Kingsley Ikeata, a student who works for Housing, loads care packages on
a cart to be delivered to students in isolation or quarantine.
Image credit - Elizabeth Lienau
Faculty work in partnership to fill care packages for students in isolation, quarantine
Sep 25, 2020
Faculty members across campus have partnered with the Division of Student Affairs to fill care packages for residential students who are in isolation or quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols.
The We Care Project is a collaborative effort among faculty, the Dean of Students' care team, and Housing and Residence Life.
Melanie Shell-Weiss, associate professor and chair of integrative, religious, and intercultural studies, said Brooks College faculty and staff members initially discussed the idea of collecting items for students. The initiative was later unanimously approved by the Executive Committee of University Academic Senate.
"All faculty and staff are here for our students, even if we are primarily seeing those who are isolated and quarantined through our computer and phone screens right now," Shell-Weiss said. "We also wanted to recognize the terrific work being done by the Dean of Students' Care Team and Housing."
Items like books, puzzles, snacks, personal letters and more can be dropped off at the locations listed below. Suggested ideas can be found online.
- Allendale Campus: IRIS Department Main Office, 324 Lake Ontario Hall (Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Pew Grand Rapids Campus: Center for Adult and Continuing Studies, 718 Eberhard Center (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Donations will be taken through October. Shell-Weiss said 150 care packages have been filled since September 21.
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