campus life

Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being

John Hollis — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 18:20:30 +0000

Mason partners with TimelyMD to improve student health and well-being John Hollis Mon, 10/24/2022 - 14:20

Mason and TimelyMD have partnered to improve student health and well-being. Graphic provided

��AV and TimelyMD have teamed up in an effort to improve student health and overall well-being with free and equitable access to mental health support.

The TimelyCare platform, which launched on October 17, provides a 24/7 virtual extension of campus counseling center resources to improve student well-being, engagement, and retention.

Using TimelyCare on a phone or other device, Mason students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states at no cost and without the hassle of traditional insurance.

Services included on-demand mental health and emotional support, appointment-based mental health counseling, psychiatric support, health coaching and digital self-care content in a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus resources.

“TimelyCare is a great complement, and supplement, that enhances our existing university support services,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Mark Ginsberg. “Students now have more options when looking for help—wherever they are and whenever they have a need.” 

In addition, faculty and staff have access to support that empowers them to guide students to TimelyCare resources to help students achieve a sense of well-being, live healthier lifestyles and improve their mental health.

Benefits to students include convenient 24/7 care, reduced wait times, a diverse provider network and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that TimelyCare is a safe, secure, and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

Student do not need insurance to access TimelyCare, and will have access to it until the last day of their graduating semester.

“The health and safety of our students is our top priority," said Rose Pascarell, Mason's vice president for University Life. “TimelyCare’s ease of use, convenience and immediacy make it easier than ever for our students to get the support they need, when they need it.” 

That’s just what Michelle Melo had in mind when the second-year master's student from Manila, Philippines, studying systems engineering first downloaded the TimelyCare app.

She said she found the platform “very easy” to use and of great value, especially to international students like herself who hail from cultures where there can be a stigma surrounding mental health issues.

“Having a resource to help our mental well-being will help us move away from the stigma that mental health is just a mood swing and actually assist us in receiving the help that we need,” Melo said.

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to the American Council on Education, student mental health is the top concern of college and university presidents and is also the number one reason students leave college. A recent report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation found that three out of four students in bachelor’s degrees programs who considered stopping out – stopping with the intention of returning to school – cited emotional stress as their reason.

Sixty percent of all students who have sought mental health support through TimelyCare said they would have done nothing if the service were not available, according to the company.

“Meeting the need for equitable, on-demand access to care is a critical challenge that extends beyond campus boundaries. TimelyCare allows colleges and universities like ��AV to solve problems rather than just treat symptoms,” said Luke Hejl, TimelyMD CEO and co-founder. “Our mission at TimelyMD is to improve the health and well-being of college students by making virtual care accessible anytime, anywhere. Through TimelyCare, we are proud to deliver best-in-class health and well-being solutions to help students thrive.”

Founded in 2017, TimelyMD serves more than a million students at more than 200 campuses nationwide.

Topics

Office of the Provost

TimelyMD

Strategic Direction

Seven move-in tips for incoming and returning Patriots

Mariam Aburdeineh — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 02:44:06 +0000

Seven move-in tips for incoming and returning Patriots Mariam Aburdeineh Sun, 08/14/2022 - 22:44

Moving to college is an exciting time, full of mixed emotions. It will certainly be one of the most memorable days of your college career and perhaps your life. ��AV’s Housing and Residence Life staff have put together a few pointers to set your expectations and help you understand the move-in process.

1. Stick to Your Assigned Move-In Schedule

Avoid the temptation to come early and stick to your assigned move-in day/time. As you can imagine, lots of students will be checking in. All students are assigned a move-in date, time, and residence hall entry point. Check your Mason email (or the email listed on your Housing application) to ensure you have the right schedule for your move-in. Move-in times are also posted here.

2. Clearly Label EVERYTHING, and Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Accessible

Label the boxes with your name, hall, and room number. It makes it easier for our move-in volunteers—the Move Crew—to help you bring things up to your room. Please read the Mason Housing move-in packing list so that you are familiar with what to bring and what to leave behind. Clorox wipes, paper towels, hand soap, anything you need right off—make sure this is packed at the top of your list. Keep a box marked “Unpack First,” and have all your necessities there.

Move Crew at Freshman Move-In. Photo by Evan Cantwell / Office of University Branding.

