FroshMemo Issue 34 Fall '21

Greetings Gators and happy October!

We hope midterms have been treating you well! New Student and Family Programs proudly presents the October edition of FroshMemo! This article features a variety of helpful resources, student written articles, events going on around campus, and information regarding San Francisco State University. This memo is a fun and engaging way to enrich and empower your college experience and provide tools for academic success! We hope you can all take some information of use from these memos and that you are able to make it to any of the events being held this month! As midterms approach, we wish you all the best of luck and know that you will be successful! Remember to take care of yourself as you complete them and know that San Francisco State University supports you! You are validated, loved, and seen! Go Gators!

San Francisco has an amazing bus system that runs all throughout the city. Perfect for exploring! 

 

Your SFSU OneCard/Gator Pass, which also acts as your student ID, can be used as a Clipper card — the all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area. Included as a part of tuition and fees, students get unlimited rides on Muni (with the exception of cable cars) and a 50% discount on all BART rides to and from the Daly City BART station.

Just remember to tap your card on the Clipper Card reader (usually located near the door) whenever you board!

Download the Transit app or use Google Maps to learn how to get around the city.

 

Now that you know about the OneCard/Gator Pass, go out and explore! Here are some places in SF you should visit: 

  1. The Embarcadero — Take a scenic stroll with friends or by yourself along the waterfront of San Francisco. Visit Pier 39, the farmer’s market, and many more as well.
  2. Dolores Park — Have a picnic with friends or spend some time outside in the sun alone.
  3. Ocean Beach — Watch the beautiful sunrise or sunset, or have a barbeque with friends using one of the fire pits located along the beach. 

 

Being a student, I remember going to college orientation in the Bay Area for the first time. I remember feeling a little scared and intimidated transitioning into the city, because I come from a small town located by the desert in Southern California where there is not much to be seen there. But when I took my first step into campus, I fell in love with what I saw. There was a diverse student population, various school organizations, and a vibrant warm atmosphere that energized me for some reason. However, what really spoke to me and made me feel like I belonged was seeing a small gay pride flag be proudly flown on campus, visible for everyone to see. This was such a small gesture, yet I felt seen, heard, and validated.

That was my first real experience stepping into college in the Bay Area. 

Since then, I have transferred to San Francisco State University, a campus that proudly supports, values, and acknowledges the LGBTQIA+ community. Just a few days ago, SF State and the New Student and Family Programs celebrated National Coming Out Day on October 11th, an annual day that celebrates coming out, sexual and/or gender identities, and reminds us that it is okay to be proud of who you are. Within the university, there are also various organizations and resources that supports a mission of inclusivity. This truly demonstrates the changes that have happened in the past few years since I saw a small gay pride flag be flown and shows how much love, dedication, and resources have been provided to hold a space that welcomes and values us. 

These resources, organizations, and events are just a small portion of what the campus has for us and if this speaks to you, I highly encourage you to check them out. They are all meant to build a space that allows one to be comfortable, safe, and confident of oneself.

 

Events:

Rainbow Café: Home for the Holidays?: Family Dynamics 

Hosted by Office of Diversity, Student Equity & Interfaith Programs presents Rainbow Cafe

The Rainbow Café topic for November will be, Home for the Holidays?: Family Dynamics, we will host discussion led by SFSU staff and faculty on how students can prepare for possible family dynamics students may face directed with their LGBTQIA+ identity as they may gather with family for the holidays.  

The purpose of Rainbow Café is to provide a safe, brave, inclusive, and welcoming environment for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, or question their sexual orientation and/or gender identity by creating an intentional space in which their intersectional identities are affirmed, and they are offered non-judgement support, access to academic, personal, community, spiritual and health resources at San Francisco State University and in the San Francisco Bay area.

When: Wednesday, November 10 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST

 

Rainbow Café: Succeeding Academically as Queer at SF State 

Hosted by Office of Diversity, Student Equity & Interfaith Programs presents Rainbow Cafe

The Rainbow Café topic for September-October will be, Succeeding Academically as Queer at SF State, we will have presenters from the SFSU Undergraduate Advising Center as they share advice and tips on steps students should take to ensure they are on track for graduation, provide academic resources on campus, and share time-management skills. 

 

The purpose of Rainbow Café is to provide a safe, brave, inclusive, and welcoming environment for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, or question their sexual orientation and/or gender identity by creating an intentional space in which their intersectional identities are affirmed, and they are offered non-judgement support, access to academic, personal, community, spiritual and health resources at San Francisco State University and in the San Francisco Bay area.

When: Wednesday, December 8 12:00pm - 1:00pm PST

 

Pod-Mapping & Healthy LGBTQ+ Relationships Workshop

You've experienced harm, but don't know who you can call on for support? Learn what "pods" are (using the Pod-Mapping framework developed by the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective) and how healthy LGBTQ+ relationships rooted in trust build a strong support network for your health, wellness, and safety. Hosted Health Promotion & Wellness and LGBTQIA+ Student Life at SF State.

 

Date & Time: Thursday, October 21 from 11am-12pm PST

 

We Get To Have It All, Part 1 - Planning for Pleasure, Love & Safety

(a workshop centering Queer, Trans, Intersex, & Two-Spirit BIPOC communities)

How do we as Queer, Trans, Intersex, & Two-Spirit BIPOC (QTI2BIPOC) create more safety in our relationships in the middle of late stage racial capitalism? The first workshop in this two part series uncovers ways we can enjoy building the gorgeous safety we need, want and deserve. In this popular education group, participants will practice using concrete skills and co-create tools to apply to real life situations. Hosted by Health Promotion & Wellness.

