This week, I鈥檇 like to take a moment to highlight two invaluable members of the Office of the Dean of Students staff:听Edith Breiner and Kayin Queeley. As the Office鈥檚 Student Affairs Case Managers, Edith and Kayin are a great source of guidance and support for 黑料不打烊 students. Students can contact them directly, or, if someone is concerned about a student鈥攍ike an instructor, staff member, friend, roommate, or parent鈥攖hey can contact a Case Manager on the student鈥檚 behalf. A Case Manager can then reach out to the student and invite them to meet.
Case management isn鈥檛 therapy or counselling, but a way of finding solutions to the obstacles students face. This can include referrals, as student situations often involve many dimensions鈥攁cademics, mental health, finances, accommodations, and personal issues, amongst others. Case Managers will also facilitate difficult discussions with faculties or parents, and triage time-sensitive issues like housing precarity or harassment.
Ultimately, Case Managers are here to listen, evaluate what students need, and provide the follow-through to make positive outcomes happen. They are on your side, and I hope you鈥檒l听connect with them听if you or a fellow student needs a helping hand.