By Evan Filandrianos, Currier Times Staff///

Curry College announces The Social Achievement in Learning (SAIL), a program designed to enable students with “social or emotional challenges” to achieve their full potential within a conventional college environment that would otherwise potentially struggle to do so without it.

Curry was motivated to launch this program now as our community is known for stellar academic support; however, compared to other colleges, there were some deficiencies the college recognized that would help in student support.

The Curry website describes this new program as for full-time undergraduate students at Curry with “Social or emotional Challenges,” this, being broad, describes academically capable students who could benefit from transitional support, social assistance, alternative housing, self-advocacy skills and have at least one of the following diagnoses: Anxiety, depression, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), or self-report for need of such a support service.

More specifically, the service is meant for students who need assistance in sensory processing, socializing with their peers, planning and completing academic work related to sequence, understanding social cues, understanding abstract language, understanding and using non-verbal communication, initiating communication and understanding others’ points of view.

The SAIL Program offers services in transitional support, alternative housing, and wellness support.

This program is emphasized not to be designed for students who are in need of behavior intervention or those unable to perform daily independent living skills.

The SAIL team will consist of a speech-language pathologist, committee directors with specialized ASD training, and people with organizational, social, and behavioral support for students. The team will have a wellness coordinator, too.

All this does come at a cost; the cost to be in the SAIL program for an academic year is $9,000, or $4,500 a semester.

Curry’s Admissions office said there is a need for a service like this.

“We are confident that interest in the SAIL program will be strong.” said Keith Robichaud, Associate Vice President and Dean of Admissions.

Since the program’s announcement, the college has already received several calls from potential student prospects and a handful of applications for the upcoming Fall semester, when it officially launches.

More people, besides students, have positive inquiries about the new program, too. High school counselors and independent consultants within education will be joining Curry College administration for a virtual session about the new program.

PAL vs. SAIL differences

Robichaud acknowledges that Curry has supported neurodivergent students over the last 50 years by utilizing the PAL (Program for the Advancement of Learning) program, long regarded as the first of its kind in the country. However, PAL is purely an academic-based assistance program, whereas SAIL is for students who could benefit from different supports not offered by PAL.

“Where PAL is an academic-based support program, SAIL is a program for students who will benefit from social assistance, transitional support, and the development of self-advocacy skills,” said Robichaud.

Both programs support the unique needs of Curry students.

Many students told The Currier Times they were unfamiliar with this new program; however, upon hearing that the design is unique from our PAL program to give students social assistance, transitional support, and self-advocacy skills, many felt it was a good idea for this campus.

Nyasia Green, a sophomore majoring in Psychology, said it sounded unique.

“I believe this would be very beneficial because not a lot of schools have programs like this,” said Green. “And this can help a lot of people.”

John Garrison, a junior majoring in Public Relations, felt it could improve confidence.

“It’s great for students to be able to learn how to speak up for their selves through advocacy skills,” said Garrison.

Reighan Blaikie, a freshman majoring in Forensic Science at the College, said it’s a great new concept.

“I think it will be very helpful for students who may not need academic-based help,” said Blaikie.

The program starts in the Fall, and current and future students can join the program after completing an application, any potential supporting information, and then an interview. If students prefer, they can also choose to apply for a traditional PAL model.