Julia Budsey, SGA’s Vice President for Club Affairs, recently began the “Friends of Skidmore” Commission. The commission’s goal is to establish a support system for Skidmore students struggling with addiction and substance abuse. “I recognized that there [were no] coherent resources for anyone suffering from any type of addiction,” said Budsey, “and college campuses can be extremely triggering for people dealing with these issues.” Despite the previous lack of a program focusing on addiction, the issue has certainly been on the minds of students and administrators. Concern over student safety at large, all-college events have led to recent efforts by SGA, such as the addition of extra security and food, to improve events such as Junior Ring and Fun Day. However, according to Budsey, “the focus has been more on the prevention of occasional binge drinking than regular binge drinking,” with no avenues for those who deal with addiction on a day-to-day basis.
Budsey, who was voted in as Commissioner this past Tuesday, is looking to start off with an awareness campaign so students can be aware of what resources are already out there. This would be in collaboration with the Office Health of Promotions and the Wellness Center. Budsey is not looking to work with the Counseling Center, which traditionally focuses its resources internally as opposed to outreach towards the student body. She will also be working with organizations in Saratoga, such as the Prevention Council of Saratoga (PC), Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga, Friends of Recovery NY, Hedgerow House, and the Nelson House. Her hope is to have set up regular support meetings for Skidmore Students with Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga by the end of the year.
Are you interested in being on the Friends of Skidmore Commission? Contact Julia Budsey