Douglas Olsen
Incoming college students often face a unique set of challenges, from navigating new academic and social environments to managing their personal well-being. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the role of universities in supporting their students through these transitions. This includes addressing basic needs insecurities, such as access to food and housing, as well as providing mental health resources and a sense of belonging, which are critical for student retention and success. With shifting student expectations and societal challenges, universities are navigating a dynamic era, marked by an increasing recognition of their duty of care towards students. This evolving relationship between students and universities highlights the importance of understanding the services and support systems in place to foster a safe and engaging campus community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University services that incoming college students care about | Basic needs support, mental health support, virtual health and well-being resources, clinical care, advanced technology, expert guidance, etc. |
| Whether community service is important for college admissions | No, colleges want students' extracurricular profiles to reflect their interests and personalities. |
| The university's duty of care | Universities have a duty to protect their students from "foreseeable violence during curricular activities" and create a safe learning environment on campus. |
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What You'll Learn
Student expectations
Incoming college students have diverse expectations, and one area of focus is the availability and accessibility of university services. They expect universities to provide a comprehensive range of services that cater to their academic, personal, and professional needs. These services play a pivotal role in fostering a supportive and enriching environment that contributes to their overall growth and development.
In terms of academic services, students anticipate access to robust academic resources, including well-equipped libraries, state-of-the-art laboratories, and innovative technology. They expect universities to offer a wide array of course options, allowing them to explore diverse subjects and pursue their specific areas of interest. Additionally, students value universities that provide academic support services, such as tutoring or mentoring programs, to help them excel in their chosen fields.
Personal well-being and mental health support are also high on the list of student expectations. With the increasing awareness of mental health issues among college students, incoming students seek universities that prioritize mental health services, offering easily accessible counselling and psychological support. They expect a proactive approach from universities in addressing these concerns, including stress management workshops, mental health awareness campaigns, and crisis intervention services.
Furthermore, students expect universities to provide career guidance and professional development opportunities. They look for universities that offer internships, career counselling, and alumni networks to help them gain practical experience and build valuable connections. Incoming students also value universities that organise career fairs, host industry experts, and provide resume-building workshops, empowering them to develop the skills needed for their future careers.
Lastly, incoming college students care about the sense of belonging and community within the university. They expect universities to foster an inclusive and diverse environment, where they can connect with peers, engage in extracurricular activities, and find their niche. Universities that create a supportive community, where students feel accepted and valued, are more likely to meet the expectations of incoming students, contributing to their overall satisfaction and well-being.
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Student health and well-being
Transitioning to college can be a challenging period for students as they navigate new academic demands, social pressures, and independence. Therefore, universities play a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes student health and well-being. Incoming college students benefit from comprehensive services that address their physical, mental, and emotional needs, enabling them to thrive during their collegiate journey.
Universities can offer a diverse range of services to promote student health and well-being. Firstly, accessible and quality healthcare services on campus are essential. This includes medical clinics with extended hours, staffed by professionals who can provide primary care, mental health services, and specialized care for students with disabilities. Additionally, promoting preventative care through vaccination drives, health screenings, and nutritional counselling can help students maintain their physical health.
Mental health support is a critical aspect of student well-being. Universities can provide counselling services, group therapy sessions, and crisis intervention programs to assist students struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress. Training faculty and staff to recognize signs of mental health issues and providing them with resources to support students in distress can also create a safety net for students who may be reluctant to seek help directly.
Universities can also foster a culture of well-being by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. This includes providing recreational facilities, promoting fitness and sports activities, and offering wellness programs that focus on stress management, mindfulness, and healthy eating habits. Social events, clubs, and community-building initiatives can also enhance students' sense of belonging and social connectedness, contributing to their overall well-being.
Furthermore, universities should address the unique needs of diverse student populations. This includes supporting international students with cultural transition programs and providing resources for LGBTQ+ students. By embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment, universities can ensure that all students feel welcomed and supported.
Lastly, universities can empower students to take charge of their health and well-being through educational programs. Teaching time management and study skills can reduce academic stress. In addition, providing financial literacy workshops can alleviate financial worries, enabling students to focus on their academic and personal growth.
