UMatter at UMass

The ability to value a connection and to feel empathy is critical to any society, including our own campus community. When we collectively practice active caring, we create a more supportive living and learning environment for everyone. Make the most of your time here by asking for help when you need it, stepping up to help others, and using—or guiding friends to use—available support resources.

The 2026–27 Maroon Folder

Connection is Prevention

Dear Faculty and Staff:

The strength of UMass Amherst lies in how we show up for one another each day. Every act of kindness, connection, and support fosters a campus community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Every member of our campus plays a role in creating a connected community. Connection is prevention because it interrupts isolation, reduces stigma, and strengthens the pathways that help individuals move toward support. When we choose to engage with one another, even in small ways, we build a culture where wellbeing is a shared commitment.

We invite you to:

Notice when someone may need support
Reach out when you sense someone may need connection or support
Ask with care when you have concerns or something doesn’t feel right
Share information and resources so others can connect with support
Take time to connect

For more than a decade, the Maroon Folder has served as a valuable resource for faculty and staff in recognizing and supporting students in distress. This year, as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a caring and supportive campus community, we collaborated with our Human Resources Division to add an insert highlighting resources and services available to faculty and staff.

Thank you for the important contributions you make in fostering a campus culture where care, connection, and community wellbeing remain at the center of our work. To support this shared commitment, we will launch Here for You, a new training series that equips students, faculty, and staff to recognize signs of distress, respond with empathy, connect one another to support, and build the confidence to act when it matters most.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Cracco, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Campus Life and Wellbeing

Patricia Cardoso-Erase
Interim Dean of Students