UPEI sets up Mission Control centre to support students over the holidays
The University of Prince Edward Island has established a three-tier system to deliver support, services, and access to entertainment and activities to students who are either self-isolating on PEI or not able travel home for the holiday break.
Anne Bartlett, interim Director of Student Affairs, said, “We recognize that this a difficult time for many of our students because they will be away from family and friends, so we have set up what we are calling ‘Mission Control’, so that students feel supported throughout the holidays, when typically, many of our administrative departments are closed.”
There are three tiers to the system, which involves staff from UPEI Student Affairs, International Student Office, Counselling Services, Registrar’s Office, Admissions, Work Integrated Learning, International Relations, and Residence Services, along with faculty and students from the Doctor of Psychology program.
Tier One involves the Mission Control centre, which is located in room 142 of Bill and Denise Andrew Hall. It will be staffed daily from 10 am–2 pm, December 16–January 10. Student staff will call and email students who are quarantining in the self-isolation hotel to check in with them; organize online activities for students self-isolating on PEI; collaborate with residence life advisors (RLAs) to deliver in-person activities for students who have stayed on the Island; answer questions and direct students to services; and refer students if they are in need of further support and services to Tier Two. To reach Mission Control, students can email quarantine@upei.ca or phone 902-566-6099.
Tier Two involves various staff who have volunteered to be on call daily from 12–2 pm, December 16–January 10. If the Mission Control staff feel that students may need additional support, they are able to offer a same-day call back from a Tier Two team member. If the team member feels the student requires more mental health support, they can offer a further session with a UPEI counsellor or Doctor of Psychology student (Tier Three).
Tier Three involves UPEI counsellors and Doctor of Psychology students who will be on call daily from 2–4 pm, December 16–January 10, to contact students who are self-isolating and need additional assistance. Tier Three team members will provide coping strategies to help students get through their self-isolation period and provide options until the University re-opens in January.
The University has also distributed an extensive resource catalogue to students that includes contact information for support services, activities, and health care.
