By ABIGAIL SHEARER
Tiger Media Network
On Thursday, Faculty Emeritus Dr. Kenton Olliff spoke to the Senate about mental health.
Olliff began his career as a fourth-generation funeral director and, after 20 years, became a counselor.
He attended FHSU, became director of Counseling Services, and began teaching. He is now retired and talks to groups about mental health.
Olliff explained how to approach someone who might be struggling with mental health.
“I observe you seem to be feeling a little down the last few days,” he said. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Olliff said it is important to follow through if you offer to be available for someone to talk to.
“If you tell somebody you’re available to talk, you need to talk, you need to be present because everybody needs to be heard,” he said. “Everybody needs to be heard, so we have to be present when we tell somebody you will listen to them. You’d be amazed at how much better all people can feel when they just get it out and talk about it.”
Olliff then presented national statistics on college student mental health trends for 2025-26.
| Trend | Key Statistic |
| Anxiety | 32% report moderate to severe anxiety |
| Depression | 37% report moderate to severe depression |
| Loneliness | 52% report high loneliness |
| Suicidal Ideation | 11% seriously considered suicide |
| Academic Impact | 30% say anxiety hurts academic performance |
| Sleep Issues | 75%+ get less than 8 hours of sleep |
| Mental Health Concerns | 70% experience a mental health concern in the past year |
| Al Support | 31% have used AI for mental health support |
Olliff asked members of the Senate to list some of the hats they wear on a daily basis, including being a student, employee, para, athlete, someone’s child, sibling, friend, significant other, and many others.
Olliff then pointed out that nobody looked out for themselves when answering.
“You are a person for yourself,” he said. “That folks, is the problem right here because I believe we have to take care of ourselves first.”
The Senate also discussed everyday stressors, such as class, work, money, deadlines, time, relationships, family, schedules, and other responsibilities.
Olliff ended his presentation by explaining stress-first-aid kits, which include items to help reduce stress. This can be anything from pictures of family and friends to memories and memorabilia from important moments in your life.
During executive reports, Campus Relations Director Danika Szopinski presented updates from the Faculty Senate.
“They made note that we’re celebrating increased enrollment this fall in all areas and celebrating the highest retention rate ever for first-time full-time students, being 78.45%,” she said.
Also, Szopinski gave updates on Sternberg from Provost Jill Arensdorf. She said, despite the initial announcement that the museum would close, there is still hope that Sternberg can remain open.
“President Mason is working with external partners, including potential fundraisers,” Szopinski said, relaying Arensdorf’s message. “The foundation is fundraising with the goal of $1 million.”
This $1 million benchmark was set by Mason earlier this month and is the amount needed to cover operating costs and keep Sternberg open for an additional fiscal year.
She said that according to Arensdorf, there is a three-phase plan the university will implement should the funding not be raised in time and Sternberg is forced to close in December.
Phase 1: Taking an inventory of collections
Phase 2: Determining what is needed at For Hays for continued learning
Phase 3: Presenting to the President
“The doors will be closing so the faculty can do their work, take those collections, and make a sustainable plan,” Szopinski said regarding what the next steps will be for the museum if it were to close.
There is talk of putting together a question board with Arensdorf and two other faculty senate committee members. This would be for future questions only, not to advocate for Sternberg to stay open.
One new member was installed during the meeting.
In new business, two bills were up for first reading.
Bill No. 26. F. 118 proposed that the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing move $1,000 from the line-item “West Central Region NATS Conference Accompanist Fee” to $600 for the line-item “West Central Region NATS Conference Hotel” and $400 for the creation of the new line-item “West Central Region NATS Conference Registration.”
This bill was moved to emergency business and passed unanimously.
Bill No. 26. F. 119 proposed that the Association of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers move $725 from the line-item “SDMS Conference Registration” to the line-item “SDMS Airfare.
During old business, the Senate voted on four bills.
Bill No. 26.F.113 proposed a trip request for the International Student Union. They requested $1,750. The Senate recommended $650 for mileage and $150 for registration.
Bill No. 26.F.114 proposed that Braylee Kinderknecht be considered for a Senate seat as an At-Large Senator.
Bill No. 26.F.115 proposed that Abdulgafar Uthman be considered for a Senate seat as an International Student Senator.
Bill No. 26.F.117 proposed that Mitzil Carrillo Maldonado be considered for a Senate seat as an At-Large Senator.
All four bills were passed unanimously.
Announcements:
- Open forum for the 110th and 111th at 7 p.m. on Tuesday
- Chick-fil-A opens on Thursday
- Fall Fest on October 22nd.
SGA will reconvene at 7 p.m. next Thursday.