Dear Scripps Students,
I hope the new year and new semester are off to a good start for you and your loved ones. I find many things about which to be hopeful while simultaneously wondering if our nation can come together to fulfill the promise of an inclusive and equitable democratic society. I take heart in being part of a community that has shown so much resilience, strength, and faith in a better tomorrow, and I am grateful for the grace and flexibility you continue to afford Scripps staff and faculty. I know I speak for my colleagues across the College when I say we appreciate your understanding and patience during what has been a difficult time for us all.
As you know by now, we will remain remote for the entire spring term due to the current and predicted public health conditions in Los Angeles County. This is not a place where any of us imagined we would be, and we are determined to make the most of the hand dealt. Scripps Student Affairs team continues to rally, and we encourage you to avail yourself of the many resources and opportunities available. Some highlights follow.
WELLNESS AND SELF-CARE
- Tele-health options are available to students for medical and psychological services at 7C.Health any time during the day or night.
- The following optional screenings are available to students at any time:
- Question, Persuade, Refer: As part of our suicide prevention and awareness efforts, we continue to provide training on how to identify individuals who are in distress and refer them to key resources. The goal is to have as many members of our community trained as possible. The online training can be completed at your convenience. To register and complete click here.
- Restorative Yoga: The EmPOWER Center will continue the very popular Restorative Yoga series, which will be held bi-weekly beginning February 19. Please visit the EmPOWER website for details about this and other programming, including the bi-weekly workshops on healthy relationships.
- StudentHealth101: This weekly newsletter is the brainchild of the Tiernan staff and has received rave reviews. If you haven’t checked it out, do so! It is filled with live and pre-recorded virtual opportunities to practice self-care, as well as information regarding all forms of wellness.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT AND ENGAGE
- Twenty-two Community Coordinators are already hard at work implementing ways for you to connect with each other. Like last semester, activities are being organized by region with “cross-over” opportunities as well.
- Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment (SCORE) continues to focus on social justice and empowerment via the Critical Conversation Series, bi-weekly podcasts, and other impactful programming.
- The Office of Student Engagement scored big in the fall with events like Paint Nite, Trivia Thursday, and Caricature Sketches. Stay tuned for more ways to connect with each during the spring semester!
- The Laspa Center has selected Radical Candor for the next season of Read to Lead. The annual Leadership Summit will be held virtually this March and feature a panel of transformational leaders, followed by a students-only networking reception.
- Olive Grove: Please join the online networking and mentorship platform for the Scripps community. Additional information can be found at www.olivegrove.scrippscollege.edu
FINANCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES
- Scripps Financial Aid Office staff are available for consultation if you or your family’s financial circumstances have changed.
- The Scripps Student Emergency Fund remains available. Requests should be made via your Primary Contact Dean.
- Scripps’ Off Campus Referral Program provides financial assistance to qualifying students to help cover therapist fees.
- Rental assistance: As specified in my December 16 letter, rental assistance is available to qualified students. The deadline for application is February 8. Requests should be submitted to your Primary Contact Dean.
- Summer Funding: It might seem early, but due dates for summer funding are just around the corner. Grants and awards are available for summer research, internships, and independent projects. Put your ideas into action and expand your own vision of leadership with a We Act Grant or follow Professor Jennifer Armstrong’s “Fellowships Flash” emails for upcoming information sessions and due dates.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES AND SERVICES
It is absolutely okay to ask for help if you are struggling academically. Detailed information regarding the types of support available and how to access can be found here.
Finally, remember the deans and I are available if you have questions or need to connect. This semester, I will hold office hours on Monday afternoons.
Please take care of yourselves! We are in this together and we will get through this together.
With warm regards,
Dean Charlotte