Tag: counseling center

March 13, 2020

Dear Spalding Community,

Thank you for your understanding as we work together to navigate a fluid, unprecedented period for our country brought on by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

There remains no known positive case of COVID-19 on our campus, but we are doing part to help prevent the spread of the virus. We are preparing for the measures outlined in a campus-wide message that was distributed Wednesday evening: Spalding will move all face-to-face classes online, effective Monday, March 16, until April 5, and all on-campus residential students must leave the residence halls by noon Sunday, March 15.

Here is additional information and guidance on a range of topics:

TECHNOLOGY FORM

[UPDATED: As of Summer 2020, Spalding is no longer using the technology form it introduced in March of that year and is described in this section of this message. The link to it has been removed from this page, and students with technology needs and questions should contact [email protected]]

With the move to online classes coming, students will need regular access to a computer or tablet with a recent version of Windows or iOS, as well as Internet access.

Students who do not have a computer, tablet or other device, or who lack off-campus access to the Internet should fill out this short form to inform the university of their needs, so that arrangements can be made. Students who do have a computer and regular Internet access do not need to fill out this technology form. The software and programs needed to complete coursework will be provided.

The library will remain open at its regular hours so that students lacking technology or Internet access can use on-campus computers to complete their classes.

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
Students who live on campus must leave the residence halls by noon Sunday, March 15, and take with them only what they need to be away for three weeks. Those students may not return to the halls until at least April 4.

Students who have filled out the form from Residence Life requesting to stay in the residence halls during the hiatus should receive an answer March 13.

At this time, Spalding does not intend to issue refunds on housing or dining plans. We will review this in the weeks ahead.

Please contact Dean of Students Rick Hudson at [email protected] or 502 873-4488 with any questions or concerns.

CAMPUS DINING
Effective Monday, March 16 until April 5, the POD dining counter will remain open, but the College Street Café will be closed.

For the next week, the POD will operate on regular session break hours starting tomorrow, March 14:

Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Effective Monday, March 23, the POD will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hours will be:

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

COUNSELING CENTER OPEN
The Spalding Counseling Center will stay open and continue serving students. Instead of coming to campus, students are asked to contact Counseling and Psychological Services Director Dr. Allison From-Tapp at [email protected] or (502) 873-4458 to discuss the best way to have your needs met. We understand that the global uncertainty regarding the coronavirus may be a source of anxiety, and the Counseling Center is available as a resource.

ATHLETICS AND EVENT CANCELLATIONS
The coronavirus outbreak has prompted Spalding to suspend all of its athletics activities, as well as cancel or postpone a long list of campus and university-sponsored events in the coming weeks. A list of affected events has been posted on Spalding’s Healthy Together – COVID-19 page, and on Spalding’s Facebook page. The list will be updated as needed. Email [email protected] if there is an event missing that should be added to the list.

Spalding’s Commencement ceremony is still on schedule for June 6, 2020 at Canaan Christian Church.

CLOSURE OF FITNESS CENTER AND DEREK SMITH GYM
Until at least April 5, the campus fitness center in the lower level of Columbia Gym and the basketball/volleyball court on the first floor will be closed for all students and employees.

Spalding University will join a city-wide effort next month to train a world-record number of citizens in a suicide-prevention technique known as “QPR,” or “Question, Persuade, Refer.”

Spalding will be among the many sites around Louisville hosting free, public 90-minute training sessions during National Suicide Prevention Week, which is Sept. 9-15. The QPR course, designed for anyone 18 years or older, teaches the warning signs of suicide, how to offer help and how to refer people to get help.

Spalding’s sessions will take place in the Kosair Charities Health and Natural Sciences Building at the following times:

*Monday, Sept. 10, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
*Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2-3:30 p.m.
*Wednesday, Sept. 12, 12:30-2 p.m.
*Thursday, Sept. 13, 2:30-4 p.m.

To attend a Spalding session, participants MUST  register online.

As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 100 total people had registered for the Spalding sessions, with space limited, so those interested should register quickly to secure a spot.

Mayor Greg Fischer and city leaders are encouraging members of the public to share the word and get as many relatives, friends, coworkers, etc. as possible to participate in the training and try to establish a Guinness world record for the number of people trained in a single week. Registration information for the dozens of other free training sessions around Louisville can be found at qprlou.com.

No specialized mental health care training or expertise is required for those taking the training. Certified trainers will discuss myths about suicide, identify warning signs, outline how to talk to someone who may be thinking about suicide and how to persuade them to seek help.

QPR is similar to CPR in that it is designed to support an emergency response to someone in crisis, and to save lives.

Leaders from Spalding’s School of Professional Psychology, office of Counseling and Psychology Services (CaPS) and office of Residence Life are helping organize and conduct the training on this campus.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” said Dr. Allison From-Tapp, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “Anyone can learn to help prevent suicide with some questioning and compassion. QPR was designed to teach individuals to ask the question of suicide, persuade someone to get help, and make appropriate referrals. Through this 90-minute training you will learn the tools you need to help save a life and plant the seeds of hope.”

According to 2017 Home Equity Report, there were 584 suicide deaths in Jefferson County from 2011-15, compared with 333 homicides for the same period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates are on the increase, and more than half of people who die by suicide do not have a known mental health condition.

“Suicide rates have been rising steadily over the past decade,” said Dr. Steve Katsikas, chair of the Spalding School of Professional Psychology. “Suicide cuts across geographic and demographic boundaries. It is an issue that can impact almost anyone. Learning how to intervene can make a difference and save a life. We are committed to providing training to our community to help make the widest impact possible.”

The city’s QPR undertaking has roots from 2016, when the Louisville Health Advisory Board’s Behavioral Health subcommittee held the Bold Moves Against Suicide Summit on Spalding’s campus.