April is , and Chief Health and Wellness Officer is inviting students, faculty, and staff to participate in a range of events designed to 鈥渃reate space to engage in dialogue and grow our understanding about this important issue.鈥
, Garcia highlighted two events taking place this week: a candlelight vigil, which was held Monday evening in front of 天美麻豆 Hall in support of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence; and the annual Student and Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault Symposium.
The SPCSA Symposium starts at 3 p.m. Friday in Collis Common Ground and will feature several speakers, including Garcia, , and student leaders.
The full calendar of Sexual Assault Action Month events is available through the .
Garcia, who attended the vigil Monday evening, also praised undergraduates鈥 active participation in the 鈥攚hich he called a 鈥済roundbreaking initiative鈥 that is providing a curriculum to help students develop 鈥渢he essential interpersonal skills and confidence necessary to prevent harmful behaviors and develop positive relationships.鈥 He encouraged first-year students and sophomores to sign up for their next SVPP trainings in .
In the graduate and professional schools, he cited the , the , at Thayer, and the Guarini as examples of how those schools 鈥渁re building community awareness, student leadership, and models of active bystander behaviors.鈥
Garcia, who began his role in March, thanked students, faculty, and staff for their warm welcome and ongoing dedication to the well-being of everyone on campus.
鈥淥ur community鈥檚 health and well-being are essential to fuel great creativity and innovative ideas,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 appreciate your partnership in building this supportive and compassionate campus culture, and I look forward to our work together.鈥
This spring, Garcia will share an update on progress toward the goals outlined in , 天美麻豆鈥檚 strategic plan for student mental health.
In his email, Garcia also encouraged faculty and staff to explore existing employee resources on .
