Sometimes we all need a little help getting through.
Here are some resources—from counseling to food security—available to you if you find yourself (or a fellow student) in need of assistance.
Life Assistance
Coronavirus COVID-19 information
CAPS program counselors available
The Department of Biology has partnered with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to be part of the embedded CAPS program. Three counselors will have designated days/hours to work with our students and to provide individual counseling. Biology students do not have to see these counselors, but they are available to our department.
In addition, the counselor’s time can be used to provide outreach programming to students (e.g., stress management) or training about mental health topics to faculty, staff, and instructors (e.g., how to recognize students in distress), including topics specific to our department and its needs. Faculty, staff, and instructors may also consult with the counselors about students of concern and how to best help them.
The counselors working with IU Biology are:
Hours set aside for IU Biology are:
- Wednesdays 8-10am and 2-4pm
- Thursdays 1-3pm
- Fridays 10am-12noon
If you are have concerns about a student and don’t know how to proceed, please contact one of these counselors or call 812-855-5711 to make an appointment to know how to proceed to best help the student. These consultations can be for an individual in your lab, your class, or someone in your program.
Ombudsperson
The ombudsperson deals with concerns relating to any grievance a student has that grows out of a course in the Department of Biology.
Graduate Mentoring Center
The IU Graduate Mentoring Center takes a very holistic approach to graduate student health and wellness addressing five primarily areas: Balance, Community, Culture, Mentorship, and Scholarship. Its programs and workshops offer graduate students a path towards deeper self-awareness, decreased stress, long-lasting cultural understanding, increased productivity, and innovative research that can lead to a successfully completed dissertation and fulfilling careers within and outside of the professoriate.
Concerned about a student?
If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of a student—if you notice sudden changes in appearance or performance, receive a concerning email, or notice a student's excessive absences—submit an IU Care Referral.
The IU Care Team will follow up with the student to learn more and connect him/her/them with appropriate campus and community resources.
IUB sources of emergency funding
- Emergency fund to assist IUB Biology graduate students
The IUB Biology Emergency Fund is open to graduate students with a declared major from IUB Biology and who are in critical “financial emergency” situations for which no other grant funds are available.
- IU College of Arts and Sciences emergency funding
Small amount of funding available for graduate students. Contact IU Biology Director of Graduate Studies or department chair who, in turn, will contact Associate Dean Padraic Kenney with a description of your circumstances and the amount of financial need. These requests will be reviewed and funds will be disbursed based on urgency of need.
- IU Office of International Services
International students can apply for hardship assistance, which is disbursed through student Bursar accounts. Students must complete an OIS application. Typical award: $500–$2,000.
- IU Student Advocates Office emergency support fund
Get help through the IU Student Advocates Office with unexpected expenses. Usually limited to $500.
Child care
IU Early Childhood Education Services offers year-round, high-quality care and education for the children of Indiana University Bloomington faculty, staff, and students.
Child care resources in the City of Bloomington
IU Biology's lactation room is private, clean, and open for use by department members and guests.
Food security
The Crimson Cupboard is open for pickup of free healthy food; check the website for hours.
Find more options on the Crimson Cupboard's list of on-campus and off-campus partners combatting food insecurity.
Fresh Fridays through August: Hoosier Hills Food Bank (located at 2333 W. Industrial Park Dr., Bloomington) will distribute free perishable foods every other Friday (June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20) between 10am and 2pm.
To volunteer to help with the Fresh Friday events, contact Ryan at 812-334-8374 or email volunteer@hhfoodbank.org.
Graduate and professional student resources
The IU Graduate and Professional Student Government strives to connect graduate students with resources available through a myriad of IU departments and offices.
Graduate student advising office
As always, feel free to reach out to our graduate student advising office (gradbio@indiana.edu) for assistance.
- Katie LaPadula, Graduate Advisor/Coordinator of Graduate Programs
klapadul@iu.edu - Tracey Bradley, Graduate Student Recruitment Coordinator
tstohr@indiana.edu - Tuli Mukhopadhyay, Director of Graduate Studies
sumukhop@indiana.edu
IU mobile app
With the free IU Mobile app, you get the tools and help you need to succeed in your classes, no matter where you are. You’ll find quick access to Canvas, Zoom, the Keep Learning site, and key dates. You can also find your bus status and look up directions to buildings on campus. Personalize the app for the resources you need most.
The College of Arts