Dear Colleagues,
I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all you do to support our students and advance Wright State’s mission. Your dedication, creativity, and resilience make a profound difference every day, and I am truly thankful to work alongside such an exceptional community of educators and scholars.
As the semester draws to a close, I recognize that this is a busy time for everyone. While students are working hard to finish strong, faculty are managing grading and wrapping up courses, all while preparing for the next term. Your efforts during this period help ensure a successful end to the semester, and they do not go unnoticed.
Thank you again for your commitment and contributions. I wish you a restful and joyful Thanksgiving break.
End of Semester Course Evaluation Will Open November 29
Student course evaluations open in Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys, accessible through Pilot, on Saturday, November 29. The evaluations will remain open through Saturday, December 6. These evaluations provide valuable feedback to help improve teaching and learning. Please encourage your students to complete their evaluations and, if possible, set aside time during class for them to do so. Allowing students a few minutes ensures higher participation and meaningful input.
Highlight: Supporting Student Mental Well-being
College life is filled with opportunities for growth and connection, but it can also pose challenges that affect students’ mental health and academic success. At Wright State University, we are committed to creating a campus culture where students feel supported. Faculty play an essential role in fostering academic success. Here are several ways that you can help promote mental health in your classroom and interactions with students:
- If you notice changes in attendance, participation, or academic performance, reach out to the student early.
- Include mental health resources in your syllabus or provide information in your classroom presentations. This normalizes help-seeking behavior.
- Share healthy strategies to manage stress. This will encourage students to adopt similar approaches.
- Promote campus programs, events, and activities that can help students feel more connected.
- If a student’s distress exceeds your comfort or ability to help, connect them with Counseling and Wellness Services or Student Advocacy and Wellness or submit a Wright State Cares referral or Slate Student Success Portal early alert.
Counseling and Wellness Services
Counseling and Wellness Services provides confidential counseling and psychiatric services to all currently enrolled Wright State students. Clinicians offer short-term individual therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, and consultation services. Students experiencing a crisis can walk in during business hours to be seen immediately. Students can also access mental health screenings, mindfulness programs, and workshops focused on stress management, coping skills, and resilience.
Counseling and Wellness is located at 053 Student Union, and appointments can be made by visiting wright.edu/counseling or calling 937-775-3407.
Student Advocacy and Wellness
Student Advocacy and Wellness offers holistic support for students facing personal, academic, or financial challenges. This includes assistance with food insecurity, housing, emergency funding, interpersonal violence, and other life stressors that may affect academic performance or well-being.
Faculty often serve as the first line of support when a student is struggling. Student Advocacy and Wellness can partner with you to ensure the student receives coordinated care and appropriate resources.
Student Advocacy and Wellness is located in 051 Student Union and can be reached at 937-775-3749 or wright.edu/advocacy.
Wright State Cares
The Wright State Cares Referral Form enables faculty, staff, and students to report concerns about a student who may be experiencing emotional, academic, or personal struggles. Submissions are reviewed by the Behavioral Intervention and CARE Team, which will reach out to provide support and connect the student with appropriate resources.
Faculty can refer a student by submitting a CARE Referral. Faculty will be prompted to briefly describe their concerns and provide their contact information. Reports are handled sensitively. The goal is early support, not discipline.
Early Alert System: Slate Student Success Portal
Faculty and staff can also raise wellness alerts by using the Slate Student Success Portal through WINGS. Topics included in the “Wellness” category include Family Concerns, Food Insecurity, Health/Illness/Injury, Housing Insecurity, and Mental Health/Emotional Well-being. By submitting an alert in this category, the appropriate office or committee will be notified, helping to facilitate a timely and appropriate intervention to assist the student.
When you submit an alert and provide details about the concern and any steps already taken to support the student, the information is shared only with the university staff assigned to the case. The student does not see this information and does not receive an automated email indicating that an alert was raised.
Together, we can help every Wright State student feel supported academically, emotionally, and personally. Thank you for the care and compassion you bring to your classrooms every day.
Student Events During the Last Week of Classes
Supporting student well-being during the end of the semester is important — please encourage your students to take a break and recharge at these events if their schedule allows:
Monday, December 1
DeStress for Success: Kinetic Sand — Dunbar Library First Floor Group Study Room, noon to 2 p.m.
Students are invited to create their own mini-Zen garden. They can fill a container with colorful kinetic sand and personalize it with fun charms. This event is in collaboration with Residence Life and Housing.
Tuesday, December 2
End of Semester Pizza Party — 101 Student Success Center, noon to 2 p.m.
Students can enjoy free pizza, relax and connect with friends, and take a well-deserved break.
Wednesday, December 3
DeStress for Success: Academic Engagement Table — Dunbar Library First Floor Group Study Room, 1 to 3 p.m.
The Academic Engagement team will host a table to help students find success during finals with tips and resources.
Thursday, December 4
DeStress for Success: Study Tips with Academic Success — Dunbar Library First Floor Group Study Room, noon to 2 p.m.
Academic Success will host a table offering study tips, tricks, and best practices to help students finish the semester strong.
Wright State Online Accessibility Essentials
Wright State Online offers a compilation of resources designed to support faculty as they ensure their courses meet accessibility standards. These resources include an interactive 20-minute course and comprehensive guides.
Once faculty have completed the Accessibility in Course Design training and updated their content to reflect what they have learned, they are encouraged to submit their content for a digital accessibility review. A member of the WSO team will assess the content and provide feedback on any necessary revisions to ensure accessibility standards are met.
Learn more about Accessibility Essentials Information and review the available accessibility content in the Resource Library.
When a Student Needs Support
Wright.edu/help is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.
The Student Success Navigator showcases the wide range of resources available to support our students. Whether students are interested in joining a student organization, looking for access to mental health services, playing a sport, or finding a job, all information is available in one central location.
