Thinking of you as the fall term comes to a close

December 6, 2019

Suzy M. Nelson, Vice President and Dean for Student Life, 2016–2021 |

Dear students,

With the semester winding down and the holidays fast approaching, I write to ask that you take a moment to think about your own self-care and that you take the time to rest, to get proper nourishment, and to do something refreshing and restorative for yourself.

At this time of year, it’s very easy to put everything else ahead of our own wellbeing. I know because this is even a struggle for me. Of course, for some in our community, extra emotional, financial, or academic pressure can make customary year-end stress harder to manage. If you find that you need some help, I hope you will reach out to the staff across MIT who stand ready to assist you as you complete these final few weeks of the term and look forward to a well-deserved break.

We have put together a website that lists some of the ways you can get support and food during the holidays and IAP. You can also find many resources at the ARM Coalition website or by pressing the heart-shaped Student Support button on the MIT Mobile app.

Until we all gather again in February, best of luck on your finals. Please take good care of yourself, and safe travels over the winter break.

Best,

Suzy M. Nelson
Vice President and Dean for Student Life

Take care of your mind

Student Mental Health and Counseling works with students to identify, to understand, to solve problems, and to help transform that understanding into positive action.
Student Support Services (S3) is a friendly and easily accessible hub of support for undergraduates.
The Office of Graduate Education offers advice and counsel on personal and academic matters.
Check out the de-stress events sponsored by MindHandHeart this month.

Take care of your body

MIT Dining fall meal plans end after dinner on December 20, and all dining halls will close. The IAP meal plan begins with brunch on January 5, 2020. Meals will be served in Maseeh.
Retail eateries in the Student Center are open except for December 23-26 and December 30-January 2, 2020. Bosworth’s, Forbes Café, and the Koch Café will operate with reduced hours, which will be posted online in the coming days.
If you don’t have money for food, you can contact S3 (for undergraduates) or Dean Naomi Carton at naomic@mit.edu (for grad students). You can also request swipes through SwipeShare to use in the dining halls when they are open.
Stay active! Check the DAPER website for their holiday hours.

Take care of your relationships

SPXCE Intercultural Center, a collaboration of the Office of Multicultural Programs and LBGTQ@MIT, is a place where students can feel at home and be supported in their wholeness.
Chaplains in the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life are available for confidential counseling, support, and guidance.
Contact the house teams in your residence halls or GRAs in your FSILGs.

Reach out if you need help

To reach the Dean on Call, call MIT Police (617-253-1212) then ask to speak to the Dean on Call. (Available Monday through Friday, 5 pm–9 am, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and all MIT-observed holidays.)