 

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 26 from 4pm-5pm PST

 

Resources and Organizations

Associated Students Queer and Trans Resource Center (QTRC)

An Associated Students' Program and is a student-run resource center for Queer and Trans identified students and allies at SF State, located in Cesar Chavez Student Center room M-109.

Connect with the QTRC at https://sfsu.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/associated-students-queer-and-trans-resource-center

 

EGAY (Everything Great About You)

EGAY is a LGBTQ+ student organization on campus centered around queer community. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 8-10 P.M. The first half meetings are based on educational topics about queer community and the second half of meetings are geared towards building community with fun games and activities!

Discord: https://discord.gg/tStFb6y

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sfsu_egay/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sfsu_egay

 

Office of Diversity, Student Equity & Interfaith Programs

The goals of this program:

-       To provide resources and services that directly support the identity development, graduation and retention of SF State Students;

-       To ensure all students have a space on campus they can gather support,  guidance, and affirmations of the intersectionality of their identities;

-       To foster the creation of inclusive spaces for students, including Latinx Student Services, PRIDE (LGBTIQ+), Interfaith Programs Unit, and other intercultural spaces

-       To connect students to faculty, staff, and resources across campus while providing support where gaps exist.

Website: https://equity.sfsu.edu/odse

Instagram: @sfsudiversity

 

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

Is available for currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. Counseling provides an opportunity for students to explore personal problems or concerns in a brief treatment model. Students often come to CAPS for issues such as relationship problems, emotional or social difficulties, symptoms of anxiety and depression, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, substance use, and concerns about academic progress or direction.

 

Contact

Email: caps@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415) 338-2208, Fax: (415) 338-6149

Website: https://psyservs.sfsu.edu

 

The SAFE Place

SAFE Place recognizes that sexual violence impacts all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation and strives to foster a safe and welcoming environment.

The SAFE Place empowers and supports survivors through advocacy to end sexual violence

 

Website: https://psyservs.sfsu.edu/content/safe-place

Contact: Email: caps@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415) 338-2208, Fax: (415) 338-6149

With school in full swing, midterms looming in the air and the excitement for Halloween filling our minds, it's important to take time and plan some self care during this October month. 

 

Something equally as important and exciting about October is that  October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To raise awareness and provide education this year on issues of domestic violence all throughout October 2021, Health and Wellness Promotion and Wellness (HPW) with collaboration from The SAFE place are hosting a multitude of events. 

 

As such topics discussed within the program could be quite triggering and may bring about uncomfortable feelings related to domestic violence. If in-need of Confidential support, advocacy, and linkage to many different services on and off campus; The Safe Place offers support. 

 

They always welcome persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. Please contact Denmark Diaz at denmarkd@sfsu.edu as soon as possible so your request may be reviewed.

Full descriptions of each event are available at wellness.sfsu.edu/DVAM.

If interested and would like support, Please sign-up for the events using your San Francisco State email address and follow us on social media @SFStateCares.

 

Events

What's Healthy and Unhealthy?

This workshop explores the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Learn signs to tell the differences and steps you can take to improve (or walk away from) relationships that are not good for you. Hosted by The SAFE Place.

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 20th from 2- 3 pm

Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

What are Trauma-Informed Relationships?

In this workshop, you will learn ways you can support the people in your life who might have experienced trauma. Learn tips on how to respond when your friends share their stories, and how to navigate sex with or without knowing a person’s past. Hosted by The SAFE Place.

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 27 from 2pm-3pm PST

OL Logo in white

Orientation Leader Applications are Open!

“Being a former Orientation Leader myself, I have gained leadership experience, have received valuable professional networking, and have made some very close friends.” - Fabian Cruz

 

Orientation Leaders (OLs) work alongside San Francisco State University's New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) to welcome and help transition incoming freshmen and transfer students to our beautiful campus! Orientation Leaders are current students who are well respected, fun, energetic, and academically excelling leaders. They also define and further their academic, interpersonal, and leadership qualities throughout the summer. Orientation Leaders are also compensated with money, housing for the summer, leadership development opportunities, and lifelong friendships! The Orientation Leader team is selected in the fall semester, enroll in the spring semester-long Peer Mentor/Leadership course, and participates in summer orientation sessions. If you are looking for a sign to apply, this is it! Do what excites and join our team!

View the Orientation Leader Position Description.

 

Need Support?

Dean-On-Call Program 

Real-time support for students and those that may be experiencing difficulties in navigating the universities environment

The Dean-On-Call Program serves as an opportunity for students to drop-in for usual or unusual questions, serve as a support or referral resource, and to help students navigate the university environment.

First-Year Experience Peer Mentors

Fellow students are here to connect you to the campus community & provide one-on-one support!

The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor program provides support available to all first-year students at SFSU! Attend the events & study circles that peer mentors hold every week to meet other first-year students & integrate into the community at SFSU. You can also get individualized support by meeting with a peer mentor.

New Student Help Desk 

Help when you need it most! Visit with New Student Programs and the Gator Mentors! 

The New Student Help Desk is open five days a week, Monday - Friday, every week! Make sure to check our website for our updated hours. A GatorMentor is always there to answer any pressing questions you may have. The Help Desk is available for reservations Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 3 pm. If you would like to make a reservation, please email your assigned Gator Mentor directly, and they will assist you in setting up a reservation. Don't have a Gator Mentor? Email us at nsp@sfsu.edu