Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
On- and Off-Campus Support Resources: Fall 2021
Remember, seeking help is a strength, not a weakness
ON-CAMPUS HEALTH
& WELLNESS SUPPORT
Student Health Center*
Mon-Fri, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm EST
The mission of the
Student Health Center (SHC) is to keep students healthy so that they may
achieve their academic, personal, and athletic goals. The SHC provides confidential,
accessible, cost-effective, current evidence-based treatment for acute and chronic
physical health problems. At this time, appointments are being offered
virtually (phone and video). Call 518-276-6287 to schedule an appointment, or
schedule one through your Student Health portal. There are no walk-in
appointments available at the Student Health Center during this time.
*information
subject to change based on pandemic conditions
Counseling Center*
Mon-Fri, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm EST (some weekday evening hours available by appointment)
The goal of the Counseling Center is to help students maximize their sense of well-being as well as their academic, personal, and social growth. Appointments are free and confidential, and in-person at the Counseling Center, 4th Floor of Academy Hall. Some WebEx and phone appointments will be offered as needed. Please contact the Counseling Center for this service. Appointments can be made by calling 518-276-6479 or email: counseling@rpi.edu Counseling Center staff are available in case of a crisis on evenings and weekends (call Public Safety at 518-276-6611 and ask to speak with the on-call counselor).
*information
subject to change based on pandemic conditions
Office of Health Promotion
Health promotion initiatives at Rensselaer are evidence-based and comprehensive efforts to improve health knowledge, behaviors, and skills of Rensselaer students. Health Educators provide campus programming on a variety of health topics, and are available for one-on-one consultations around issues including, but not limited to: sleep hygiene, mental health, sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, LGBTQIA+ topics, sexual assault prevention, and more. All appointments are free and confidential, and take place via WebEx. To schedule an appointment, email: healthed@rpi.edu Follow us on social media for daily health tips and event information! Instagram: rpi.studenthealth |Twitter: @RPIhealth |
Facebook: RPI Student Health Services | Discord: https://discord.gg/8DZJJ38zWj
Disability Services for Students
The Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS) assists Rensselaer students with disabilities in gaining equal access to academic programs, extracurricular activities, and physical facilities on campus. DSS is the designated office at Rensselaer that obtains and files disability-related documentation, assesses for eligibility of services, and determines reasonable accommodations in consultation with students. Call 518-276-8197 or email dss@rpi.edu for more information.
Mueller Center/Campus Recreation
Operated by the Rensselaer Union, the Mueller
Center's facilities, fitness classes, intramural, and outdoor recreation and wellness
programs foster a friendly, judgment-free environment. A variety of virtual
fitness classes and wellness programs are offered. Follow us on social media
for regular updates. Instagram: @rpicampusrecreation
| Twitter: @rpicampusrec | Facebook: The Mueller
Center
Registered Dietician Nutritionist
Kimberly Mayer, RDN, is available for complimentary consultations for any RPI students that have a meal plan. Some of these nutrition topics may include:
· Food allergies, celiac and other special dietary needs
· How to eat healthy on campus
· Vegan and vegetarian dining
· Sports nutrition
To schedule an appointment, email: Kimberly.mayer@sodexo.com
ON-CAMPUS
ACADEMIC & PERSONAL GROWTH SUPPORT
Advising and Learning Assistance Center or ALAC
The Advising and Learning Assistance Center (ALAC) helps undergraduates thrive academically through a variety of support programs like tutoring, advising, and other activities. Contact ALAC at: 518-276-6269 or visit them online at: https://info.rpi.edu/advising-learning-assistance
The Center for Global Communication +
Design
Our
goal is to provide you with strategies that will make you a more effective
communicator—in the classroom and beyond. Whatever the communication project,
we can help! Free services offered include: tutoring, language and cultural
support for non-native English-speaking students, and writing-related and
visual design-related resources for use while working on your various projects.
