Online communities provide a way for students to express their thoughts, ideas and fears about academic and personal issues without worrying about the judgment of others.

University Life Café is one of those online communities.

The site for students provides professional information about topics like personal well-being, test anxiety, problem solving and suicide prevention. It also has activities like artwork and humorous videos.

University Life Café has been awarded by the American College Personnel Association as one of the top 10 innovations in college counseling.

"The original idea of being a ‘café' was finding a place where students could meet, talk, engage and share their stories," said Fred Newton, former director of counseling services.

Barbara Pearson, assistant director of counseling services and director of University Life Café, said she wants to ensure K-State students that although the website has professional information available, it is not just another help site for students. It has other content like news about campus events, site-sponsored contests and annual art showings.

University Life Café launched in January 2009 and was created with contributions from K-State students, faculty and staff. On a weekend retreat, members created everything from the website's name to its logo and layout.

"Other universities are amazed that we've been able to do all of this, that we are able to get a committee together and have instructors do an overnight retreat so this could all be made possible," Pearson said.

Since the website's launch, a student advisory board still meets regularly to discuss the site and how it can be improved.

"It really is the first of its kind in the U.S.," said Shalin Hai-Jew, instructional designer for the Information Technology Assistance Center.

The site is run by Pearson, several undergraduate students, graduate students and other members of the K-State faculty and staff.

The site-sponsored videos were shot on campus and feature students from the drama therapy department, and marketing and advertising students have focused on getting information out on campus.

"University Life Café is a great multi-layer project that reaches out to students that may not normally come into the counseling office," Pearson said. "This site reaches students where they are located."

Outside of the United States, people from 117 countries have visited University Life Café, and it has been translated into 30 languages. Pearson said the site is recognized more nationally and internationally than it is on the K-State campus.

"One of our goals now is to get the news about University Life Café spread around campus, so K-State students can take advantage of University Life Café's many benefits," Pearson said.

More information on University Life Café can be found on the second floor of the English and Counseling Services building or at www.universitylifecafe.org.

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