Campus Wide Student Health Initiatives (2011 Strategic Plan)

Results of the spring 2011 Student Health Survey should be used to develop and implement campus-wide initiatives that will result in increased overall health of our student population. Initiatives could include training academic advisors to respond to student health concerns with appropriate resources; redesign of relevant departmental websites to include wellness options available to students; development of an online “referral guides” tab that outlines the processes to gain help for students; expanded training and awareness for first year students about sexual violence/assault; and a pre-orientation module that could be completed online.

Comments
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 * Also, a new and closer space for Health Services!!! I know it's been said before, but seriously. And a pool that's actually open regularly for swimming. Ellen Green


 * In terms of health, the student health insurance needs to be evaluated. It does not meet the needs of a population of students, particularly trans students, and students with health sustaining medications. There is a 2,000 cap on prescription coverage. For any student with a health sustaining medication that will not last them the year and they are faced with stress, sickness, and time taken away from their studies to search for alternatives. This could also lead to risky behavior such as buying drugs from unsafe services and for those who can not get medication using substances such as alcohol or illegal drugs to self medicate. For others it endangers their health, and at times their life. In addition our insurance does not cover services for transgendered students where many public health programs have progressed to do so. Also universities such as the University of California have implemented insurances that cover their trans students needs. Hampshire college being a progressive school I would expect no less from as well. Vincenzo Alexander S11
 * I agree with Vincenzo that our insuarance and health services needs to be more trans friendly. Ideally, our insuarance would include coverage for trans related surgeries and medications. Something that is more feasible in the short term, however, would be insitituting policies so that hampshire's therapists can perscribe hormones for trans students. It's downright discriminatory that students can be perscribed sleeping pills and ADD meds, but must go off campus to get gender related medication. Gaines Blasdel F10
 * We have a number of opportunities available to students, but it can be hard to find what they are. It'd be great if all resources could be included in a Wellness web-page, that was comprehensive, including health services, res life events and opportunities, OPRA, etc.