Student Support Services: A Quick Overview
While New Student Orientation informs students of university resources, faculty can help to underscore the many supports available. Some students may not know what would support their learning and well-being. Others may be reluctant to ask for help out of a belief that seeking academic support equates to admitting they are struggling. Faculty can combat this by stressing the value of using resources that exist to support students and destigmatizing asking for help.
A student may approach you for guidance, or you may notice a student who could benefit from assistance. Some of the most commonly used campus offices that provide academic and non-academic support to students are detailed below.
To learn about other resources available to students, review the Guide for Teaching and Learning: New School Resources or email thefacultycenter@newschool.edu.
For Students
Academic Support and Tutoring Services
The University Learning Center offers students academic support in areas including writing, math, ESL, and graduate writing. The ULC also holds regular workshops aimed at improving students’ writing and other academic skills.
The University Learning Center has tutors available to help them with their assignments and to learn or hone skills, especially in reading and writing, digital tools and qualitative reasoning. And as a reminder, you can invite representatives from the Learning Center to your class to talk about academic honesty and integrity, academic citations, note taking, classroom communication, talking about their work, and other topics outlined here by using this form.
Advising
Advisors support students in navigating campus resources and university systems. They also help students when policy concerns such as academic integrity, grade appeals and academic standing arise.
Billing, Financial Aid, Registration and Student Records
The administrative parts of going to college can be confusing and complex. The One Stop Student Service Office is the first stop for students seeking answers to questions about billing and payment, financial aid, registration, and student records.
Counseling Services
Mental health impacts every area of our lives. And students don’t need to be having a major mental health issue to speak to a therapist. Students can speak with counselors about a range of concerns, including difficulty concentrating, transiting to college life, exploring identity, feeling unusually sad or anxious, and more. Students who would like to learn more or talk with someone should visit the Student Health Services Portal.
A New School Glossary
To demystify some of the confusing terminology that comes up in class, advising sessions, and elsewhere on campus, Student Success maintains this list of commonly used terms.
Student Disability Services
Student Disability Services (SDS) helps students with disabilities obtain equal access to academic and programmatic services. Faculty are encouraged to review the Student Disabilities Services’ Faculty Resource Guide and consider implementing small practices to make their classrooms more accessible. Students can learn more about the office, requesting accommodations, and view FAQs on the SDS website.
Students in Distress and Crisis
Student Support maintains a guide to help faculty recognize, respond to, and report signs of distress and understand where to turn when concerned about a student’s well being and safety.