Bringing ADA Compliance to CAPS in the Era of COVID-19

College of Professional Studies

HSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) promotes student well-being by making individual counseling and support groups free and easily accessible to students, which combats the widespread stigma associated with mental health services. As part of the campaign to improve student mental health, CAPS maintains an expansive website with a variety of self-help resources. Our team of Abnormal Psychology students collaborated with CAPS to increase website accessibility by updating slideshow presentations to comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA enforces access to civil life for people living with disabilities and, as relevant to this case, requires slideshow

Buddy Bench and Buddy Squad Programs

Maddie Pyles , Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Many students continually still face with adverse mental and social-emotional health around school educations today. The buddy bench and buddy squad programs address adverse mental and social-emotional health for pre-k to fifth-grade students (e.g., depression, anxiety, stigma, shyness, coping skills, bullying, loneliness, and social isolation). Both of the programs help with positive mental and social-emotional support, creating new friendships, building social skills (e.g., problem-solving, conflict resolution, and other coping skills), and fostering students’ community. Both of the programs are excellent ways to promote positive outreach for every school.

Burnout Syndrome an Occupational Hazard for Nurses

Erika Sterling, Nursing Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Burnout syndrome is an occupational hazard that can affect healthcare professionals, especially bedside nurses that work in a hospital setting. It is comprised of three main components; emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy. It occurs when healthcare workers experience chronic stress. It can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. It negatively affects patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. It also increases nurse turnover which results in understaffing, therefore affecting patient safety. Improving working conditions for nurses, education and quality leadership will help decrease the prevalence of burnout syndrome.

California Assembly Bill 32: GHG Cap and Trade Program

College of Professional Studies

In 2006 the California State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 32, or the California Global Warming Solutions Act. AB-32 appointed the Air Resources Board as lead agency to implement a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. One of the ways that the ARB is facilitating this reduction is through the development and implementation of California's first GHG emissions cap and trade program. The program sets a maximum amount of allowable emissions for the industry (the "cap") then enables individual businesses to "trade" emissions allowances . Trading creates incentives to reduce GHGs below allowable levels through investments in clean technologies.

California State University System FY 2011-15 Financial Condition & Capacity Assessment

College of Professional Studies

The CSU system is the largest public university system within the US. Purpose of this study is to assess the financial condition and viability of the system, as well as individual campuses. We examined four years of independently audited financials presented in a standardized format. Using financial ratios we identify trends, establish benchmarks, and highlight areas of concern. In our analysis, we attempt to identify causal determinants of stronger financial performance, including controllable activities and non-controllable. This study seeks to understand the role management structure and related controls play in the long-term financial condition and solvency of public institution.

Campus Readiness Assessment: Tobacco and Smoke-Free Policy at Humboldt State Unviersity

College of Professional Studies

In 2016, Governor Jerry Brown received a bill (AB 1594) authored by assembly member McCarthy requesting the prohibition of smoke & tobacco use on all Calfornia college and university campuses. However, Gov. Brown vetoed the bill and stated that the governing boards of public colleges and universities have the authority to revise their own smoke & tobacco policies as needed. Therefore, an online survey was developed to assess the community's readiness to adopt a 100% smoke & tobacco-free policy. The goal of this project is to provide the Humboldt State University governing board with a glimpse of public opinion regarding the possible implementation of a smoke and tobacco-free policy.

Cannabis Use and Mood on Creativity

College of Professional Studies

This study examines the relationship between cannabis use (infrequent, moderate, and heavy use) and one’s mood (neutral, positive, and negative) on the Alternative Use Task (AUT). Although both mood and cannabis may influence creativity independently, not much is known about their interactive effects. Creativity was measured by the number of alternative uses for common objects produced by the participants. The AUT was followed by a survey that included cannabis use frequency and the Creative Achievement Questionnaire, which has been shown to represent an individual’s creative ability across multiple mediums.

Cho' Skuy Soo Hey We Chem': Deconstructing Seeking Safety Training Manual for PTSD and Substance Use

College of Professional Studies

Cho' Skuy Soo Hey We Chem': Deconstructing Seeking Safety Training Manual for PTSD and Substance Use is a pilot curriculum being developed in collaboration with Yurok leaders, elders, professionals, and myself in constructing a culturally appropriate curriculum to address PTSD and Substance use for Yurok families navigating the child welfare system. Post-colonial theory informs my practice while working indigenous communities. Colonization has stripped Native American communities from their land, resources, identity, sovereignty, and children. Western models do not work for indigenous communities, thus offering culturally appropriate services is critical for the healing process.

Chronic Cannabis Use in Emerging Adults: Relationships with Mental Health Factors

College of Professional Studies

The recent legalization of cannabis in multiple states, and the growth of cannabis use in recent years, underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between frequency of cannabis use and mental health outcomes. Risks for cannabis use and negative mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression) are highest in emerging adulthood, supporting the importance of examining cannabis use and mental health variables in this population. The current study examined differences in borderline personality disorder symptomatology, demoralization, burnout, loneliness, anxiety, and depression between groups of young adults: those who reported no/infrequent, moderate, or chronic cannabis use.

College Instructors’ Perceived Responsibilities: A Descriptive Study

College of Professional Studies

College student demographics have been rapidly changing with more students than ever identifying as students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college students. Colleges are working to reduce equity gaps in students’ academic achievement where marginalized students typically receive lower grades than their more privileged peers. The present study investigated the perceived responsibilities of college instructors with a focus on highly equitable classroom practices. Results of the study indicate general endorsement of highly equitable classroom practices as instructors’ responsibilities. Future research can use perceptions to further assess classroom practices and behaviors.