BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—A new Indiana University Student Foundation tradition is being established on the Bloomington campus —Students Helping Students — a student-led fundraising campaign to support a student-selected cause. Little 500 and the campaign are opportunities to educate students on the importance of philanthropy and to teach them how to be life-long philanthropic advocates.
The 2024 Students Helping Students month-long campaign raised over $60,000 with over 800 students donating $5 or more. One dollar from every Little 500 and full ride tour ticket was also donated to the campaign. The IU Student Foundation partnered with the Office of the Vice President of Student Success (formally the Office of the Chief Health Officer) to support the destigmatization of student mental health issues on the IU Bloomington campus.
As a result, a new mental health space called The Oasis will open Fall 2024 in the Wells Library on the Bloomington campus. The mental health area is free and gives all IU students a designated space to take a physical and mental break and unplug from the business of their day. Additional mental health services and programs are planned to begin after the space opens.
“We are honored that Students Helping Students chose the student mental health initiative as beneficiary of their hard work and fundraising efforts, said,” said Rosevelt L. Noble, PhD, associate vice president for Student Engagement and Wellbeing. “Creating a designated mental health space that is accessible to any student no matter which school they are affiliated is the true definition of students helping students.”
“The opening of The Oasis is a remarkable accomplishment of our students,” said Aimie DeLeon, assistant director of student lifetime engagement at the IU Student Foundation. “Our goal with The Oasis is to demonstrate that it is okay to take a moment for yourself when you’re stressed or anxious.” This space is fully funded by money raised from the 2024 Students Helping Students campaign. Through this campaign, we want students to see that they can make an impact now and not have to wait until after graduation to give back.”
The Oasis will be open:
- Monday through Wednesday: 8 a.m. to midnight
- Thursday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to midnight