It's the start of a new academic year, as well as the beginning of fall, and we're excited to be welcoming students to the University of Michigan, and Ann Arbor! Whether you're familiar with the university and the city, or just getting your bearings for the first time, there is plenty of interesting and useful information in this month's newsletter!
Now that September has officially arrived, and students have returned to classes, we’re excited for a new academic year to get started!
Whether you are a returning student who knows your way around Ann Arbor like the back of your hand, a transfer student acclimating to a new campus, or an incoming freshman that is trying to navigate the academic rigor of college while also learning how to live in a new environment, it is an exciting new beginning for us all.
Being back on campus is exciting, but it can sometimes be difficult to juggle moving in, the start of classes, student organizations, athletics, and social activities. We’ve compiled some information on what wellness looks like for students, and how we can utilize resources on campus to promote our own well-being. Wolverine Wellness lists eight different dimensions that make up a student’s well-being:
Now that the school year is here, many students find it easier to navigate campus by bike. However, caution does need to be taken with bike safety, especially when it comes to bike theft. We hear stories every year about people who have not properly secured their bikes, and have then had it stolen. With bike theft on the rise, DPSS has provided a lot of very useful information on tips to prevent bike theft and how to lock your bike using a U-Lock.
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of bike theft, please consider the following safety precautions:
Wolverine Wellness will be offering Listening Circles for students to process the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade. With roots in indigenous cultures around the world, listening circles provide people an opportunity to speak and listen to each other in an atmosphere of safety, respect, and equality.
University Health Service is partnering with Walgreens to offer pop-up clinics for the seasonal flu vaccine, as well as COVID-19 primary series and booster vaccines. These clinics are available to students, staff and faculty, as follows:
If you are a student living off-campus, or are planning to do so in the future, please visit one of our drop-in office hours sessions. You will have the opportunity to meet with a member of our student staff team, ask questions about living off-campus, and learn more about the support, resources, and programming available to you. You do not need to schedule an appointment in advance - you can just stop by the Dean of Students Office (Suite 3100, Michigan Union) on Wednesdays 1-3pm and Fridays 2-4pm during the fall semester.
We know that for many people, the increase in the costs of housing, food, fuel and other items can place additional strain on budgets. Maize & Blue Cupboard exists to provide all members of the university community with equitable access to healthy and nutritious food, free of charge. To make it even easier for all community members to benefit from the Cupboard’s resources, there will be a series of mobile food distributions on North Campus during the fall semester.
One of the most exciting parts of fall semester is attending a football game at The Big House! As part of preparing your game day plan, we want to make sure you have a safe and fun experience, and avoid decisions that could put you or others at risk. One of the most significant contributors to riskier decision-making is the over-consumption of alcohol and/or other drugs. A few tips for those who choose to consume alcohol:
Black Welcome Week is a tradition in the Black community on campus that brings together students across different majors for a week of club sponsored events that build community and introduce incoming freshmen to the organizations on campus that support Black Students. This year, the theme of Black Welcome Week was “Back on Road!” This year, headline events included the Welcome Back Barbecue, and the Block Party, which offers a great opportunity to learn more about the amazing work that these student organizations are doing.
Beginning a new school year is an exciting and challenging time. For many of us, it means that we need to find new housing and part-time jobs while adjusting to a new city and schedule. While this can lead to many new opportunities and friendships, it can also be very stressful, and scammers can try to take advantage of this stress, making students prime targets. There has been a recent increase in scams that target students, with the two most common scams relating to housing/leasing and employment. Please refer to the tips below to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a scam:
