Brendan Doherty ‘15, Staff Writer
New students at Merrimack beware: Those of us who have been at Merrimack for a time will be able to attest to the fact that there are faculty and staff out there who truly care about the well-being of students.
Those out there who might not feel this way are in luck. An off the radar committee called CARE was formed two years ago with the intent of retaining students who are thinking of leaving the college because of academic, emotional, or any other issues related to their experience here.
The committee of faculty and staff members includes professor Matt Isbell and representatives from campus life, athletics, residence life, Hamel Health, academic enrichment and police services. Seemingly all departments are covered in this committee, so when a trouble student does arise they can determine exactly which department is appropriate to best help that person.
Committees like this have been formed at many institutions since the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007 in order to identify students who might need a bit of help to get adjusted to campus life. This committee deals with the lower-level problems students might have — not quite counseling, but a chance for students to talk to someone on a confidential basis.
The head of the committee, and Dean of First Year Students Allison Gill, can be located on the third floor of the Sakowich Center in the study abroad department.