logo

A Newsletter for the Faculty and Staff of Northeastern Illinois University
Fall 2009

Topics in this issue:
Counseling Office continues "Don't cancel that class!" program

After the success of this program last year, we continue to ask you, "don't cancel that class!" If you won't be on campus for one of your class sessions this coming term, "don't cancel that class!"  Instead, let the Counseling Office make a presentation in your class during the time you will be away.  We can make presentations about a variety of topics, depending on the nature of your class and the needs of your students.

Some topics include:
 While we can't cover every class period, we will try hard to make ourselves available.  Advance notice helps us be available to meet with your class, so please plan early.  To explore the possibility of a Counseling Office presentation in your class, call us at ext 4650 or email us here. Remember, when you can't be in class, perhaps we can - don't cancel that class!


Behavioral Concerns Team

BCT_website_300.jpgNEIU's Behavioral Concerns Team (BCT) is an interdisciplinary team developed to respond to non-emergency concerns about disturbing or distressing behavior on campus. The BCT tries to respond to incidents before they become emergencies, in a proactive and prevention-minded approach, to keep them from becoming emergencies.

The BCT works to providing a centralized listening and response function regarding problematic behavior. When you find yourself concerned about the behavior of a student in your class, a colleague or another member of the university community, contact the BCT for help, for guidance and advice, and to alert us to your concerns.  The BCT website explains more about the team, how it works, and how to contact team members.  The website also has advice on responding to students in distress, as well as handling student conduct issues.  So please visit the BCT's website and use it when you become concerned about somebody's behavior on campus. 

For more information, please e-mail BCT@neiu.edu or call:  
Career counseling moved to the Office of Career Services

For many years, students seeking help with their career choices and their job searches had to figure out where to receive help - career counseling, the beginning steps in this process, was offered as a service of the Counseling Office, while the later parts of this process, finding internships, developing resumes, practicing interview skills, and job recruitment events were provided by different people in a different office, the Placement Office, now called Career Services.  As part of the reorganization of Student Affairs, career counseling has moved to the Office of Career Services, and now all career-development-related services are housed within one unit.

The Office of Career Services, in Room B119, now offers the full gamut of career-related assistance to NEIU students, including To refer students for career-related assistance, have them contact the Office of Career Services in room B119. They can also call 773.442.4680 or visit them online.
 
Mindfulness Meditation
 
Meditation has been described as the art of paying attention, and mindfulness meditation is an approach to meditation popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Kabat-Zinn has developed and researched the effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction for over 30 years.

Regular mediation practice can relax the mind and body, increase awareness, energy and concentration, and reduce stress, anxiety and worry. Techniques used in this practice include guided meditation, breathing exercises and gentle stretching. While these strategies are powerful, they only work if you use them, and use them regularly(!).  A small group setting is the ideal way to learn these techniques and receive support as you practice. By attending the mindfulness mediation workshops regularly, you can learn powerful tools for calming your mind and increasing your ability to concentrate and focus, gradually changing the "stressed out" habits of mind and developing more effective strategies for dealing with the challenges of living. Many studies demonstrate the effectiveness of mediation and mindfulness in reducing stress, improving mood, increasing enthusiasm for life, and providing a host of physical benefits, from healing to enhancing immune system functioning.

The Counseling Office offers mindfulness medication workshops 3 times each week: Mindfulness meditation workshops are all held in room D 029.  Both students and staff are welcome.  You may attend as many sessions as you like , although we encourage regular attendance to maximize your learning and develop a regular practice. For more information, we recommend these books:  Wherever you go, there you are, Jon Kabat-Zinn (1994) and Coming to our senses: Healing ourselves and the world, Jon Kabat-Zinn (2005).
 
  How to contact us Fall 2006 ~ Spring 2007 ~ Fall 2007 ~ Spring 2008 ~ Fall 2008 ~ Spring 2009