Student Affairs Newsblog

Author: Laura Putwen

Building More than Snow Statues: The Data on Why Campus Activities Matter

Published
By

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Danielle Meirow

About the Author

Danielle Meirow

Director of Student Leadership and Involvement

When we see students building a cardboard boat during Homecoming or hosting an event by the Husky Statue, we see more than just fun and games. We see a critical part of their education. In Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI), we witness students’ active engagement in the Michigan Tech community every day. And while we know from experience that these moments are essential to their development and retention, it’s affirming to see a growing body of national research confirm the link between campus activities and student success.

Continue Reading →

Partnering for Prevention: A New Initiative to Support Student Well-being

Published
By

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Crystal McLeod

About the Author

Crystal Primeau McLeod, MA, LLP

Director, Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being

 “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially relevant when addressing substance misuse among college students. This period of transition—marked by new freedoms and pressures—can make students vulnerable to risky behaviors. Whether you are faculty, staff, or a concerned friend, you can be the first to notice when a student is struggling with health or wellness. To better support our entire campus community in this shared responsibility, the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being (CSMHW) is launching a comprehensive, grant-funded campaign to equip our community with new tools for substance misuse prevention and intervention.

Continue Reading →

When Policy Meets Reality: Freedom of Expression

Published
By
Laura Putwen

About the Author

Laura Putwen

Assistant Dean of Community Conduct

The Office of Academic and Community Conduct regularly handles reports beginning with “Someone said something that made me uncomfortable/offended/unsafe…”. We navigate these situations within First Amendment constraints, civil rights obligations, and University policy and mission requirements. Freedom of speech and expression concerns can involve intense emotions but our office is here to support you in many ways.

Continue Reading →

Supporting Students Through Crisis

Published
By
Kellie Raffaelli

About the Author

Kellie Raffaelli, EdD

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Day one brings excitement and energy to campus, but beneath the joy of reunions and new beginnings, many students face serious personal challenges through the transitions. Military duty, family deaths, illness, mental health struggles, financial difficulties, and medical diagnoses don’t pause for the semester. Many students are figuring out how to navigate these crises alone for the first time, away from their support systems.

Continue Reading →