The First-of-its-Kind Center Provides Students with On-Campus Access to Health, Wellness, and Counseling Services
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Albany, NY – The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and The State University of New York (SUNY) announced today the completion of a $2 million Health & Counseling Services Center on the University at Albany campus. The Center opened in time to welcome students for the spring semester. The relocation of the state-of-the-art facility to an on-campus location was part of a project to renovate Beverwyck and Schuyler Halls on the Dutch Quad. Together, the renovations totaled more than $33 million.
The project, which will provide students on-campus access to health, wellness, and psychological services, was financed with low-cost, tax-exempt bonds issued by DASNY as part of its SUNY Dormitory Facilities Program.
“DASNY is proud to partner with SUNY and deliver this truly exceptional quality care facility, the first of its kind to be completed on a SUNY campus,” said Reuben R. McDaniel, III, Acting DASNY President and CEO. “Our design and construction teams are at the forefront of creating healthy, meaningful spaces to empower students and help them in achieving academic success. DASNY is pleased to be a part of such a forward-thinking project. The University at Albany’s Health and Counseling Services will serve as a model for other campuses across the state.”
“Ensuring the wellness of our students continues to be a leading priority for SUNY, and this new building will enable our UAlbany clinicians to better meet the diverse and immediate health needs of our campus community.” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “Our successful partnership with DASNY is resulting in a top-notch facility that delivers quality health care, so our students can thrive on campus and beyond.”
“The Health and Counseling Services Center is emblematic of UAlbany’s strong conviction that students’ health and well-being is key to their success,” said University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. “This new, accessible, and state-of-the-art facility not only brings responsive medical and psychological services to where our students live and learn, but it will also provide them a wide range of holistic resources and training using evidence-based practices. I would like to thank DASNY and SUNY for their support in making this beautiful center possible, and congratulate UAlbany’s facilities team and our excellent staff for their amazing work in bringing this much-needed facility to life.”
The Health and Counseling Services Center features provider offices, exam and triage rooms, a laboratory, on-site pharmacy, and nurse’s station, as well as areas for workshops such as a napping class to help students improve their sleep quality. Other amenities include a kitchen and break room for staff, a meditation room, and a large group room complete with media capability for use during presentations and training sessions.
Finishes throughout the Center feature natural colors such as blue, green, gray, and brown to promote a calming atmosphere for students, visitors, and staff.
The new Health and Counseling Services Center will maintain some of UAlbany’s nationally recognized programs, including mental health promotion and suicide prevention initiatives and the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. The Middle Earth program is entering its fifth decade and provides peer counseling and hotline services to students struggling with drug and alcohol issues, relationship concerns, and eating disorders. Students will also continue to receive medical, sexual, and gynecological health services from highly trained clinicians in a confidential and supportive environment.
About DASNY
Founded in 1944, DASNY – the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York – is New York State’s capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond portfolio of more than $56 billion as of December 31, 2019. DASNY is also a prolific public builder with a construction pipeline of more than 1,000 projects valued at approximately $7.6 billion as of November 30, 2019. To learn more about DASNY, visit www.dasny.org.
About The State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, with 64 college and university campuses located within 30 miles of every home, school, and business in the state. As of Fall 2018, more than 424,000 students were enrolled in a degree program at a SUNY campus. In total, SUNY served 1.4 million students in credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education and community outreach programs in the 2017-18 academic year. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York and its students and faculty make significant contributions to research and discovery, contributing to a $1.6 billion research portfolio. There are 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.
About the University at Albany
A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, public health, health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare, and sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
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