Health Fee

• Efficient, cost-effective services and educational programs for all students
• Provides health, counseling and health promotion services specialized for young adult populations
• Assist students in developing coping skills regarding academics, career decisions, and personal concerns
• Deliver counseling, wellness coaching, and other interventions to students who are retention risks
• Providehealth promotion and harm reduction strategies for high risk and general population students related to alcohol and other drugs, sexual violence (rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, stalking) prevention, healthy eating, financial wellbeing, and stress management 
• Medical services provided to any registered UB student
• Specialtycare clinics such as travel medicine and sexual and reproductive health
• Convenience of an on-site dispensary providing affordable prescription and nonprescription medications
• Convenience of onsite laboratory testing and phlebotomy services
• Ensure health insurance coverage for all international students and scholars
• Help students navigate NYS Health Insurance Marketplace to find affordable health coverage
• Registered NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program expanding awareness,education,and access to naloxone
• Provide low-cost emergency contraception on campus
• Nutrition consultations, programs and services, including cross-disciplinary eating disorders treatment team
• Referrals to diagnostic laboratory, radiology and off-campus specialty medical services
• Responsible for compliance with federal, state, local, SUNY, and health-related profession immunization and health screening requirements
• Responsible for compliance with all applicable NYS Public Health Laws including offer of screening for hepatitis C, HIV, and communicable disease reporting
• Fulfill prevention education compliance with State and Federal education regulations for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, including but not limited to:
  • Drug Free Schools (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs)
  • Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE)  Act
  • Title IX
  • SUNY Policies on Sexual Violence Prevention and Response
  • NYS Enough is Enough (article e-129-b)
• Evidence-informed training for healthy community building and risk reduction with Campus Living, fraternity and sorority life, Athletics, and other partners
• Web-based mental health, self-care, and wellness tools and information
• Reasonable accommodations, services, and other resources to ensure quality of educational and campus community opportunities for qualified students with disabilities
• Academic credit provided to students provided to students through internships and practicums, Intro to Peer Education training, and student leadership program
• Data collection for documentation of student satisfaction, knowledge, attitudes, needs, and health behaviors for program assessment, evaluation and planning

• Direct support and care (one-on-one) for physical and mental health through telehealth visits and in-person appointments
• Individual, couples and group counseling services
• Provide year-round after-hours mental health crisis intervention and consultation
• Provide year-round after-hours medical triage and advice
• Provide supervised training opportunities for students in social work, psychology, mental health counseling, nursing, exercise sciences and nutrition sciences
• Frequent, multi-location educational opportunities
• Advocacy, referral and information for disabled student participation in all aspects of campus life

Student Health Services provides care for acute illnesses, injuries, and chronic medical problems in a timely manner for students. Well visits and preventative care appointments are also offered to students. Patients receive follow-up care and education, and referrals as needed.

• Scheduled medical appointments (in-person and tele-health)
• Nurse appointments and telephone consultation
• Referrals to community health care providers

There were 12,803 patient encounters for 2023-2024.

• Specialty care is primary care designed to serve patients with specific medical needs. Individual patient utilization can range from a single consultation to continuous medical treatment. Many specialty care services can only be accomplished through in-person appointments. 
• Reproductive health
• Sexually transmitted infection testing, treatment, and education
• HIV pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis
• Gender-affirming hormone therapy
• Travel clinic
• Immunization
• Chiropractic

• Over 50% of all primary care appointments were made within 24 hours of scheduled times.
• October was the busiest month for patient visits, followed by September, February, and April.

We provide information on common health concerns experienced by college students and what they can do about them, including making referrals to our myriad student services on campus so that they feel supported by and connected to the UB community. We also make referrals to community partners as part of a coordinated and comprehensive care approach.

Brief individual, group, and couples counseling, crisis intervention, mental health consultations, and educational programs. 

• Adjustment issues
• Alcohol and substance use problems
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Family and other interpersonal relationships
• Stress
• Trauma experiences (i.e. assault, abuse)

• 1,864 students attended 11,227 counseling appointments
• 91% of the time, students attended an appointment on the same day they requested services.
• The top concerns for students are anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, family problems, interpersonal concerns, and phase of life problems.
• 93% of students who received services would recommend Counseling Services to a friend.
• 82% of students attended 1-10 counseling sessions. On average students attended 6 sessions.
• 39% of the students who sought counseling were graduate students.
• 26% of the students who sought counseling were first-generation college students.
• 54% of the students who received counseling were students of color
• 23% of students who sought counseling were international students.
• I 515 people including student groups, academic departments, and people from the Buffalo-area community participated in our first ever Out of the Darkness UB Campus Walk and Roll

Quality information, workshops and outreach programs for the entire student population. Present information on current topics of interest, to build a healthy UB community.

