SGA updated on counseling center improvements, diversity events
Tony Voisin, Melissa Hutchinson and A.T. Miller spoke to the SGA on Oct. 8
Interim Director of Counseling Services Melissa Hutchinson speaks to the Student Government Association on Oct. 8 in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.
The Counseling Center heard the requests of Central Michigan University students for better mental health services. After implementing some changes, the director of Counseling Services thinks they're heading in the right direction.
Interim Director of Counseling Services Melissa Hutchinson and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Anthony Voisin were invited to the Student Government Association general board meeting on Oct. 8 to address recent improvements made to the Counseling Center.
"A year ago, we knew the counseling center services were a problem," Hutchinson said. "It took some time for us to get headed in the next direction. It’s time to make a difference for CMU students."
Hutchinson and Voisin sat down last year to identify problems within the counseling center. It wasn't as easy as hiring additional counselors -- it required a change in structure.
Student Government Association meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. Meetings are free to attend, but students must bring their CMU Global ID cards to check in prior to entering.
The first problem they needed to address was the long waiting list. They had a "one-size-fits-all" model, meaning it was harder for students "in crisis" to get the help they needed.
"I am happy to announce we do not currently have a waiting list," Hutchinson said. "On this date last year, we had 45 students on the waiting list. If you call tomorrow morning, we can get you in tomorrow."
Hutchinson explained that a "student in crisis" is a student with safety concerns, though that can mean something different for every student.
She said if a student calls the center and says they are in crisis, the center will get them in, no questions asked.
"It isn't our place to judge what a student believes is a crisis," she said.
They have also implemented a "Stepped Care" system, which is meant to provide individualized care to each student. Each student will receive different levels of treatment based on their individual needs, which they may "step up" or "step down" at any time.
This system is meant to engage students in their own care and to teach coping skills, Hutchinson said.
They have also added "Walk-In Wednesdays," when students can walk in during the hours of 1-4 p.m. for 20-minute consultations. Hutchinson hopes it will allow students to stop by the center more casually.
SGA representatives asked the guest speakers if they are prepared for the incoming stress that will come with final exam week.
Voisin said that while many believe finals week is the most stressful time for students, the busiest time of the semester actually tends to be around weeks six and seven in the fall semester.
"The next few weeks is the real crunch time," he said. But they are hoping with the newly-improved system in place, they will be able to prevent the building of a waiting list in the incoming weeks.
Diversity in thought
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer A.T. Miller was also at the meeting. In his first address to the SGA, he spoke about his new role and his hopes to work with the CMU community to increase diversity outreach.
"It makes no sense to have one person in charge of diversity," he said. "I’m more of a supervisor."
Miller hopes to implement changes that will affect the structure of the university.
"We need a structure that is fully inclusive, a curricular that is fully inclusive, and an institution that is open to learning new things," he said.
SGA representatives asked Miller's opinion on "thought diversity," or the diversity between different opinions and beliefs.
He answered by sharing an upcoming event planned by the Office of Institutional Diversity called "Conversations That Matter."
On Monday, Oct. 22, students are invited to dinner to discuss immigration. The event is not meant to be a debate, but an opportunity for students and faculty to express their opinions and listen to others.
Those interested can RSVP by emailing the Office of Institutional Diversity at ode@cmich.edu.
"It’s a way to get you used to hearing things you hadn’t heard before," Miller said. With this event, and others planned for the future, he hopes to promote more thought diversity and inclusion of different beliefs on campus.
Candidates Forum
SGA will host its annual candidates forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15 in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.
Ten candidates for Mount Pleasant City Commission are invited to talk about their platforms and answer questions from students. The event will be live-streamed and students may submit questions online. This forum is free and open to the public.
