From the Dean: Support in this time of tragedy
Dear members of the Mary Frances Early College of Education community,
The tragic events of the last few days are unsettling for all of us and have particularly touched those who knew the victims, those who know students who knew the victims, and those whose own histories with violence, assault, or suicide make these deaths particularly poignant.
President Morehead’s message contains information for students, and we should all be poised to refer students to these resources in the days and weeks ahead as we see the need:
- sco@uga.edu
- 706-542-8479
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
- Available 24/7
- 706-542-2273
There are also resources available to staff and faculty members. The Center for Counseling and Personnel Evaluation stands ready to support all members of our community in the following ways:
- Individual support for students, staff, and faculty at the Center
- Grief group for undergraduate students starting next week
- Counselors are available to departments, classes, or student organizations particularly affected and can come to you to offer support to individuals and small groups
You can reach the Center at 706-542-8508 or contact the director, professor Linda Campbell, directly to arrange for counselors to come to a unit or class. I am grateful to Dr. Campbell and her team of clinicians for always jumping into action when our campus experiences a loss.
The Employee Assistance Program is also available for various kinds of support, including live online help, referral to a program that fits the individual’s needs, and providers in the community.
All members of the UGA community can use the UGA Safe tile in the UGA app. Within the UGA Safe tile, there is the Friend Walk option that allows you to share your location with a friend so they can track your movement as you walk or drive alone. The Mobile Blue Light option allows you to share your location and indicate an emergency to UGA Police without having to actually make a call.
Thank you for all you are doing to support each other and our students during this difficult time.
Denise Spangler
Dean