• Rainbow Hour —LGBTQ connections
• Mindful Self-Compassion Health Professionals
• Body Image and Eating Concerns
• Stress Management
• Self-Care for Law Students

• Offered 276educational programs related to college mental health
• Provided 51 diversity awareness programs intended to provide more understanding and support for the emotional wellness needs of BIPOC, LGBTQ, International Students, and Students with Disabilities.
• 23 suicide prevention programs were offered

Overall, Counseling Services had 15,612 campus contacts through workshops and educational programs, 

• After-hours crisis consultation is available 365 days a year
• Provided 104 after-hours crisis interventions to students
• Provided campus-wide support following tragedies such as death of a campus member or international human and natural disasters (i.e., earthquake in Turkey, protests in Afghanistan and Iran)

• We are a training site for doctoral interns, social work interns, and masters students in counseling psychology and mental health counseling

16 graduate students were trained/supervised at Counseling Services. Trainees provided additional counseling hours and contributed fulfilling training requirements of academic programs (Social Work, Counseling Psychology, and Mental Health Counseling)

This office provides health promotion and harm reduction through accurate, timely information, programs, and outreach for key campus health and wellness priorities (alcohol and other drugs, healthy eating, stress management, financial wellbeing and sexual violence prevention and response, and outreach to high-risk populations). We partner with campus and community stakeholders to reach target groups and design and implement interventions to reduce health risks and increase opportunities for academic success.

• Implement workshops in varied settings to reach undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
• Build and maintain campus community coalitions to bring together resources for health promotion
• Provide mandatory educational intervention related to cannabis and alcohol for students who violate campus policies (UB SAFER Program: UB Students Avoiding Further Exposure to Risk)
• Provide mandatory online alcohol risk reduction education for all incoming undergraduate first-year students and transfer students (AlcoholEDU), over 6,000 students annually
• Provide mandatory online sexual violence prevention and bystander intervention training for all incoming undergraduate, graduate, and professional students (Sexual Assault Prevention, You Got This), over 10,000 students annually
• Implement training for residence hall staff and paraprofessionals, orientation aides, community advisors, and other student leaders
• Spearhead outreach programs for targeted at-risk or underserved student audiences (international status, commuters, greek organization members, athletes, first generation, veterans, and students in recovery from substance abuse)
• Provide nutritional assessments, cooking classes, nutrition and intuitive eating practice workshops, healthy eating campaigns and eating disorders awareness.
• Facilitate Koru mindfulness and meditation program to UB, teaching students mindful eating, walking meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga postures to reduce stress, increase focus, and improve sleep
• Wellness Coaching Program which provides individual consultations with students who have goals toward behavior change in such areas as time management, financial literacy, stress reduction, and sleep
• Active participation in research efforts to identify best practices for health promotion in priority health areas including collaboration with UB’s Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Social Work, Accessibility Resources, and the Institute on Research of Women and Gender
• Work with regional and state agencies regarding campus prevention including: Horizons Health Services, Crisis Services of Western New York, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Erie County Rape Crisis Advisory Committee, Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence, WNY Higher Education Consortium’s Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention, and Compliance Task Force, and New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Provide support to meet requirements under Title IX\VAWA, NYS e-129b, Clery Act, and SUNY policies and procedures relating to sexual assault and violence prevention including:
  • Multimodal prevention, awareness, and harm reduction outreach, education, and training
  • Collaborative efforts with various university and off-campus partners
  • One-on-one consultations with students and employee referrals
  • Reporting, medical care, and emotional support options
  • Connect with accommodations for victim/survivor and/or partner and work with academic and other units as needed

60,599 student contacts were made through engagement in Health Promotion programs and services:

