Campus Currents (remote learning edition)

April 20, 2020

David Baldwin and Rachel Lucking

Living Room Chats with David & Rachel

Framingham State's own David Baldwin, Associate Dean of Students, and Rachel Lucking, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement, have launched a new show designed to help the FSU community stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Living Room Chats with David & Rachel includes features such as Common Threads, where content on a certain topic is submitted by FSU employees and shared during the episode. Episode one's Common Thread included photos of employee pets at home.  The first episode also included an interview with Dean of Students Dr. Meg Nowak Borrego.

You can check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcNuzpalwuI&feature=youtu.be

Advice on staying sane during social distancing

By Thomas Maye, Publications Intern

During this time of extreme isolation and boredom while students are stuck at home, it’s important for them to focus on a consistent wellness routine to maintain a sense of normalcy, according to Andrew Lipsky, director of FSU’s Counseling Center.

The majority of students “are experiencing some form of grief and loss,” Lipsky says.

Many face extreme isolation and boredom separated from campus and potentially facing unemployment. Others have been overwhelmed with the pressures of an all-online curriculum, with the future of commencement still unclear. And for those with abusive families, experiencing a moment of respite may be next to impossible.

But as students face daunting challenges and dramatic life changes, with varying resources to cope, Lipsky stressed the value of forming a consistent wellness routine.

“It’s really important folks are clear about what they can control and the goals they have, and really be focused on the goals and objectives they’re trying to [accomplish],” Lipsky said.

Despite the powerlessness and unknowability of the pandemic, creating a daily schedule - focusing on tasks that can be accomplished and managed - will go a long way in feeling more in-control. “If we’re not accomplishing meaningful tasks, it can manifest itself in really negative ways.”

Lipsky compared the pillars of wellness to four legs on a stool - social connection, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. By thinking of the challenges of day-to-day life through this lens, it can be easier to know where to start.

Though everyone has different circumstances, he encouraged students to adapt to the resources at hand.

Social distancing may create feelings of loneliness, but people can still play games with family and friends, cook together over video chat, and attend online exercise groups to stay connected to loved ones, for instance. “Anything they can do to connect with people who can be supportive, and give [them] an outlet to process things and connect with, is important,” he said.

And though not everyone is able to go outside, students can still engage with their hobbies and interests to occupy themselves off-screen.

Along with offering advice, Lipsky stressed how the Counseling Center is still available for students in need. “We’ve seen a sharp decrease in new students using our services,” he said, but the center is still offering tele-counseling services to help meet student needs. University departments will continue to do their jobs, he said, even if they may look different due to the new virtual format.

Further, online support groups have grown increasingly popular, along with a rise in tele-counseling services offered.

The Counseling Center can be contacted by email at counselingcenter@framingham.edu, or over the phone at 508 - 626 - 4640.

Psychology Today offers a search tool to find nearby therapists via the following link, which Lipsky recommended: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.

For other useful links, hotlines, and mental health resources, please visit the Counseling Center webpage at https://www.framingham.edu/student-life/counseling-center/.

The Latest on Social Media

The Hilltop Players have been staying active on social media. Lip syncing contents, trivia nights, family video contests and more. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, visit: @fsu_hilltopplayers on Instagram.

And, if you still haven't seen Dr. Lorretta Holloway lip sync to I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston, then you are truly missing out.

Framingham State's Fashion Design and Retailing Department will be showcasing some of the work of senior designers in the FASH 487 Apparel Design Portfolio class over the next month.

Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/FSUFashionDept/

The Framingham State University Dance Team has begun posting "Senior Spotlights" of each member of the team. Check them out on Instagram and read the stories of our talented FSU dancers! @fsudanceteam

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has been spotlighting senior students on sports teams throughout the conference. Check out this video on FSU's Women's Track and Field Team!

Is your department or student club highlighting seniors or sharing student work on social media? If so, let us know about it! Send the details to studentwork@framingham.edu!

Danforth Celebrates 1-year Anniversary in Maynard Building

Framingham State University's Danforth Art Museum celebrated the 1-year anniversary of its grand reopening in the Jonathan Maynard Building as part of FSU with a special video.

It features images of all the galleries that have gone on display since its opening.

You can view the video here.

SGA Funds Campus Improvement Projects

The Framingham State University Student Government Association (SGA) has voted to allocate capital funds to a number of campus improvement projects, including:

  • $15,000 for blue lights and additional lighting
  • $15,000 for additional water bottle filling stations
  • $15,000 for new furniture in the Student Veterans Center
  • $12,000 for renovations to the O'Connor Lounge and Center for Inclusive Excellence
  • $10,000 for new gym equipment
  • $2,000 for the Rams Resource Center
  • $4,100 for new furniture for club room 2

The University is so grateful for the SGA's support and careful consideration of these projects, that will positively impact the student experience at FSU!

fRAMily Fridays

Help us promote fRAMily Fridays on social media by wearing your FSU gear every Friday! Post photos to your social media accounts and tag the University's main accounts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or, just send your photos directly to Social Media Coordinator Chris Casinelli (ccasinelli@framingham.edu).

Chris Walsh Center

The Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families of MetroWest has been working to get its remaining events fully online and are pleased to announce that they have several events coming up through the end of the semester.

To learn more about the events and to register, visit the group's Eventbrite page.

Career Services Virtual Events

The Office of Career Services and Employer Relations has organized several virtual events for students and employers, including drop in career counseling, career fairs, information on LinkedIn as a career tool, learning about etiquette in the virtual world and much more!

Visit their events page to learn more: https://www.framingham.edu/the-fsu-difference/career-services/events/index

Upcoming events

Women's Lacrosse vs Fitchburg State

Saturday, March 30, 2024

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Maple Street Field

Organized by: Athletics

Baseball vs Albertus Magnus

Monday, April 1, 2024

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Bowditch Field Athletic & Cultural Complex

Organized by: Athletics

Full Events Calendar More Events