Lincoln, Neb. —Navigating the challenges of college can be a stressful time for both students and their parents. For students within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the CASNR CARES program can help during tough times.
The CASNR CARES program serves as the first point of contact for CASNR students, faculty, staff and parents who have questions or concerns or encounter a situation that affect a student’s educational experience.
CARES stands for Caring Attitudes and Respect for Every Student, and the program is dedicated to helping students personally and individually. Each student’s situation is different, and so are the solutions. All referrals of CASNR CARES are held in confidence and serves as the starting point for students.
The program originated with Sue Voss, known to many as “Momma Sue.” Over the course of her 17 years at CASNR, Voss became known around campus as someone who cared about students. Even if students just needed someone trustworthy to talk to, Voss was there.
Under Voss’s leadership, the program formed organically and continued to evolve when Nicole Frerichs, who now serves as an assistant dean for the college, took the reins as CASNR CARES coordinator.
Today, Frerichs, along with CASNR student development coordinator Megan Schaefer and others involved with the program, help students navigate counseling, tutoring and academic coaching resources. They listen when students need to discuss college stressors including roommate conflicts, financial stress, and balancing classes, work and other obligations.
“CASNR CARES is really to make sure students have a point of contact when something isn’t going right, or the way they hoped it would,” said Schaefer. “Sometimes that is sickness, academic challenges, finances, or a close friend has something going on – it really can just be a student saying, ‘I need help with this, and I don’t know where to go.’”
CASNR CARES help students navigate other stressors and disruptions as they come up, too.
“Right now, a big topic is remote learning -- assisting students to manage time effectively, navigating Canvas, the environment students are working in and how to meet with professors virtually,” Frerichs said.
For some students, the program can make a big difference.
“Meeting with Nicole has completely changed my experience at Nebraska. I think that if I hadn't started meeting with her, I would be having a very different college experience or be at a completely different college all together,” said CASNR student Abbie Philmalee.
CASNR CARES allows students to feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and know who to turn to in a time of support. Frerichs credited the program as one of the reasons for CASNR’s high retention rate.
CASNR CARES also serves as a resource for faculty and staff to help guide students whom they believe need assistance; as well as for parents concerned about their child’s success.
Students, faculty, staff and parents can reach out to Schaefer directly at 402-472-7812, 402-540-3328, megan.schaefer@unl.edu or schedule a visit through MyPlan in Canvas. Schaefer is also offering Zoom meetings for students who have left campus due to COVID-19.
“We care, and if something is not going right, get into touch and we’ll figure out how to best manage the challenge you’re having,” Schaefer said.
The CASNR CARES team offers 5 tips for coping during this online transition and self-distancing period:
- Create a routine
- Find a new hobby/project around the house
- Connect via Facetime, Skype, Zoom
- Get outside (within social distancing rules)
- Set boundaries with family, roommates and watching news
For more information, visit https://casnr.unl.edu/casnr-cares
By Natalie Jones, IANR Media