Campus Accessibility and Wellness Fair arms students with information
(Left to Right) Maya Bartell, Madison Pohl, Dr. David Chapman, Mariah Lossing, Katherine Lew, Sophia Chenel.
By KC Meredyk
On Friday, Sept. 29, St. Kate’s held an Accessibility and Accommodations Fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a panel of speakers at 4 p.m. A number of campus offices and organizations tabled at the event. The fair’s purpose was to create an opportunity for students to learn more about the resources available to them. As the panel speakers emphasized, just because you are getting by without accommodations doesn’t mean that you should continue white-knuckling through college if it could be easier. There is no shame in needing help.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Mariah Lossing, director of Student Accessibility and Accommodations, was tabling at the event. The aim of Accessibility and Accommodations is to provide assistance in removing barriers to education. The office assists with anything from a temporary injury to neurodivergence and chronic illness. The Accessibility and Accommodations office is connected to just about everything on campus, from housing and the dining hall to faculty. Lossing notes that due to the historic structures on campus, accessibility and navigating various pathways and buildings can be challenging. The Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations follows the Association on Higher Education and Disability’s best practices, which means that documentation is not always required. To learn more, you can email them at accessibility@stkate.edu, visit their website or drop by CdC 21 during office hours.
Poster board showing the mission statement and types of services offered by Student Accessibility and Accommodations.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides mostly one-on-one sessions either online or in person. They have walk-ins every day at 2 p.m. They also have Let’s Talk, which is a 15- to 20-minute consultation offered on weekdays 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Let’s Talk is not therapy but can be a way to dip your toes in or talk over a single issue. They also have a 24/7 line available for all students on campus or off, which you can call at 651-690-6805. All forms and information are available on the Counseling Center’s website.
They also have a therapy dog on Fridays 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the library, room 127D! Her name is Tshennón:ni (tsun-oo-nee). She’s a very fluffy white samoyed.
Residence Life
Director of Housing Sabrina Anderson and David Skelton, residence hall operations and University services specialist, were tabling for Residence Life and Housing. Anderson said that they are working on getting in front of admission events to ensure students know accessible accommodations are available, before they decide whether to attend St. Kate’s. Anderson also noted that there is a need for more accessible spaces to accommodate students. To learn more, contact Residence Life at residencelife@stkate.edu.
Residence Life provided a chart comparing the features and amenities of the housing options on campus. Factors are bedroom arrangements, ADA spaces, bathroom arrangements, air-conditioning, kitchens, elevators and laundry. Notably, only Morrison and Rauenhurst have ADA-compliant rooms.
Center for Spirituality and Social Justice
Zach Ludwig, the Campus Minister, was tabling for CSSJ. He talked about how CSSJ worked in the past to create the campus Food Access Hub, and noted that they try to function as an additional support and advocacy group depending on student interests — the pressing concern is a more accessible prayer space for students as the current one does not have elevator access. To learn more about progress toward creating an accessible multi-faith space, see this article.
TRIO Student Support
Jordan Vlasak, a student who was tabling for TRIO, explained they are a federally funded program supporting first-generation, low-income and disabled college students. They serve as additional academic advising and provide workshops for various skills, such as money management. TRIO also provides a broader support system for students.
If you are interested in applying to join, this handout shows the requirements and the deadlines. The deadline for this fall is coming up fast on Monday, Oct. 16.
Students at the TRIO booth behind their orange ‘70s-themed poster board.
Disability Identity Group (DIG)
Students Sophia Chmel and Elise Fine represented the Disability Identity Group (DIG). DIG is a support group for anyone who identifies as having a disability or who uses accommodations. The group provides a network for advocacy and advice, plus a general community.
DIG’s first session this year was on Tuesday, Oct. 3. If you would like to join, email them at disabilityidentitygroup@stkate.edu.
A purple poster board with contact information and an overview of the activities DIG hosts.
Special Olympics Club
The Special Olympics Club aims to connect students with and without disabilities through sport. They meet twice a month in the Butler Center for an hour to play a game such as basketball, soccer or floor hockey. Playing is optional, and as Bronwyn Hicks put it, “You don’t have to be good. I’m not, and I always have lots of fun!” There will be a meeting later this month on Sunday, Oct. 29 1 p.m.-2 pm.
If you want to get involved, you can email them at specialolympicsclub@stkate.edu or follow them on Instagram @unifiedkaties.
Bronwyn Hicks (left) and Katherine Lew (right) stand behind their poster board advertising Special Olympics Club’s activities.
Pre-Healthcare Club
The Pre-Healthcare Club is specifically for people who want to go into healthcare. They provide students without prior connections opportunities like shadowing practitioners. If you are someone who might need accommodations for these opportunities, they can help to set those up.
To learn more, contact them at prehealthcareclub@stkate.edu.