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Student retention
One critical aspect of student retention is providing basic needs support. Colleges and universities have recognized the importance of ensuring that students' basic needs, such as food, housing, and mental health services, are met. For example, initiatives like TimelyCare's basic needs support program connect students with resources to address these essential requirements. This is particularly crucial for low-income students, who are less likely to complete their study programs due to financial constraints and a lack of access to basic necessities.
Additionally, a sense of belonging within the institution is vital for student retention. Students who feel disconnected from their peers, their department, or the university are more likely to drop out. Creating a sense of community and fostering a supportive environment can help students feel like they belong, encouraging them to persist in their academic pursuits.
Furthermore, academic preparedness and support play a significant role in student retention. Students may struggle with studying, test-taking, paper writing, or math abilities, leading them to consider dropping out. Providing academic resources, study skills workshops, tutoring services, and additional support can help students feel more confident and better equipped to handle their academic responsibilities.
Personalized support and success coaching are also effective strategies for student retention. Developing relationships with students early on and offering individualized guidance can help identify at-risk behaviors and address challenges before they escalate. This proactive approach enables institutions to provide targeted interventions and support students in navigating academic, personal, and professional responsibilities.
By addressing basic needs, fostering a sense of belonging, enhancing academic preparedness, and providing personalized support, colleges and universities can improve student retention and help students succeed in their academic journeys.
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Basic needs support
Other forms of basic needs support include financial aid, transportation subsidies, and meal voucher programs. Childcare is also a critical component of basic needs support, particularly for parenting students and single parents. Additionally, access to affordable technology and healthcare, including mental health services, falls under basic needs support.
By providing an ecosystem that ensures students' basic needs are met, institutions can help students meet their academic potential and improve their overall well-being. This support is especially crucial for students of color, students who are parents, and other historically marginalized groups who may face multiple barriers to completing college.
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University duty of care
Currently, universities are not legally required to have a duty of care towards their students, and organisations like Universities UK argue that existing health and safety regulations and duties under the Equality Act are sufficient. However, there have been calls for a statutory duty of care, particularly from bereaved families who have experienced university failures in supporting students' mental health. In one case, a judge ruled that a university had not made reasonable adjustments in the way a student was assessed, contributing to their psychiatric injury.
The concept of "duty of care" in this context refers to the legal obligation of universities to act towards their students in a certain way, avoiding causing harm and considering the potential consequences of their actions or inactions. Proponents of a statutory duty of care argue that it would hold universities accountable for providing adequate support services and protecting student well-being.
On the other hand, some argue that a statutory duty of care is unnecessary and could impose excessive restrictions on student freedoms. Universities already prioritise mental health and well-being support, often going beyond legal requirements. Additionally, it is important to empower students to take ownership of their interests and pursue meaningful opportunities that align with their passions, rather than solely focusing on community service or extracurricular activities to meet university requirements.
While the discussion around university duty of care continues, it is clear that supporting student well-being is of paramount importance. Universities play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and providing resources to meet students' basic needs, such as food, housing, and mental health services. By addressing these fundamental needs, universities can create a foundation for student success and mental health resilience.
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Frequently asked questions
Colleges are more interested in how students have made an impact on their communities rather than the number of community service hours they have completed. Admissions committees are looking for powerful college communities where students feel a sense of belonging, which is critical to their academic success and well-being.
Basic needs support for students includes financial help, food, and housing. Other support areas include transportation, childcare, and legal services.
Universities can provide mental health support through text message outreach, virtual health apps, and teletherapy. They can also offer mental health resources and provide students with a way to anonymously report potential threats.
Universities have a duty of care to protect their students and staff from foreseeable threats and create a safe learning environment on campus. This includes mitigating threats such as fires, severe weather, illness outbreaks, and active shooter incidents.
TimelyCare provides clinical care, advanced technology, and expert guidance to support students, faculty, and staff. Their diverse care provider network offers confidential, one-on-one support from empathetic health care experts. TimelyCare users with severe symptoms have achieved clinically significant change by their third counseling or psychiatry visit.
