Dear new students to UF,

First of all, congratulations. Congratulations on being accepted and choosing to go to the best school in the nation. Now that you are here, you are a part of the gator nation and that will follow you wherever you go.

As you are getting ready to move into your residence hall, whether it be in Broward Hall or Lakeside Area or any hall in between, the resident assistants are also getting ready for you. We have been here - training and preparing our halls for your arrival. And we can't wait to meet you.

Whether you are a local Gainesville resident or you're moving here from another state or even country, the transition from high school to college can be tough. But we're here to help! We have all of the resources that you could ever think of.

For example:

U Matter, We Care.

U Matter, We Care is an initiative by the Dean of Students Office which provides students in distress with support. You can find them on the 3rd floor of Peabody Hall. They have several areas of specialization: reporting and addressing bias incidents; educating about sexual violence and assisting victims; and education and support for those suffering with substance abuse.

Counseling and Wellness Center

The UF Counseling and Wellness Center is located on Radio Road near Lakeside. They offer free services such as: individual counseling; suicide prevention and awareness; emergency assistance; and many more self-help services. Do not be afraid to contact them about yourself or another student you see in crisis. Phone: (352)-392-1575

Broward Teaching Center

The Broward Teaching Center offers FREE help with major classes, including General Chemistry, Calculus I-III, Physics, and Statistics. They also have a writing lab to help with papers, help with study skills and study groups. Their schedule is posted at www.teachingcenter.ufl.edu once the semester starts.

Field and Fork

The Field and Fork Pantry assists students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity. They are located at 520 Newell Drive, by McCarty C and the Reitz Union. Anyone in need may stop y and collect enough food for three days.

Should there be a greater need, staff can give information about other resources and assistance. Field and Fork is always looking for donations, especially of grains such as rice or pasta and proteins such as canned tuna or beans.

Disability Resource Center

The Disability Resource Center educates students about their rights and assists in getting accommodations for those who need it. Examples: professors require notification from the DRC that students need extra time on exams; permission to use audio recording in lectures or a note taker; educational or lab assistant. They are located in Reid Hall. Their phone number is (352)-392-8565. Email: accessuf@dso.ufl.edu

There are so many resources that the University of Florida offers its students. These are just a few to be familiar with.

As a resident assistant, we are here to be resources for all of our residents. If you or someone who know is in a situation and doesn't know what to do, you can reach out to us for help and direction. We care about each and every resident and want everyone to succeed.