At UF, we are very lucky. Our Student Body is incredibly talented in a variety of ways. Many of our faculty and staff are nationally or internationally recognized in their fields. The awards and points of pride are vast and diverse. Here are some examples: Our Career Resource Center is ranked No. 1 in the country; our fishing club continues to win national championships; faculty make miraculous discoveries; our Student Alumni Association is the largest in the United States and much more. However, despite the many accolades and a tremendously caring community reminiscent of a much smaller institution, there still remain students in distress.
I invite all students to join the U Matter, We Care movement. A new university-wide initiative beginning this semester, U Matter, We Care focuses on enhancing the culture of care we have at UF so that every community member in distress is noticed, approached in a caring way and referred to a helping resource. Created to enhance our culture, make resources easily accessible and provide support to those in distress, U Matter has one phone number (352-294-CARE), email address (umatter@ufl.edu) and website (umatter.ufl.edu) so that you have easy access to assistance for those in distress.
What should you do?
Notice signs of distress in others, approach the individual in a caring way and suggest helping resources or share information about that person with a helping resource (see dso.ufl.edu/publications/helping_students_in_distress_2010_web.pdf for signs of distress and ways to help).
Attend one of the many trainings on campus or in the community regarding assisting others. When you do, you qualify for a U Matter sticker signifying your belief that each individual at UF matters.
The students of professor Ann Christiano's Public Relations Campaigns class created our saying: 50,000 students and not one to spare.
Make a positive difference this semester. Be part of the solution.
Jen Day Shaw is the dean of students at UF.
