Covid-19 Info Center

March 27, 2020

Virtual student support resources

Dear students,

Instead of walking down a buzzing Infinite to get to our classes, labs, or offices, most of us are working from home, looking out at quiet neighborhood streets and watching winter slowly changing to a spring no one could have imagined. It is a strange feeling to say the least.

Everyone in the MIT community is working to create a “new normal” in light of the changes Covid-19 has required of us. But even in the face of these challenges some things do not change: our community is responding with extraordinary resilience, care, creativity, and grit. We are learning new ways of being, of listening, and of interacting. At times like this, it’s easy to feel lucky to be a part of this special place.

In advance of online classes starting on Monday, March 30, we are writing to remind you that staff are still here to support you personally. We may connect with you in different ways, but we are all committed to supporting you if and when you need it, even if you are in a different geographical location. The resources that you are familiar with accessing on campus have been virtualized and will remain available throughout the remainder of the spring semester and for as long as necessary.

Please refer to the resources below for information on how to connect with the staff in these offices remotely. They are prepared to stay in touch with you in a variety of ways, including phone, email, and Zoom meetings.

Academic and personal support

The offices below continue to be available during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) for non-emergency consultation and support.

Disability and Access Services (DAS) supports students with disability accommodations and access needs.

  • Email das-student@mit.edu
  • If you are already approved for accommodations, please remember to contact your faculty to work out accommodation logistics.

OGE GradSupport provides consultation and advocacy to graduate students on matters related to academic and life challenges to enhance well-being.

  • Email gradsupport@mit.edu or call 617-253-4860
  • If you have worked with a dean in GradSupport previously, please reach out to them directly.

Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL) provides counseling and advice to students on topics of religion and other spiritual matters.

  • Many chaplains will be hosting virtual office hours during this time. Visit this website to learn how to connect with the ORSEL staff and programs.

Student Mental Health & Counseling Services (SMHCS) works with students to identify, understand, and solve problems, and to help transform that understanding into positive action.

  • Call 617-253-2916
  • If you have an existing relationship with a clinician, please reach out to them directly for non-urgent consultations.

Student Support Services (S3) provides support to undergraduate students through academic and personal challenges.

  • Email s3-support@mit.edu or call 617-253-4861
  • If you have worked with a staff member in S3 previously, please reach out to them directly.

After-hours and 24/7 resources

The Dean on Call is available to support students on nights, weekends, and holidays.

  • Call 617-253-1212 and ask to speak with the Dean on Call. If you provide your name and phone number, the Dean on Call will call you back.

MIT Police are available to respond to on-campus emergencies.

  • Call 617-253-1212

SMHCS Clinician on Call is available when SMHCS is closed during nights and weekends.

  • Call 617-253-2916

The Violence Prevention and Response (VPR) Confidential Hotline is available 24/7 for students who need safety planning or immediate support concerning relationship and/or sexual violence issues.

  • Call 617-253-2300

For additional resources that are available during this time, visit this page, which features up-to-date information about services offered across the Institute.

Among MIT’s greatest strengths are the people and the vibrant community that we build together. To keep you and our community strong through this unprecedented time, we are committed to supporting you. And please remember, we will find ways to create an Infinite connection to one another no matter where we are over the course of the semester.

Sincerely,

David Randall
Senior Associate Dean, Student Support & Wellbeing
Division of Student Life

Blanche Staton
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Office of Graduate Education