HELP-A-ZIP

Helping students navigate resources for personal, financial or academic wellness.

College can be stressful. The Help-A-Zip Referral is a great way to connect with a staff member for resources, guidance, and connection to UA departments. Support and resources are available for graduate, law, and undergraduate students.

We can help students connect to many resources regarding:

  • academics (missed assignments, academic shortfalls, repeated absence from class, academic advising, etc.);
  • mental health (counseling services, depression, anxiety, substance dependence, etc.);
  • finances (unexpected financial hardship, cost of textbooks, FAFSA, financial account holds, grants/loans, tuition/fees, etc.);
  • personal/social adjustment (relationships, social contentedness, homesickness, etc.) or;
  • health/wellness financial assistance (vouchers for visits and flu shots at Health Services).

Normally, this quick and easy form provides ZipAssist with basic information about individual student needs and concerns. In response to a submission, a member of the team will reach out in response to a submission with resources and an opportunity to schedule a meeting for conversation and support.

Other sources of assistance

Call the University of Akron Police Department at any hour at 330-972-2911 or 9-1-1.

UA's Counseling and Testing Center is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 330-972-7082.

More than 50 percent of college students admit to having suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.

Typical reasons for college students to attempt suicide include relief from physical or emotional pain, after a relationship break-up, or due to academic struggles. Suicide is preventable. Get help for you or a friend.

Get help now

Help for victims of sexual misconduct: Get help now.

You have several options:

  • UA Police: Available 24/7 at 330-972-2911
  • UA Title IX team: Trained UA staff and faculty that can answer your questions about reporting sexual misconduct
  • Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties: Employees work directly with UA students. The center provides crisis intervention, support, advocacy and other resources to survivors of sexual assault. The center’s 24-hour hotline is 330-434-RAPE. The center has an office on campus in Room 246 of the Student Recreation & Wellness Center. Call the campus office at 330-972-6328 during normal business hours.

About confidentiality

It is most important for students to know that Mike and the Rape Crisis Center employees are committed to supporting individuals who have experienced sexual violence, but they have different responsibilities as it relates to confidentiality when it comes to reporting an incident. 

Here’s what you need to know about how federal and state regulations define reporting responsibilities:

  • Conversations with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, are kept as confidential as possible, but information about sexual misconduct incidents must be shared with relevant administrators (and in the case of sexual assault, with law enforcement), so that the university can take any action necessary to protect the safety of the campus community and to comply with Ohio’s crime reporting laws.
  • If a person indicates a desire to report a sexual assault to any UA employee, that employee should advise the person about her/his applicable reporting obligations and available confidential resources. A UA employee may have an obligation to report sexual misconduct to law enforcement or a Title IX Coordinator. See more information about reporting obligations.
  • Confidential resources on campus available to sexual assault survivors are licensed counselors at UA’s Counseling and Testing Center (330-972-7082) or licensed health professionals at Student Health Services (330-972-7808). 
  • The team at the Rape Crisis Center are not employees of UA, and do not have the same reporting obligations as University employees. A sexual assault survivor who reaches out to the center can remain anonymous. 

Anyone who has experienced sexual assault does not have to file a formal complaint to receive assistance, but will receive information about all of her/his options to keep themselves and the campus safe. All efforts will be made to respect the privacy wishes of victims of sexual assault; however, the university must balance all requests for privacy/confidentiality with the need to provide a safe learning and working environment for all.

We prepared to help any students through the difficult course of actions that are required to recover from a sexual assault.

The CARE Team is a group of University professionals who provide guidance and assistance to students who are experiencing crises, displaying odd or unusual behaviors, or are engaging in other behaviors that may be perceived as being harmful (either to the student individually, or to others). CARE stands for Crisis, Assessment, Referral and Evaluation

The CARE Team accepts referrals and responds to students (and their families, faculty, and staff) when concerns for a student’s health, welfare, and safety are identified.

The CARE Team also supports members of the University community who interact with at-risk students by assessing and evaluating situations, communicating with individuals involved or impacted by a student’s behavior, and providing referrals and resources to assist and address behavioral concerns.

Make a CARE Team referral

UA's Counseling and Testing Center is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 330-972-7082.

The University offers an 8-hour certification for Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education. See details.

Student Health Services provides health care on campus to enrolled students. Appointments are requested. Call 330-972-7808.

Student Health Services is located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Suite 260, 382 Carroll St. Akron, OH 44325-1101.

Visit the Health Services website.

Emergencies after hours

When Student Health Services is closed, students needing immediate medical attention for acute illnesses or injuries may seek care at Akron City Hospital or Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Fees for hospital treatment and/or ambulance transport, if needed, are the responsibility of the student.

See healthcare facilities offering evening and weekend hours in greater Akron.

UA's Campus Cupboard can help with access to food. Requests can be made online.

For support and/or access to technology during the delivery of online classes, please complete this form.

About Help-a-Zip

What happens when a Help-a-Zip referral is made?

For academic concerns, the referral notice will be sent to a member of the ZipAssist Staff. This colleague will make attempts to contact the student and recommend resources appropriate for the situation, and connect the student to their appropriate advising unit for further assistance.

Tuition/Fee referrals will be handled by a member of the ZipAssist Staff, who will access available resources and then discuss options with the student.

Any referral which is of a personal/social nature will be reviewed by a member of the ZipAssist Staff, who will contact the student to assess the nature of the concern and connect the student to appropriate resources including the Counseling and Testing Center, Tutoring, various offices on campus and/or community agencies. Some referrals involve more than one resource and the Help-A-Zip team will work collaboratively to address complex concerns with colleagues across campus.

Any referral which is of an emergency financial assistance nature will be reviewed by the ZipAssist Staff. These professionals will access available resources and discuss immediate options with the student.

For any ZipsTech requests, the referral will be sent to a member of the ZipAssist staff, who will review your student account to verify eligibility for the program. If eligible, he or she will connect you with the Computer Center to schedule a pickup of the device(s).

Questions?

Direct questions about these services to:

Alison Doehring
Director, ZipAssist
330-972-6467 or aer15@ecom888.com
ZipAssist home page