vice president for student affairs in 1997 and promoted to senior vice president for student affairs in February 2021. In her role, she 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. Dr. Whitely also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development.
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Throughout the semester, students will receive email messages regarding campus operations, on-site testing, isolation/quarantine procedures, and more. Please encourage your student to regularly check their email to stay knowledgeable on the latest updates. For more information on general University updates related to COVID-19, students and families may visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
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HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFE
The application for continuing students who would like to live in on-campus housing during the 2021-2022 academic year is open now through Wednesday, Feb. 24 by 5 p.m. Students can submit their application—which includes a $500 prepayment—via the On-Campus Housing Portal available in CaneLink. In addition to complete information available at miami.edu/housing, below are a few important reminders:
- Ensure that your student has a few options in mind for where they wish to live on campus and with whom. Have conversations with your student on what room types/housing options meet your family’s budgetary needs.
- If your student has desired roommate(s), make sure the group has clear plans for how to split up the group if space isn’t available to accommodate them all together.
- Make sure your student understands that on-campus housing is a commitment that they should plan to continue with. Applying for and selecting a room should not be done as a "back-up plan" in the hopes that some other plan falls into place. This risk may result in financial implications if they wish to cancel their housing after May 31.
- Current resident students may submit their application after the deadline, however, these students will not participate in the room selection process that occurs March 1 to 24 and will be assigned on a space-available basis.
- Students who are currently living off-campus, including those studying remotely for the Spring 2021 semester, will not participate in room selection and will be assigned on a space-available basis.
- Students who lived on campus in Fall 2020 but are currently studying remotely for Spring 2021 can apply for housing but are not able to participate in the room selection process. These students will be assigned to available housing after March 24 but will be prioritized over off-campus students.
For all the latest updates, encourage your student to monitor their University email address and to visit Housing and Residential Life’s website. If there are any questions or concerns, contact housing@miami.edu or 305-284-4505.
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UM DINING
Dining is such an important part of campus life, and we want all students to have a successful dining experience. We believe in creating true partnerships between your student and the entire UM Dining team. Their goal is to meet the needs of all students with the food-forward approach so that everyone feels included and valued.
More students than ever are seeking plant-forward options on campus. Whether your student is interested in cutting down on meat or wants to forego animal foods altogether, UM Dining has them covered. Alyson Marquez, a registered dietitian, and licensed dietitian nutritionist is a major part of the on-campus program. She works regularly with students to show them how to get the most out of their dining experience. From eating on a specific diet to gluten intolerance, or those just wanting to live a healthier lifestyle, Alyson is here to show your student how to navigate dining facilities and take advantage of the wide variety of dining options the University of Miami has to offer.
Students deserve to know what is in the food they are enjoying, so UM Dining prioritizes providing accurate nutrition and ingredient information for its recipes. Each of the dining halls features the menu on signage or digital screens with icons that denote vegan, vegetarian, and/or avoiding-gluten options. More information can also be found on UM Dining’s website under the "What’s on the Menu?" tab.
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MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is often referred to as the home away from home for many students. To support and educate students, MSA strives to host programs and services that challenge, motivate, and support ethnically diverse students in their development.
This month, MSA is excited to share a couple of its signature programs, including Black Awareness Month: Black HERstory Month and the Students of Color Symposium, both of which you are encouraged to share with your student.
These events provide an opportunity for your student to engage in dialogue on issues that affect the educational, personal, and professional growth of students associated with living in our global society.
To round out its offerings, MSA also engages with many students through diversity education and more than 30 multicultural student organizations. From orientation through graduation, your student can engage in workshops, dialogues, and diversity training that foster knowledge about important issues impacting our society. The MSA staff encourages you to discuss these opportunities with your student and explore all that the University of Miami has to offer!
Stay connected with MSA
Website: www.miami.edu/msa
Instagram: @um_msa
Facebook: @msa.universityofmiami
Youtube: um_msa
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ORIENTATION AND COMMUTER STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
As the spring semester cruises along, your student was able to attend a virtual involvement fair earlier this month via Engage, inviting them to connect with the more than 300 student organizations at the University of Miami. The greatest piece of advice I have received—and love telling students—is to first pick three organizations varying from fun and interesting to more academic and relating to your career in the future. Then, start exploring other ones that capture your attention.
I am currently involved in OCSI as an Orientation Leader and Remote Assistant, a Vice-Chair for Homecoming, and the secretary of the Pre-Physician Assistant Club. Many organizations are currently accepting applications for new students to join. Your student may find these applications on Engage by logging in with their UM credentials. Another great way for your student to find more about the different organizations is through social media and the Ibis News weekly email blast.
During these times it’s important to find different outlets to destress and take a moment to press pause. Through joining student clubs, their weekly or biweekly membership meetings help me forget about some of my stress and have fun connecting with my peers over Zoom. 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.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
The University of Miami is proactively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find the latest information here.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert spoke to students and faculty members at the Miller School of Medicine on Wednesday as part of Grand Rounds.
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STUDENT HEALTH
The number of ambassadors has been increased from 75 to 100 as the University continues to support a safe environment and help students adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.
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OFFICE OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
An online calendar identifies vacant classrooms for the spring semester that can be used as study spaces or as a place where students can access remote classes.
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The Student Government executive board is excited to welcome students back to a campus with pandemic protocols in place, and it plans to be as available as possible for its peers.
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BLACK AWARENESS MONTH
Zoria Telfare, a junior at the University of Miami, helped coordinate the observance of Black Awareness Month centered around a theme that she feels hits home.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
The two have led their respective units, Student Affairs and the Office of the General Counsel, to new heights during their long years of service to the University.
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