March 29, 2020
Dear Students,
I hope you and your families are safe and healthy, and you had a restful Spring Break. Welcome back. As we transition to remote instruction on Monday, March 30, 2020, I want to remind you that the Dean’s office and your instructors are here to help make this transition as stress-free as possible.
You may have heard that Stony Brook University is being utilized as a field hospital with over 1000 beds being made available. Given the increase activity on the Campus on the medical side, I urge you not to come to Campus.
The faculty have worked on revising the course syllabi to represent the remote learning experience you will be embarking on. Again, we realize this is a new experience for you and we are here to assist you.
We also understand that many of you now have competing priorities (children at home, family members and friends who need assistance, financial hardships, your education, etc.). Please reach out to your program leaders and faculty to assist in ways that we are able.
The University continues to provide assistance and services to those in need from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) https://www.stonybrook.edu/caps/
Assistance with technology can be found at SBU Student Support Services: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/studentaffairs/studentsupport/
Please also remember to relax and get the rest you need. Relaxation techniques can be a helpful way to reduce stress and improve the quantity and quality of sleep. Better quality sleep improves your ability to cope with difficult times and leads to a more productive, happier and healthier you. Relaxation can include: Meditation, Deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation. Daily exercise can also elevate your mood and help you sleep more soundly at night. Here are some resources that may be helpful:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201701/5-relaxation-techniques-better-sleep
- https://thesleepdoctor.com/2017/05/22/benefits-exercise-sleep/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201309/better-sleep-found-exercising-regular-basis-0
- https://chopracentermeditation.com/
You may have received an email about grading options for Spring courses. Please note that it has been the policy of the School of Health Technology and Management (SHTM) to not award P/NC grades. However, faculty are committed to your continued success as SHTM students and may have made accommodation with in your courses for grading as we continue in a remote environment.
Finally, you will receive an email asking you to sign an Honor Code. Your acceptance of the Code will help to guarantee the integrity of your education. Please follow the directions sent to you and return no later than April 3rd as directed in the email.
From all of us in the School of Health Technology and Management, we wish you health, safety, and continued academic success.
Sincerely,
Stacy Jaffee Gropack, PT., Ph.D., FASAHP
Dean and Professor
School of Health Technology and Management
