Be well, keep moving, and stay engaged with others – that’s the message that areas of the College want to impress upon students amidst the call for social and physical distancing during COVID-19.
While Niagara College’s campuses have been closed, campus divisions are leveraging new and creative ways to offer virtual support to students. The goal? Help students stay engaged and supported during the transition to online studies, as well as healthy and active, both mentally and physically.
NCSAC
E-Sports Tournament – A campus-versus-campus online gaming tournament on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch consoles, with prizes and activities for spectators. A series of free, online social events. Details on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/YourNCSAC/posts/2862190113860992
Mental Health Support – On-demand video chats with therapists from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through realcampus.ca. NCSAC has added this service to the domestic student Health Plan.
Grocery gift card program – Students in need have been identifying themselves to NCSAC who continue to fundraise for grocery gift cards – part of the Nourishing Minds program – in the amount of $50 each. NCSAC is grateful to the many NC employees who have mobilized to support the program through donations.
- “I am so pleased and feeling so blessed to be a part of the Niagara College family because here you are helping me and it means a lot.” – Student testimonial.
Food delivery to residence – In lieu of the Rise and Shine Breakfast program on campus, NCSAC delivered pre-bagged food to the Welland campus residence. The Canadian Food and Wine Institute made a similar delivery to the residence at the Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Knights! The form on t.co/PZzdosPjbm is open again! We’ll help the next 250 students and get grocery gift cards into the hands of students who truly need one. #studentshelpingstudents
— Your NCSAC! (@yourNCSAC) March 26, 2020
Student Services
Engagement, Advising & Career Services (EAC) is providing online support to students in a variety of ways, with the main hub of information and engagement opportunities through Instagram (@getinvolvedNC). EAC is working with the various departments across the college to bring students interactive support, resources, activities, and giveaways in an effort to keep students part of the NC community.
Online initiatives include:
- Weekly goal setting contests;
- Nightly meditations with HWAS’s Michelle MacIntosh;
- Ask an Academic Advisor;
- LEAD Talks on IGTV with college staff, faculty, and industry professionals (once weekly episodes);
- Job search tips and tricks with our Career Consultants;
- Adding to student-sourced Spotify playlists (NC Group Playlist);
- Weekly reminders about the resources available to students, how to contact staff, and how to stay motivated during this uncertain time;
- Fun Friday giveaways – reminding students to make it a priority for the weekend to be fun in any way they can (while practicing social distancing) and sharing ideas with others on how to make the weekends special;
- And other fun activities in collaboration with the other departments: Mood Walks, Sustainability challenges, cooking tutorials, and sharing content with other students.
Pre-planned activities will be available in advance on NCSAC’s online event calendar, but students are encouraged to check out @getinvolved stories daily to stay up to date on all the activities going on.
www.instagram.com/tv/B-M5lPpJyVO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Share the Goods – CSEL is encouraging students to utilize the Share the Goods program, which allows anyone to sign-up to receive additional help they may need during COVID-19, or sign-up to provide help and support to those in need. The team behind the initiative will match the parties based on needs and geographical location.
www.instagram.com/p/B-AnpB8BJB3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Athletics
Daily home workouts – Athletics is encouraging students to stay active at home via social media, using the hashtag #ncstayhomefitchallenge, to engage students and staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Instructional videos are being curated by fitness coordinators. All are encouraged to share photos and videos of how they’re staying active
Sports skill videos – NC’s coaches and athletes will be demonstrating sports-specific skills for students to practice at home.
Instagram Live fitness classes – Student can participate in fitness and dance classes instructed live on IGTV.
Nutritional resources – Sharing tips for healthy eating and food preparation.
Good Morning Knights! We've enlisted the help of our varsity athletes for this weeks Workout of the Week. Head over to @nc_knights on Instagram to see the demonstration 💪 pic.twitter.com/YdCYHyL1Lc
— Niagara College Knights (@NC_Knights) March 30, 2020
Health Wellness & Accessibility
Virtual meditation – Daily mindful meditation hosted by Michelle MacIntosh at 8 p.m. on Instagram Live and Instagram TV. Each meditation is at least five minutes and include some teaching on how to calm the mind through this time.
KORU virtual meditation groups – Beginning April 9, KORU is a four session meditation class that offers students personal meditation by NC’s Michelle MacIntosh via the KORU app.
Counselor sessions by phone/video – Students can make an appointment via email [email protected] or phone: 905-641-2252 x4409 (NOTL) or x7778 (Welland) and leave a voice mail message.
Daily “walk-in” appointments – Counselors have same-day appointments available each day on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Calendar of workshops – Students can look out for a calendar of virtual workshops and events.
Peer Wellness program – An adaptation of this program will be offered via Zoom sessions and telephone support.
Thrive – A five-part resiliency program to support students through adapting to online learning.
International
Q&A Zoom meetings – Housing and International Student advisors are hosting twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) Zoom meetings as an open-forum for questions and concerns from international students.
Survey – International is currently administering a survey to students to get a better idea of how they would like to connect on different platforms.
For the full International events calendar, visit international.niagaracollege.ca/events
Sustainability
March 31 – Seek & iNaturalist tutorial – Sustainability will take to their sustainabilitync Instagram (IGTV) for a demo on how to use the Seek and iNaturalist app.
April 7 – Virtual picnic – Getting outside while maintaining social and physical distance tips, Sustainability will host a virtual meal outside for staff and students as the weather gets nicer.
April 9 to April 14 – Virtual backyard Bioblitz – Details to come.
April 22 – Earth day – Programming TBD.
NCTRAC
Therapeutic activities – Recreation Therapy students will guide students via Instagram on how to create zentangles, blackout poetry, and self care cards.
Indigenous Education
Virtual Lounge – Regular virtual lounge chats for students.
Twitter contest – Encouraging social distancing and engaging with others on social media.
