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The following email was sent to students on Thursday, September 29, 2022
Dear Sarah Lawrence Students,
On behalf of the Dean of Studies and Student Life staff, I am reaching out to check-in and offer our support as Hurricane Ian impacts many areas you or a loved one may call home.
As a native Floridian who spent the past 3.5 years rebuilding and reforesting my family’s farm after Hurricane Michael, I am all too familiar with the challenges that can inevitably arise during and after a hurricane—power outages and inability to connect with loved ones, damage to a home you love, and destruction of other areas you cherish deeply.
Please know we are here to support you in every way we can. If these circumstances are impacting your academics in any way, we encourage you to communicate with your professors or the staff in the Dean of Studies Office. Graduate students should reach out to their faculty, their program directors, or the Dean of Graduate Studies (gradadministration@sarahlawrence.edu, 914-395-2373). Additionally, the Health & Wellness Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services staff are prepared to prioritize your appointment should you wish to talk about these challenging times; they can be reached at (914) 395-2350 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. And remember, you also have 24/7 access to mental health support via the My Student Support Program (MySSP), about which I have included more information below.
If at any point you have concerns or needs we can help address, please reach out to any staff member in the Dean of Studies and Student Life office, your graduate program director, or the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Sincerely,
Jody Spooner
Interim Dean of Studies & Student Life
More About MySSP
Immediate and confidential support is available to you 24/7/365 via telephone or chat through the My SSP app or by visiting myssp.app. The app and website feature additional information and tips on coping with trauma.
While the MySSP chat and telephone services are open for eligible students, LifeWorks (our MySSP provider) has also opened up a community crisis support line for anyone in need of emotional support in relation to this event, including your family, friends, and work colleagues. The Community Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-877-757-7587. Individuals who call will receive professional emotional support and/or referral to community resources. This resource is available to anyone and everyone in the United States.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any additional support that I can offer.