BGU & YOU | NOVEMBER 2023

BGU Supports Social Initiatives Dozens of proposals for initiatives and projects that will help IDF soldiers and civilians on the home front were submitted by university students and employees as part of a “call for proposals” through the Students □ Every BGU student, especially those who were supposed to start their studies this month, received a phone call from their department to see if they were alright and offer assistance. □ Early on, in the first week of the war, VERA (the committee of Israel university heads) agreed to postpone the beginning of the academic school year until most of the reservists are back home. It would be unfair to begin studies when 30% of our students are unable to attend. □ Students called up for reserve duty will receive a relief grant of NIS 1,200. □ Undergraduates who served at least two weeks in the reserves will be eligible to receive 2 course credits. Faculty and Staff □ The University established an aid fund for students, faculty and staff affected by the war. □ An action team connects people in need of accommodations with families willing to host them.

emergencies, an artificial intelligence based WhatsApp application that enables psychological help in war zones and among combat support personnel, a mobile laundry for soldiers, and support for children through BGU Radio.” Materials engineering student Ariel Harush created and leads a volunteer network of makers with 3d printers, called "3D Print 4 Israel". Together they have printed thousands of accessories requested by soldiers and medics at the battle front.

Department of Community Action, the Student Union and the Yazamut 360 Entrepreneurship Center. “We have all been enlisted today,” explains Adv. Vered Saroussi Katz, director of the Department of Community Action. “So far the response has been very impressive, and we look forward to more ideas that we can implement. We have already approved and funded 12 initiatives by students, employees and departments, including: 3D printing of models and medical equipment for

Materials engineering student Ariel Harush, initiator and leader of “3D Print 4 Israel”

□ Now that the university is adapting to a “war routine”, HR opened a daycare center on the Marcus Family Campus that will allow parents of children ages 3-12 to return to work while providing their children with a safe, educational and fun environment. □ A mental health first aid call center was opened to provide support to all members of the Ben-Gurion community and their families.

□ Another team of volunteers from across the university took on supporting the families of staff and faculty who have been called up for reserve duty. □ HR opened a dedicated WhatsApp community for parents, where resources, links and ideas for activities at home can be shared. □ An early childhood emergency call center was set up to provide parents with professional counseling.

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STRONG AND UNITED WE WILL PREVAIL