During Tuesday’s forum, Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., shared survey data from the American Council on Education.
Within it were alarming numbers regarding the mental health and well-being of the nation’s college students.
In reading the email aloud during Tuesday’s Chancellor’s Forum, Dr. Gold said three out of 10 undergrads surveyed had been clinically diagnosed with depression, one in four college students had issues with anxiety and one in 20 had created a suicide plan in the past year.
“These numbers are real,” Dr. Gold said. “And, we are not immune.”
The campus has worked diligently to both destigmatize mental health issues and increase awareness of campus resources, he said. “I don’t have a magic solution, but I’m asking that if you ‘see something, say something.’
“This is a huge initiative that we all own,” Dr. Gold said.
Following an update on the Budget Response Team process (see sidebar), Dr. Gold noted that the NU Board of Regents have approved a “modest” biennial budget request, seeking increases in state funding of 3 percent in 2019-20 and 3.7 percent in 2020-21. More will be known after the Nebraska economic forecasting board’s meeting in February.
His message to the legislature? Invest in higher education. Without it, he said, workforce needs will go unmet and talented students will go elsewhere.
In the meantime, Dr. Gold said, the university is “carefully and thoughtfully moving ahead with critical (faculty and staff) positions” and continues to raise philanthropic dollars for such projects as the planned move of the Munroe-Meyer Institute from its existing location on the UNMC Omaha campus to the former First Data building on Pine Street, located near the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Scott Campus.
Other construction projects remain on schedule including the Davis Global Center and the renovation of the Williams Science Hall and McGoogan Library. With campus space at a premium, Dr. Gold has asked UNMC’s Facilities Management and Planning leaders to refresh the facility masterplan and look for opportunities to provide for needed research and office space.
Dr. Gold also noted:
- The NU Board of Regents will meet Thursday to consider his appointment as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. If approved, Dr. Gold would serve as UNO chancellor. While continuing to serve as UNMC chancellor, such an appointment would provide stability and enhance recruitment opportunities, while continuing opportunities to collaborate. “This is by no means a merger or attempt to dilute the identity of any campus,” Dr. Gold said, emphasizing that strong collaborations exist with each of the NU campuses.
- He’s received — at home — his new NUFlex benefit cards for 2019. He also discussed provider disruption, which was only reported by a single member of the larger group present.
- Leaders will meet this month to discuss goal setting and strategic planning for the campus.
I suggest you invite Dr. Aviad Haramati from Georgetown University who has been making great strides in medical education and wellness of medical students. I heard him recently and I think students and faculty alike would learn a lot from his approach. He can be found here
https://centile.georgetown.edu/Aviad%20Haramati%2C%20PhD