Among the other issues and priorities we have, three ideas around student health and wellness are driving our campaign for a stronger a campus community. We encourage you to continue reading to learn more about the new initiatives for which we plan to lobby the administration.
Expand the Counseling Center
Through a survey that went out from the Student Life Committee earlier this semester, and from our conversations with our classmates, we are finding that students are having a hard time booking appointments at the Counseling Center. We believe that we're at our best when we can get the support we need during trying times. We plan to lead a push from the student body to hire an additional counselor in the Counseling Center to allow for more flexibility in scheduling appointments.
Create a space for students to visit Peer Health Advisers
The Peer Health Adviser program has been remarkably successful. We have found that students would like a set space to meet confidentially with Health Advisers, who are trained to address issues as varied as dealing with academic stress and supporting survivors and victims of sexual assault. Upon the recommendations of students and staff affiliated with the program, this space can double as a resource center for wellness or issues related to gender and sexuality. Although the Lula Bell Houston buildings is projected to open up shortly after the laundry service ends at the end of this year, we see such a space potentially going either there or in a location vacated as a result of the opening of those buildings.
Allocate more resources toward health education and Title IX compliance.
We are proud that Davidson is putting large amounts of time and effort into improving its sexual misconduct policy. We have found, however, that when a Title IX case opens--particularly in cases of sexual assault--administrative support for health education programs is forced to stop because of the intensity of such cases. We hope to encourage the College to devote more resources to health education and Title IX cases in order to preserve and expand the health programming on campus while also ensuring complete, accurate, and fair investigations in difficult cases.
With this agenda, we believe that Davidson can make large inroads in addressing the health and wellness priorities of all of the student body. These initiatives will take us a step closer to being a College that fully and adequately looks out for the needs of all of its students. We are also eager to hear from you--please share your ideas with us!