Once a student has a scheduled appointment, typically called an intake, they can expect to meet with a counselor for 30-45 minutes. This first appointment is not a counseling session and is intended to gather information, determine counseling goals and appropriate next steps (i.e., individual counseling, group counseling, or referral for other support services).  

Each counselor practices within their scope and has their own approach to the counseling process. Since each student brings their own unique concerns, we do not practice in a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, we do our best to tailor our approach to the student’s needs.

At times, a referral to an outside provider may be warranted due to the nature of a college setting and limitations within this setting. The majority of students will resolve their concern in 3-6 sessions; however, some students may need more sessions (i.e., long-term counseling) where the goal is to reduce symptoms/improve management of symptoms, rather than resolve a problem.

A crisis occurs when you have reached a level of distress that is beyond your ability to cope. Counselors are available for crisis intervention and given that these times are unpredictable, we will do our best to accommodate a student during our business hours by having our first available counselor meet with the student.

Crisis intervention is not a typical counseling session. The goal is to assess the student’s safety first, then work to reduce the level of distress for the student to return an acceptable level of functioning.

After-hours response is available to students experiencing a mental health crisis/emergency by calling campus safety at (716) 375-2525. Campus safety or the RD on-call will typically arrive to your campus location and be present while the counselor on-call assesses the student by phone. The counselor on-call, RD and campus safety will work collaboratively to address the needs of the student in crisis.

All contacts with the Center for Student Wellness and all health records are confidential. No information is released without the student's written permission, except in limited situations as permitted by federal or state laws.

Parental notification is the responsibility of the student (over the age of 18) unless the condition is serious and the student is not able to assume this responsibility. For students under the age of 18, parents may sign to have information released.

For more information on confidentiality, please refer to page 2 of the Mandatory Health Evaluation & Immunization Information Forms for All Students." A link to the forms is provided at right under "All Student Health Forms." Also at right, you will find a link for our compliant "Medical Information Release Forms."

For all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full time at St. Bonaventure University, the cost of appointments with the campus medical provider and counselors, some on-site medications, and on-site medical supplies is built into the cost of attending SBU. There is no fee and no need to use insurance.

Insurance coverage is required, however, for certain services. These include:

• To pay for any medical testing or bloodwork that the campus medical provider may need to perform that must be sent out to an external laboratory;
• To purchase prescription medications not provided on campus;
• To pay for costs associated with any referrals made to off-campus providers such as emergency room services, specialists, radiology (X-ray) services, urgent care providers, etc., in the event that the SBU Health Services medical provider is unable to meet a student’s medical needs on campus; or
• To pay for medical transports (such as ambulance and EMS rides) to other facilities. 
  

To purchase the SBU Student Health Insurance Plan

• If you or your child is a full-time undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) student, and would like to purchase the plan, the charge will be automatically added to your student account. For more questions on billing, please contact the Business Office at 716-375-2030.
• If you or your child is a part-time undergraduate (bachelor’s degree), part or full-time graduate (master’s degree) student and you would like to purchase the SBU Student Health Plan, you may do so by CLICKING HERE.  (PLEASE NOTE: As a part-time undergraduate or graduate student, you must be taking at least 6 credit hours in order to qualify to purchase the plan.)
  

To keep your current, existing health insurance plan

* The SBU Student Health Insurance Policy is underwritten by a company that is not directly affiliated with St. Bonaventure University. Any questions regarding the student policy may be directed to our insurance broker Haylor, Freyer and Coon by phone at 1-866-535-0456, or by email at student@haylor.com

• Immunization & Vaccination Policy
• Vaccine Medical Exemption Form
• Vaccine Religious Exemption Form
• Meningococcal Disease & Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Instructions to upload COVID vaccine proof

• Allergy Injection Form
  • Allergist Agreement Form
  • Allergy Injections Consent Form


• Club Sports Clearance Form
  All students playing a club sport must complete this form before participating in practices or games. NOTE: No physicals are provided by the Wellness Center. Please have any physicals required for any reason completed prior to arriving on campus, or by an off-campus provider.


• Medical Information Release Form
  Authorizing the Center for Student Wellness to RELEASE information

NCAA athletes only

The Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) is a student-run emergency medical services (EMS) agency of more than 40 members that is on call 24/7. Student volunteers are all New York state or nationally certified emergency medical technicians (EMT-B), or are training to earn the classification. 

MERT serves the campus population as well as the surrounding community. Its members work with local organizations, volunteering for events held by Special Olympics and the Southern Tier Health Care System. 

MERT is a great way to gain leadership and medical experience. 

Interested in joining?

We're always looking for new members and no prior experience is required. If you want to become part of the team, download our MERT application and contact us at mert@sbu.edu. 

In the event of a medical emergency, MERT can be reached (716) 375-2525.