U. plans review of SHARE

“I think it’s important to review what we do, how we offer services and determine if there are areas of improvement. Times of transition (including the departure of an individual in a director’s position) often make sense as a moment to reflect on an office or program,” UHS Executive Director John Kolligian said in an e-mail, noting that it is common practice for University offices and departments to conduct these periodic reviews.

After consulting with Vice President for Campus Life Cynthia Cherrey, Kolligian created a task force to conduct a “focused” review of the SHARE office and use these findings to inform the search for a new director, which has been postponed until later this spring. The task force will be co-chaired by Kolligian and Treby Williams, assistant vice president for safety and administrative planning, and the content areas that they will consider are currently being finalized. Rebecca Giagnacova has come on board as interim SHARE coordinator, and Anita McLean, current director of Counseling and Psychological Services, is also covering some of the SHARE director’s responsibilities.

“Our approach is to convene a small core group of members who will meet weekly and assume primary responsibility for this focused review of best practices related to campus sexual assault offices,” Kolligian added.

He also stated that the group will consult with an ad hoc group of advisers who will help assist as needed. Advisers will be drawn from groups including the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, Public Safety, UHS, Office of General Counsel, and student organizations such as SHARE peer advisors and Student Health Advisory Board. Meetings will begin this month, and the group is expected to make recommendations to Cherrey in March.

Kolligian explained that the group hopes to serve as a “springboard” for the SHARE director search.

“One overarching goal is to take a fresh look at some emerging best practices in the field and cull out promising areas for the new director to consider,” he said, emphasizing that it is common practice for offices and departments to conduct periodic reviews.

Kolligian added that UHS wants to continue providing the “important support and educational services” to all members of the University community. To achieve this, the group may modify the director’s position description.

One of the UHS’s goals for the future is to find more ways to reach students who might be “reluctant” to seek out their services, he explained.

“Our interdisciplinary mind-body health team is a promising beginning, as this UHS team is integrating new medical and psychological knowledge to craft more effective interventions for students and staff,” Kolligian explained.

He added that UHS will continue to expand wellness offerings, emphasizing mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress management as well as other programs beyond UHS’s borders.

“We also are working to increase accessibility through improving our online presence and capabilities and are looking into newer interventions to advance the role of health in student learning and success,” Kolligian said.

UHS is available for any student seeking medical or psychological assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the academic year. UHS provides services in areas such as sexual health and wellness, nutrition, medical services, and counseling and psychological services.