By Nicole Kujawski
The College Senate of Buffalo State College decided to raise the mandatory health fee for students to expand the Weigel Health Center services. This raise will begin in Fall 2007, increasing the fee more than 50 percent to $115 per semester.
The extra funds will increase staff to accommodate more students’ needs. As a result, the director of Weigel Health Center, Dr Theresa Stephen Hains, wants to bring students in to discuss what services need to be expanded. She also would like to discuss ways to get information about the services out to the campus community.
“We are planning to conduct a survey at the health center and counseling center on hours and services. We are working with the Student Health Advisory Committee,” said Hains. “We are also interested in having one or two meetings with students to receive their thoughts on health center services. We would hold these before the end of the semester so that we can use the input for planning for the fall.”
To be involved in the discussions, contact Hains.
Some of their services are:
Weigel works with many outside agencies, including Planned Parenthood, AIDS Community Services and Women’s Services to coordinate care for students for services not provided by Weigel.
Weigel also refers students to off-campus facilities where they can receive medical services at times when Weigel is busy or not open. For hours and contact information for each facility, go to the Weigel Health Center. These facilities include:
Weigel also has on-going programs focused on various issues. There is currently a domestic violence prevention program which culminates on May 4 with “A Day of Conversation: Interpersonal Violence on a College Campus.” This all day event features speakers and other sessions geared toward educating faculty and staff on recognizing, intervening, preventing and resourcing to aid students who have been abused. Organizers include:
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Kim Jablonski, medical program coordinator
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Sandra Brown, nurse practitioner
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Tammy Kresge, coordinator of health promotions
Kresge organizes workshops across campus addressing domestic violence specifically for students.
“Our hope is that we’re going to equip faculty and staff with knowing what the answer is,” Jablonski said, “how to refer somebody, how to get them help. If they ask the question and then they get the answer of ‘no I’m not alright.’”
Weigel has partnered with the Eric County Coalition Against Family Violence to bring this event to campus. Crisis Services will be presenting with the Weigel Counseling Center on sexual assualt along with representatives from RIT.
Students are welcome to attend the event and all are encouraged to pre-register with Weigel. Lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact Nicole Kujawski at nicolekuj@yahoo.com
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