• 6450 student contacts were made for Alcohol and Other Drug Harm Reduction (440   workshop and outreach participants, 212  AOD screenings,  246  individual and group interventions and 5,552  online participants.
• 22,811 student contacts were made through our Healthy Eating Program (199 virtual interventions, 241 in-person trainings/events,.22,174 pieces of fruit distributed and 17 farm shares were distributed through the Community Supported Agriculture program)
• 21,418 students trained in Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (174 training sessions, 16,379 online participants
• 3,979  student contacts were made for Stress Management (1,600  outreach contacts, 369  Wellness Coaching appointments, 10 Koru Mindfulness attendees, 1,200  workshop contacts , 800 yoga participants
• 83% of students indicated they received information on sexual assault and relationship violence prevention from UB in the last year, and the students who indicated they received this information from us rated their overall health higher than their peers who did not indicate they received information on sexual assault and relationship violence prevention from us (NCHA, 2022)

UB is a national leader in Peer Education for Sexual Violence Prevention and Response. Through intensive training, peer educators learn to use their health knowledge to assist other students and to increase the health literacy of UB’s campus community. Each peer educator is national certified and gains valuable hands-on experience in health promotion program development, group facilitation, public speaking, peer-coaching, social marketing and outreach.

• Delivers health promotion and harm reduction programs to campus community
• Identify student needs and share appropriate resources
• Internships, practicums, and assistantships for School of Social Work, Exercise Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Health and Human Services, and Master’s in Public Health

Health Promotion provides 30+ student internships in four different wellness and leadership program areas with more than 15 academic areas represented

Support and promote educational, career, social, and recreational choices and objectives of students with disabilities at UB, and advocate for their full inclusion in all aspects of campus life. Services are provided on an individualized basis.

• Individualized assessment of student-access needs
• Reasonable modification of University policies, practices and procedures (including academic adjustments) as needed to assure nondiscrimination on the basis of disability
• Auxiliary aids and services for accessing print and oral communication and for accessing programs, services, and activities throughout the campus community
• Services and modified conditions for accessing course tests
• Services for accessing programs, services, and benefits
• Free assessment and training on accessible features of computing and information services
• Accessibility information and agency referral
• Coordinated University efforts for individualized snow clearance of typical and scheduled paths of travel for individual students with known mobility impairments
• Individual and group consultations for campus participation by students with disabilities
• Faculty consultations

• Approximately 1,374 students served by the Office of Accessibility Resources
• Number of students with multiple disabilities have almost doubled in 20-21.
• AR has seen over a 30% in students with Mental Health Disabilities
• 1,232 hours of Remote Transcription provided 
• Administered approximately 10,000 exams in an academic year
• Provided 245 Live Scribe Pens for integrating note-taking with digital audio recording
• Provided 1,012 sets of course lecture notes
• Provided 138 accessible textbooks in electronic formats
• Wrote 18,296 memos to faculty recommending reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in their classes
• Conducted 1,374 orientations to student in either virtual, video or in-person format for individual AR Memo (Communicating with Faculty) orientations
• 186 individual Assistive Technology Consultations and Trainings were provided to students 
• Over 6000 individual points of contact were made with students to support them

Counseling Services
120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

120 Michael Hall (South Campus)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

After-hours crisis intervention is available 365 days a year. Call 716-645-2720 and select option #2.

Health Promotion
114 Student Union (North Campus)
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., plus extended evening and weekend hours for requested or indicated health promotion programs

Health Services

4350 Maple Road, Amherst, NY 14226
Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; open until 7:00 p.m. during fall and spring terms

Tuesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone lines open at 8:30 a.m. Monday – Friday

On-call nurse triage services available during closed hours. Contact made by calling Student Health Services.

Accessibility Resources
60 Capen Hall
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

1 Diefendorf
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Course testing hours at 60 Capen
Monday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-  7 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Course testing hours at 1 Diefendorf
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: (716) 645-2608
Fax: (716) 645-3116
TTY: (716) 645-2616

Do I have to have a certain insurance plan to be able to use the services of Student Wellness (Counseling Services, Student Health Services, and Health Promotion)?

No! The services are funded through the Health Fee that you pay with your tuition bill, so there is no charge to you or your insurance. Lab work, prescriptions, radiology studies, and specialist care will be covered according to your personal health insurance policy.

How many visits to the services are covered by the Health Fee?