3. Check Out the Move-In Guide

What does the check-in process look like? Where do I get my Mason ID card from? What about COVID regulations? Where do I park? How do I use the TV? Is there a laundry room? All these questions and more are answered in this step-by-step Move-In Guide. So take time to read it thoroughly.

4. Move Crew Is Here to Help You

The Move Crew is a team of student volunteers who welcome our new and returning students and their families, help unload, carry your items, and enjoy the energy that comes with move-in day. Please let them assist you—they are there to make you feel at home.

If you feel more comfortable moving your own items in, Green Bins are available and can be picked up near your assigned building to avoid multiple trips back and forth. Green Bins will be available at the Rappahannock Parking Deck, Ángel Cabrera Global Center, Liberty Square, and Potomac Heights.

5. Be Open to New Experiences!

Looking for a way to make friends this fall? Preamble is a series of campus events during move-in for incoming Patriots to enjoy and to learn more about the Mason campus! Also check out the Mason 360 App for ways to meet other students. Look at Mason Events.

Freshmen Move-In. Photo by Evan Cantwell / Office of University Branding.

6. You’re Not Alone

Mason Housing staff are there for you 24/7. When in need, contact one of our desk teams for any issues—they will connect you to the correct staff if you don’t know where to go.

7. Read Your Emails and Newsletters—and Follow Us on Social Media

To stay informed with the latest move-in information, processes and deadline dates, follow us on social media, check your emails regularly, and ask our staff any questions you may have. And take responsibility to share information with your roommates.

Follow Mason Housing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

Best of luck in your move-in and #Welcome2Mason.

To learn more about move-in and Housing and Residence Life, check out the move-in guide.

For additional questions, call 703-993-2720 or email housing@gmu.edu.

Topics

New Students and Family Programs

Housing and Residence Life

Housing

Meet the Class of 2026

Roughly 4,000 Mason students expected to receive COVID-19 vaccinations this week

John Hollis — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 14:54:59 +0000

Roughly 4,000 Mason students expected to receive COVID-19 vaccinations this week John Hollis Thu, 04/22/2021 - 10:54

Julie Zobel called Wednesday’s initial COVID-19 vaccination clinic at EagleBank Arena for ��AV students the pinnacle of her team’s efforts in combating the spread of the virus.

Working in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health and regional public health agencies, Mason took a major step toward resuming a normal campus life by starting the inoculation of roughly 4,000 Mason students, all of whom will receive their first of two Moderna shots during scheduled clinics on April 21 and April 23.

George Mason student getting vaccine at Eagle Bank Covid-19 Clinic. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/��AV

“This is what we’ve been working for,” said Zobel, Mason’s associate vice president of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management. “This is why we started this clinic back in January so that we would be able to provide shots to faculty, staff and students. Seeing this come to fruition has been very satisfying.”

Roughly 2,000 students signed up for appointments for Wednesday’s first opportunity for students, and those in attendance were both happy and extremely relieved to be there.

A smoothly run operation by Zobel’s team made sure everybody was in and out of the arena in short order.

“This is a huge relief, and I’m just happy it’s over,” said Naser Al-Alami, a sophomore business major from Jordan. “I was a little apprehensive at first, but the more I read about it and the more people I knew who got the vaccine made me more comfortable.”

Others like biology graduate student and U.S. Army soldier Kyle Avery had different reasons for making sure to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Avery came down with COVID-19 a few months back, with his wife ultimately contracting it as well.

He said it was something he’d rather never experience again.

“I’m just happy it’s done,” he said.

The Mason COVID Response Team celebrated the vaccination of students with T-shirts. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Students received Moderna shots on Wednesday, and that is likely to be the case again on Friday, said David Farris, Mason’s executive director of Safety and Emergency Management.

Students who receive their first dose at Mason were given the opportunity to schedule their second dose four weeks later at Mason even if the second dose needed to be scheduled following the conclusion of the spring semester.

Students who don’t reside locally or can’t come back to Mason for their second dose have been encouraged to schedule their second dose near their permanent residence.

“It just feels good to get started,” said Kenneth Jones, a junior design art major from Woodbridge, Virginia. “Hopefully, we can all get back to normal soon.”

Topics

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

vaccinations

Safety

Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management

Campus News

campus life

Mason Winter Guard takes home the gold

Colleen Rich — Tue, 28 May 2019 09:02:07 +0000

Mason Winter Guard takes home the gold Colleen Rich Tue, 05/28/2019 - 05:02

Topics

campus life

Students