FAQs
Do I need an appointment to see someone in OSSaW?
No- but appointments are highly encouraged to ensure that a team member is available at the time you would like to meet.
How do I make an appointment in OSSaW?
Graduate students and medical students must self-schedule appointments by visiting ECU BSOM Office of Student Success and Wellness. Students can call 252-744-2500 for assistance with scheduling an appointment.
What is the format for appointments or meetings?
Students can choose to meet in person, by phone or by videochat. This preference is indicated at the time that the appointment is scheduled. In person meetings with Alyssa Arnold, Delmus Willis, or Dr. Dixon are typically in the OSSaW office which is in Brody 2W-33. In-person meetings with Dr. Robidoux take place in his office in Brody 6S-24. For videochat meetings, team members use Teams or Webex. Most meetings are scheduled for about 30 minutes, but students can request longer meetings. Quick Chat meetings last for 15 minutes and are for quick questions that students need to ask or that students need information for. Appointments can be scheduled with individual team members and joint meetings can be scheduled with 2 or more team members.
Can a student choose who they’d like to meet with for an appointment?
Yes. At the time of scheduling an appointment, a student can indicate which person on the team they would like to meet with. We do encourage students to meet with different team members to get different feedback and perspectives and to seek out team members who have special expertise related to their concerns.
Why are there not very many available morning appointments?
Most appointments for M1 and M2 students are scheduled in the afternoons so as not to conflict with lectures and scheduled course activities.
I am trying to self-schedule an appointment and I don’t see the day/time available that I need. What should I do?
You can email the team member directly that you are trying to schedule with to see if other openings are available or you may choose to meet with a different team member.
Where is the OSSaW office located?
The office is located in Brody 2W-33.
What are office hours?
OSSaW office is a hybrid office that operates physically and virtually and is open 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. Some team members work remotely for certain times during each week; this means they may not be physically in office, but they are available in the virtual office. Check the office door for a schedule who is in the physical office or virtual office for each day of the week.
Is there a cost for your services and who are services for?
No, there are no costs. Services are available to all Brody graduate students and medical students.
What if I am in high distress or if I need help for a personal crisis?
You can connect with the Wellness Counselor in our office. You can also access an on-call crisis counselor by contacting the ECU Center for Counseling & Student Development at 252-328-6661 (and follow the phone prompts). If you are away from the Greenville area, please call 911.
Do you provide therapy care in your office for mental health concerns?
Yes, we do provide therapy care in our office via our Wellness Counselor. You can make an appointment via this link: BSOM Wellness Counselor’s Page
Can you explain the different roles of OSSaW team members?
All the support professionals on the team provide many of the same services but there are some differences in what we do according to expertise and job duties. The Senior Academic Support Specialist can be thought of as a generalist who provides support in all major areas – academic, personal/wellness, and professional support. She also works very much in the realm of academic support by coaching students on effective learning approaches and helping students to enhance their learning performance; this individual also works closely with our PALS program. The Basic Science Liaison is a basic science faculty member who works part-time with the OSSaW team. Although the Basic Science Liaison works mainly with medical students in the foundational phase of medical school, he is always willing to meet with medical students during the clinical phase of their training and with graduate students as well. The Graduate Student intern works mainly with assisting team members with support for first- and second-year medical students as well as graduate students. The Assistant Dean oversees the team, and the office and provides support to medical students and graduate students as well.
Who is the OSSaW Graduate Student Intern?
We occasionally have a graduate-level intern from the ECU College of Education who is training in student/affairs/college counseling and who provides academic support interventions for first- and second-year medical students and graduate students under the supervision of OSSaW staff.
Does your office only help students who are having academic problems?
No. Challenges are common for any medical student or graduate student and supporting students as they manage challenges is an important part of what we do. However, OSSaW serves all medical and graduate students whether they are having academic problems or not. Our services are intended to support the success of every medical student and graduate student and these services include support for academic performance as well as other aspects of student’s lives include their personal and professional development.
What is the Medical Student Lending Library?
Located on 2nd floor near the Student Lounge, the Lending Library consists of donated books and study resources that have been given by M4 students just before their graduation. The Library operates on an honor system in which students sign out books and resources and then return them in approximately two weeks.
How do I find out about PALS or Peer Tutoring for M1 and M2 students?
Information about these two programs is available for M1 students in the M1 Student Success Hub and for M2 students in the M2 Student Success Hub.
Can I email OSSaW team members?
Yes, students can email individual team members for assistance or for questions. For general questions, students can email the office at OSSaW@ecu.edu
The OSSaW email account should only be used for general questions, though, and not for urgent, sensitive items.
I have an idea for a student support activity that I would like to see implemented. Who should I talk to in OSSaW?
You can see any member of the OSSaW team. We welcome student ideas and enjoy partnering with students concerning student support initiatives.
How can I speak with the Assistant Dean of Student Success and Wellness?
You can schedule a time to meet with Dr. Sandy Dixon by visiting ECU BSOM Office of Student Success and Wellness or you can email her directly at dixonsa1717@ecu.edu.