Resources for staying healthy and keeping safe

The following was sent to all students on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from Dean Jason Campbell-Foster, Dr. Judy Platt, MD, Chief Health Officer and Executive Director of Student Health Services, and Kelly Nee, Chief Safety Officer, of Security & Preparedness.

Terriers, 

Thank you for bringing the electricity back with you from summer break! Campus is alive again and it is so good to see you all.  As you resume your life on campus, we’d like to share a few reminders and resources to help you (and us) prioritize your health, wellbeing and safety. 

First and foremost, Terriers take care of each other. One of the best things about BU is our tight-knit community, despite our size. Find ways to engage with new friends and classmates through whatever speaks to you, whether it’s joining a club, doing service projects, or cheering on our Terriers – and look out for one another as you do.   

Familiarize yourself with the University Good Samaritan Policy, which means that you can get help in an alcohol or drug emergency without fear of judicial action – even if you’re under 21. Consider participating in bystander intervention trainings to learn how you can be most helpful to a friend or peer who may find themselves in a difficult situation. Read through the BU Lifebook and the Code of Student Responsibilities and understand what we expect of one another.  

We need you to be considerate of our community, not only as a BU student, but also, as residents of the city of Boston. Please be mindful and respectful of your neighbors and if you see something, say something. Keeping our community safe depends on all of us. Check out BU’s Safety Awareness for Everyone.  We also keep our community informed through campus-wide messaging through our BU Alert system. Please sign up!  

Remember, too, that you are living in a city, and that it is important that you remain aware of your surroundings. Unfortunately, not everyone will have your best interests in mind, so be sure to do things like locking your residence, bikes, and cars and not leaving personal items unattended. Be aware that frauds and scams can come from unfamiliar email addresses and phone numbers. Know that no entity from any government will request money or payment in any form from you over the phone.  If something occurs and you do need assistance, please refer to the back of your Terrier card, which has helpful contact information for BU Police, the Scarlet Safe Walk, and Student Health Services.  

Whether you’ve returned to campus, or are here for the first time, we understand that the semester can have unexpected struggles. There are many resources on campus if you need support emotionally, physically, or otherwise.  

• Student Health Services provides free and confidential healthcare services including mental health counseling and peer support through Togetherall and All Ears. This short video shows what’s available to you in times of need. 
• SARP offers free and confidential support to any student who has experienced interpersonal violence or other trauma. Learn more about survivor services. 
• The Student Wellbeing Office has an easy-to-use list of campus resources to support all the dimensions of your wellbeing. This includes the BU Food Pantry for any student who may be facing food insecurity. 
• The Dean of Students Office offers emergency funds for students facing unexpected crises.   

We wish you all the best for a healthy, productive and, above all, joyful fall semester.  

To your health and safety, 

Judy Platt
Chief Health Officer and Executive Director, Student Health Services 

Jason Campbell-Foster
Dean of Students 

Kelly Nee
Chief Safety, Security & Preparedness Officer