Virtually Connecting

Members of the New York Institute of Technology community are finding creative ways to come together online. Several staff members, alumni, and students have invited one another to hang out, share stories, even do yoga together—virtually.

These experiences are optional and extend beyond services (listed here) such as advising, tutoring, and counseling, which are also available online.

Below are some of the efforts to gather students and others who would like company during an incredibly stressful time. All meetings are weekly (and each meeting, except group counseling, has a specific event listing at nyit.edu/events). Regular attendance is not required.

Student-Led Meditation

Julian West, a junior from College Point, N.Y., hosts weekly meditation sessions. He says he is eager to share with other students and employees “the beauty of heart-based meditation.”
Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Hang Out With the International and Experiential Education Team

Associate Director of Experiential Education Luzia Ogureck, M.A., says the International and Experiential Education team care about and miss seeing students. IEE Hangouts invites those who are feeling bored or lonely, or who simply want to chat with some friendly faces, to a hangout where they can have a conversation or just relax in good company.
Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Alumni Host “Alone, Together” for Sharing Stories

In 2019, recent graduates Hinali Shah, (B.Arch. ’18), and Nicole Pereira (B.F.A. ’18) launched a podcast called 12 Ounces. They describe it as a “club where we talk, listen, and grow—together.” Now Shah and Pereira are (virtually) heading back to campus to hear the stories of current New York Tech students as they wade through unprecedented and harrowing circumstances. The Zoom gatherings are called “Alone, Together” and provide settings where participants can “share stories of love, fear, and connection in the time of quarantine,” says Pereira. Shah calls them “a way to be social without abandoning social distancing.”
Sundays at noon

Counseling Services for Stressed Students

New York Tech understands the importance of ensuring students continue to have access to mental health services. Students can request individual sessions (offered via Zoom) with licensed counselors if they feel their negative mood is interfering with their daily life.

Additionally, the Counseling Center has created a Zoom group that meets weekly to offer students additional support. Led by a counselor, groups provide a safe place for students to talk about their feelings, share different ways of managing the stress, and create connections in this time of social distancing. Group counseling can be an extremely helpful way for students to realize they are not alone.

Finally, the Counseling Center is introducing a new program called Let’s Tele-talk. Students can connect with a counselor via Zoom for an informal consultation or to ask questions about a specific problem. Sessions last about 15 minutes and are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit Counseling and Wellness to learn more about Let’s Tele-talk, or for information about how to connect with one of these services.

Learn more about virtual events.