For more information, visit: https://info.rpi.edu/comm-d
STRIVE
STRIVE provides
personal support, assistance, and social guidance to Rensselaer’s
underrepresented students through activities and interactions with their
classmates, faculty, staff, and alumni. In collaboration with Rensselaer’s
chapters of the national Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers, STRIVE connects first-year students with upper-class
mentors. For more information, email success@rpi.edu or visit them online at: https://success.studentlife.rpi.edu/current-students/underrepresented-student-success/strive
LGBTQ+ Mentoring Network
Designed for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and
questioning (LGBTQ+) campus community at Rensselaer, this program pairs "mentors"
("out" LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, and local alumni) and
"mentees" (LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students) in formal
mentoring relationships. Mentors can provide professional advice and emotional
support, help you explore your sexual orientation, romantic orientation, and/or
gender identity, and/or serve as a friendly LGBTQ+ face on campus to meet with
for coffee/lunch, a walk, or just to talk. Mentee privacy is maintained at all
times. For more information, contact the program coordinator: Tara R. Schuster schust@rpi.edu
The Center for Deep
Listening
Described as a form of
meditation that opens an expanded world of sound that helps students with
learning in all disciplines, the center offers an online Deep
Listening Teaching Certification,
houses the Deep Listening archives, sponsors Deep Listening workshops and
retreats in a range of community settings, and connects students with an
international community of Deep Listening teachers. For more information,
visit: https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/
Student Success Labs
The goal of Student Success Labs is to help you achieve your goals and overcome obstacles such as stress, planning, anxiety, and motivation. Success Labs boast talks by faculty, administrators, and experts who lead hands-on workshops. The sessions are open to any RPI students looking to achieve academic and/or personal goals. Past talks have included topics such as: resiliency, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and how to address procrastination: https://success.studentlife.rpi.edu/success-labs
Personal Success Plans
Let the Office of
Student Success create a personalized plan for your academic success. This
plan, which has been completed by over 1,000 Rensselaer students, is an online
inventory that is academic in nature. If your academics aren’t strong, it’s
hard to achieve other goals. Completing an online inventory will help you pinpoint
motivational and other issues that may be hindering you. For more information,
visit: https://success.studentlife.rpi.edu/current-students/academic-and-personal-support/personal-success-plans
OFF-CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND
NATIONAL SUPPORT
To view a complete list of meetings available Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Rensselaer County
General Information: info@al-anon-8ny.org
Alateen Information: alateen@al-anon-8ny.org
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
*phone number listed on the back of your RPI
Student ID card
The hotline provides 24/7/365 free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call 1-800-273-8255 or connect via chat https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
Rensselaer County
Health Department
The Rensselaer County Health Department helps keep our community healthy by providing essential public health services. For free, confidential vaccinations and HIV/STI clinics, call 518-270-2655. For smoking cessation services, call 1-866-NY-QUITS. Contact the Rensselaer Recovery Hotline at 1-833-467-3213 to receive information, resources, or referrals regarding substance abuse and recovery. For general services information, visit: https://www.rensco.com/departments/public-health/
Whitney M Young
Health Center
The Whitney M Young Health Center offers free, confidential rapid HIV testing and Hepatitis C testing. Please call ahead to schedule your test at 518-591-4553. We also offer confidential, comprehensive support services for those who test positive. Whitney M Young Health Center is also available to help individuals find low-cost or no-cost health insurance.
The Disaster Distress Helpline
A national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This multilingual, confidential crisis support service is available 24/7/365. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ young adults and allies)
Trained counselors are available to support LGBTQ+ young adult and allies 24/7/365. If you are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe, judgment-free, and confidential place to talk, call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or connect via chat online at: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
This helpline is a free, confidential resource for
Veterans of all ages and circumstances. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press
"1", text 838255, or chat
online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat to
connect with 24/7 support.
Shine: Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
Online resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertainty: https://www.virusanxiety.com/ Text 741741 to talk to a crisis counselor – it’s free, confidential, and available all hours.