Dear Students:
First and foremost, I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy as we deal with what we know is an unprecedented public health crisis. The University continues to take a number of steps to ensure the health and safety of our campus community in the midst of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and we will continue to do so as we progress through the next several weeks.
As part of these efforts, we are requesting that should you need to meet with a staff or faculty member on campus, please contact the individual first via email or phone to set an appointment. This will support our efforts to limit the number of drop-ins in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
We strongly recommend communication via email and phone whenever possible but recognize that it may be necessary at some point for a face to face conversation.
If you are on campus and feel ill and/or have a fever, you should not schedule in-person meetings. You should contact your personal health care provider or call the Monmouth University Health Center prior to being seen. You may call the Health Center for a telephone screening at 732-571-3464 so they may best direct your care. Services provided by the Health Center will only be provided on an appointment basis.
As our daily lives continue to be impacted by the coronavirus, anxiety and depression can become a challenge for many. It is important to remember that feelings of restlessness, stress, worry, and sadness are normal responses to situations that feel out of our control – such as adjusting to changing academics, financial stress and job losses, and restrictions in daily activities.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond can depend on your background and personal experiences, and the community you live in. Symptoms of stress can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs
As you adjust to this situation going forward, we encourage everyone to remain as calm and as connected as possible, while obviously practicing safe social distancing and good health hygiene. Below
are some things you can do to support yourself, and others, during the weeks ahead:
Self-care for stress and anxiety
- Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Stay connected with others by using social media or electronic devices to stay in touch. Engage with your virtual social networks and reach out to those who may be alone and isolated via text or phone.
- Take care of your body. Eat healthy foods and regular meals. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Get outside for a walk or run, move around your home or backyard. Explore free yoga, meditation, or HIIT videos on YouTube.
- Make time to unwind. Stay creative by engaging in activities that challenge and excite you – trying a new recipe, working on a creative project, or exploring new ideas.
If you are struggling and need support, please call CPS at 732-571-7517 to schedule a telephone consultation with a counselor. We are here to help and are available to you Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5 pm between Monday, March 23 and Friday, April 10, 2020.
As you are aware, the University continues to take a number of steps to ensure the health and safety of our campus community in the midst of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. As part of these safety precautions, we are limiting in-person contact at CPS to emergency and crisis situations only. If you are experiencing an emergency, such as having suicidal or homicidal thoughts, please call CPS at 732-571-7517 during business hours, the Monmouth University Police at 732-571-4444 outside of normal business hours or call 911 immediately.
Thanks for your cooperation and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
VP Nagy