Currently, enrolled UB students may be seen at Student Health Services as often as needed. Currently enrolled UB students should participate in the programs offered by Health Promotion as often as possible. The Office of Accessibility Resources offers services to any eligible, currently enrolled student. Currently enrolled students are eligible for an assessment at Counseling Services at the end of which one or more of the following recommendations will be made: counseling on campus, referral to other services on campus, or referral to a mental health provider in the community.

Whom do I contact with health insurance questions?

Insurance questions are common. The Student Health Insurance Office staff (1 Capen, 716-645-3036) are great resources for all your health insurance concerns. We do encourage you to talk directly to your own insurance company if you have specific benefit questions.

What if I have a medical emergency and I need to be seen today?

The appointment system at Student Health Services allows for acute problems that need immediate attention. Call 716-829-3316 for a “Same Day Appointment.” Walk-ins are discouraged. If there is a true medical emergency dial 716-645-2222 from any on campus location or 911 if you are off campus.

What do I do when I’m sick at 3 a.m.?

When Student Health Services is closed and you have a medical concern, call 716-829-3316 and you will be given instructions and information about your after-hours care options. There is medical advice available (by phone) 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support UB students when Student Health Services is closed. This on-call nurse triage service can be contacted through the Student Health Services general number at 716-829-3316. If there is a medical emergency on campus, call 716-645-2222. If you are off-campus, dial 911.

What if I am concerned about the emotional well-being of a student or friend, but don’t quite know how to handle the situation?

Please call Counseling Services to consult with a counselor about your concerns. A counselor can coach you on how to discuss your concerns with the student, and provide you with information about our services in the event that a referral for counseling might be helpful.

If I come for counseling, who else will know?

Counseling often deals with very personal and private issues. Counselors respect students’ privacy and will not release information disclosed in counseling without the student’s explicit permission, except in situations when it is necessary to protect the student’s or another person’s safety.

What is the Peer Educator program offered by Health Promotion?

Our peer educators come from all academic majors, bringing their unique skills and diverse perspectives into their health promotion projects. Through intensive and extensive training, peer educators learn to use their health knowledge to assist other students and to increase the “health literacy” of UB’s campus community. Each peer educator gains valuable hands-on experience in program development, group facilitation, public speaking, peer-coaching, social marketing and outreach. Students can enroll in our UBE110 introduction to peer education courses offered in both the fall and spring semesters.

I am having trouble with my AlcoholEDU or Sexual Assault Prevention account, what can I do?

If you experience any difficulties or require support, the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention Online Technical Support Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Simply click on the “Help” button located in the upper right-hand corner of every screen. You do not need to be logged into the course to access the Help Site. Or if you have further questions, contact Elliott Bystrak, Health Promotion, alcoholedu@vpsa.buffalo.edu.

Student Conduct directed me to UB SAFER because I violated alcohol policies and state laws, what is the UB SAFER program?

UB SAFER stands for UB Students Avoiding Further Exposure to Risk. Health Promotion educators provide an interactive alcohol and drug education workshop for all students who are referred to UB SAFER. The program provides a comfortable environment for personal reflection and exploration of behavioral options. In addition, each student is assigned to an educational intervention based on their initial screening for amount and frequency of alcohol and marijuana use, and as appropriate will receive a one-on-one confidential follow-up session with a health educator, to review any concerns or questions and identify additional referrals.

I can’t seem to manage my class load and my extracurricular activities. I feel stressed out. Help!

Stress reduction is an essential aspect of campus wellness for all students.  We teach free mindfulness and meditation programs that teach the fundamental skills to support student well-being.  We also offer yoga and a Chill Out event before finals. For a listing of on-going programs stop by the Health Promotion office or look at the UB event calendar.  The counseling and educational programs offered at Counseling Services often focus on problem-solving, coping skills, and values clarification which all contribute to reducing stress. In addition, the UB Wellness Coaching Program helps students define specific goals related to their overall health and wellness, and to identify and implement actionable steps to achieve those goals.

How is eligibility for disability-based services and accommodations determined?

Eligibility is determined through an individualized comprehensive review of the student accommodation request along with verification of documented disability and/or reasonable-accommodation history. Reasonable accommodations are identified which are intended to ensure you an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the programs, services, and activities of UB. Copies of the Office of Accessibility Resources eligibility policy are available at our office in 60 Capen.

Are there any scholarships available for students with disabilities at UB?

Yes, the Office of Accessibility Resources has three different scholarships available. Additional information is available at our office in 60 Capen.