Despite Stan State’s transition to predominately virtual instruction and activities, many resources are still available to students in an online format. Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) hosted a “Taco ‘Bout It” event via Zoom to showcase the virtual services being offered by Psychological Counseling Services, Learning Commons, Library Services and Basic Needs.

This event gives each department a ten minute segment explaining how they adapted to virtual services and how they provide to students. After each presentation there is a Q&A section, where students asked question and gained some knowledge on each resources that the university has to offer.

Psychological Counseling Services

Psychological Counseling Services (PCS) is offered at no cost to students at Stan State. Services offered include individual and couple’s counseling, therapy, support groups, and wellness workshops. Therapy sessions can be held virtually through telephone or Zoom. There are also virtual Crisis Walk-In hours from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Appointments can be made by calling their office.

Groups and workshops that students can attend such as Managing Anxiety and Stress, LGBTQ+ Support Group, Body Positive Warriors, HERstory Group, Depression Recovery Through Creative Art, Black Voices, and Coffee With The Counselor are also offered to help members of the very diverse Stan State campus community.

Learning Commons

The Learning Commons also provides tons of helpful resources. They offer a Testing Office, a Writing Center, a Tutoring Center and a Supplemental Instruction Office, which are all operating remotely.

The writing and content tutoring centers are offering online appointments which last 50 minutes each. These appointments can either occur weekly or be one time only. Both centers have one-on-one sessions or group sessions for content tutoring. The writing center also offers many helpful workshops.

Supplemental Instruction or SI is also available online. SI sessions are study sessions where SI leaders facilitate group work to review difficult concepts for historically difficult classes. Appointments can be made through “Stan Tutor” and can be accessed through the Learning Commons website or the student portal.  

Library Services

The Stan State library provides several databases and research guides, which can be accessed through the website. Librarians are still available to help students with research through the Virtual Research Desk , which operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

There is also a 24/7 co-op, which will connect you with an outside librarian somewhere in the country. 

The library’s books are also still available to the campus community through by filling out a request form.

Basic Needs

The Basic Needs Initiative has several programs that help Stan State students. The Food Pantry, located in the Student Services Building (#116) in Room 128. is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

There is also a Food Distribution program, available monthly from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on a specified day within the month. There is no need to sign up to receive free food from the food distribution, just show up, provide your warrior ID or ID number and you’re good to go. 

CalFresh virtual assistance is also available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to aid students in applying for CalFresh, also known as EBT. 

Campus Cares is an emergency financial assistance program for emergency situations, is also available to students when a form is submitted.

Jaime Chavez (sophomore, Communication Studies) said, “I did not know about ASI’s event ‘Taco ‘Bout It,’ but I would definitely be interested in going to other events in the future that give me some insight on the resources provided to us on campus.”

Albert De Nola (junior, Biology) is happy about the resources still being available. “I think it’s great that the school offers online tools, I never used them cause COVID hasn’t affected my performance, I’ve been able to cope with COVID and use it to my advantage and pull through with my classes.”

Morataya says that she was surprised to see the number of attendees remain high amid the event going virtual. “I honestly thought that numbers were going to decrease, but we actually [have] seen an increase of students coming to our events, which is great. We love to see students at our events.”

The Taco-‘Bout It events usually take place twice a semester. Be sure to check the University Events Calendar to know when the next one will take place so that you can attend yourself!