Message to Students from Student Affairs, Diversity & Inclusion


Dear Champlain Students,


I’m writing today to share words of support through a video message as well as suggestions for staying connected, taking care of yourself and getting help if you need it.

This video is captioned; the complete text is also provided at the end of the message below.

Staying Connected

As of Friday, March 20, 2020, all teams in the Division of Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion (SADI) are working remotely and are ready to connect with you virtually via video, phone and email. To help you stay up-to-date, the College will continue to post all COVID-19 updates and messaging from the College on the The View site. The View also has a FAQ section that is updated regularly. The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly; please monitor The View and the College’s social media channels regularly. I also encourage you to reach out directly to specific offices if you have questions about how you can best stay engaged during the period of remote instruction.

Focusing on Well-being

I know that many of you may also be facing added responsibilities and new pressures at home, so you must be intentional and work to maintain a positive mindset. We are committed to providing you the same services you’ve always had, though some may take new delivery forms, and we are ready to support you during this period of remote instruction.

At a time like this, it is normal to become hypervigilant and to experience fear and a sense of lack of control. We are all experiencing heightened emotions and it is important to stay self-aware and be proactive about taking care of yourself and one another.

Strategies to enhance your well-being and reduce stress:

  1. If possible, set up a working space and keep a schedule to complete your assignments.
  2. Balance your time and keep in touch with your support network. Communication with family members, friends, co-workers and other students can help you stay focused and engaged. Consider setting up meeting times to check in one on one or in groups.
  3. Pay attention to your physical fitness and mental health. Exercise at home if you cannot go out, take some time off from working and continue to eat and sleep regularly.
  4. Do not delay asking for help if needed. If you are feeling distressed, remember that there are many resources available for you here (see below).

I also encourage you to check out a new podcast series from our very own Student Success and Well-being Coach, Kim Quinn. Mindcraft: Retrain the Brain to Reduce Anxiety and Live Your Best Life is a podcast dedicated to helping you become less anxious, fearful, and/or depressed by learning how to become the “boss of your brain.”

College Student Support Resources

Champlain is a caring and supportive community and we pledge to continue to respond to issues of concern. Please remember that during this time of remote instruction, all Champlain College policies remain in effect. Click here to access information about college policies or to report a bias or sexual misconduct incident. 

I encourage you to reach out to us if you need assistance. If you are not sure who to contact, please email the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@champlain.edu

Be gentle with yourself and continue to pay attention to your emotional and physical needs. We will be in touch as we begin to plan opportunities for you to engage with us and each other. We look forward to connecting again with you soon.

Warmly,
Dr. Angela E. Batista
Vice President of Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity and Inclusion


Video text:

Hello, Champlain students. This is Angela Batista, your vice president for Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

I am happy to have the chance to say hello today to tell you how much we miss you in Burlington. COVID-19 has led us to making very difficult decisions and into a sense of a new normal. 

Whether you’re here, at home or anywhere in America and the globe, these are difficult times and we are committed to continuing to support you so that you can finish your year strong. Student Affairs and our teams are working hard to create opportunities for you to engage virtually with each other and with us. And we want you to stay connected and informed.

I also wanted to invite you to stay curious and to look at your experience with an appreciative lens. Pay attention to what you’re learning. What discoveries are you making about yourself? What questions come up for you as you make meaning of this experience?

Most importantly, we want you to focus on your well-being. Focus on the basics and pay attention to how you spend your time. Being bombarded with bad news all the time and feeling uncertain about the future can be very stressful. We want you to pay attention to your needs and to taking care of yourself as much as possible.

Please reach out to us just like you would if you were on campus. We look forward to connecting with you and we look forward to having you back and seeing you in person soon. 

Please be well, take care, and stay in touch. Thank you.