Wellness Center (Health & Counseling Services)

Phone: (315) 792-7172

Fax: (315) 792-7371

Email: wellnesscenter@sunypoly.edu

Wildcat Wellness Student Portal: myhealth.sunypoly.edu

SUNY Poly values the health and well-being of all students as well as the campus community. The Wellness Center features Health and Counseling Services that support and enhance the educational experience for SUNY Poly students.

The Wellness Center is currently (temporarily) located in Oriskany Hall, Suite B while the Campus Center is being renovated. Office hours during the academic semesters are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. There are no clinical or counseling services offered during the summer months.

The Wellness Center operations are supported by the student health service fee which provides students comprehensive and confidential health and counseling support on campus and through tele-health options as appropriate.

The Wellness Center is staffed by licensed and experienced medical and mental health professionals.

Health Services:

Sick, injury and preventative care is provided by licensed medical professionals in a confidential environment. Appointments are recommended; however, walk-ins will be scheduled accordingly.

Medical Services:

Medical evaluation, treatment & follow-up care
GYN examinations, birth control, STD testing, etc.
Laboratory services: On campus – rapid strep, mono, HIV, etc., Off-campus – nationally recognized laboratory pick-up service of specimens for testing
Medications – prescription & over the counter
Medical Equipment/Supplies– crutches, wheelchair, bandages, slings, etc.
Self-Care Station – band-aids, cough drops, lip balm, tissues, hot/cold packs, etc.
Referrals – to private practitioners, community agencies, etc.

Wellness Promotion Services:

Wellness Promotion Services provides educational resources and initiatives to students and the campus community on how to reduce high-risk behaviors and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Wellness Promotion focuses on continuing education, prevention-based initiatives and opportunities for behavior modification to improve personal health and place value on well-being as a necessity to learn, be productive and contribute to society in everyday life. Services provided include:

Health and wellness educational literature and resources
Alcohol and other drug prevention and education
Health coaching with necessary referrals (sleep, stress management, nutrition, sexual health, etc.)
Prevention focused programs such as flu vaccination clinics and a Wellness Fair
Smoking cessation assistance
Health/fitness classes and stress management initiatives such as therapeutic massage services and therapy dogs”

Counseling Services:

Mental health counseling services provide an important function in the mission of the Wellness Center as it can assist students with overcoming life challenges, enhancing academic success, promoting positive changes in behavior, providing unconditional support, developing healthy coping strategies, and improving overall mental well-being. Counseling Services are confidential and provided by licensed mental health counselors.

Tele-psychiatry services are also offered through SUNY Upstate Medical University Department of Psychiatry. The SUNY-STPN program provides remote assessment, treatment planning, short-term psychotherapy and initial medication management. All referrals for tele-psychiatric services are coordinated through the on-campus mental health counselors.

Short-term individual counseling is provided for psychological and emotional concerns such as adjustment, depression, stress, anxiety, relationship problems, family problems, low self-esteem, gender and or sexual identity
Crisis services for students in need of immediate assistance during business hours
Tele-counseling upon request for students residing in New York State
Group counseling offered upon request
Counselors serve as consultants to students, Faculty and Staff who have questions about mental health issues/general mental health questions and to provide advise/resources
Counselors are trained in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). These trainings are available to the Poly community for professional development and to increase knowledge on mental health and suicide prevention

Wellness Center Student Health Requirements and Insurance Information

Health Requirements to Attend SUNY Poly:
All students are required to provide the following health documents to the Wellness Center before August 1 for fall admission and January 1 for spring. Student athletes and nursing students have additional health requirements. Please refer to those respective departments for details.

Immunizations – Mandatory for all students registered for six (6) or more credits and all residential students. Non-compliant students will be de-registered pursuant to the directives of the law.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – NYS Health Law § 2165 requires all students provide documentation of immunity to MMR. Persons born prior to 1/1/57 are exempt from the MMR requirement.

Measles Documentation Required: Two dates of immunization no more than 4 days prior to the first birthday or date and results of positive measles titer or physician diagnosis of disease.
Mumps Documentation Required: Date of immunization no more than 4 days prior to the first birthday or date and results of positive mumps titer or physician diagnosis of disease.
Rubella Documentation Required: Date of immunization no more than 4 days prior to the first birthday or date and results of positive rubella titer.

Meningococcal Meningitis – NYS Health Law § 2167 requires students to provide the following documentation:

Proof of meningococcal immunization(s) given within the past 5 years OR

Completion of the Meningococcal Information Response Form indicating acknowledgement of meningococcal disease risks and refusal of the meningococcal meningitis immunization signed by the student (or student’s parent/guardian if under 18 years old). The Meningococcal Information Response Form is available on the SUNY Poly Wellness Center website and the Wildcat Wellness Student Health Portal at myhealth.sunypoly.edu

Health History and Physical Examination

All students taking 12 or more credits must provide a physical examination (with complete review of systems) completed and signed or stamped within the last 2 years by either a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. A physical exam is required for all part-time students that utilize services at the Wellness Center and all residential students. Any student under 18 must have the second page of the Health History and Physical form signed by a parent or legal guardian to provide authorization for medical care at the Wellness Center.

Medical Insurance

Domestic Students – SUNY Poly does not offer a University plan for domestic students but strongly encourages that all students have adequate health insurance coverage. For students needing assistance with obtaining health insurance please go to the NYS Official Plan Marketplace to shop for, compare and enroll in a health insurance plan.

For more information on the NY State Health Plan Marketplace: https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/

If you need additional assistance, Health Insurance Navigators are an excellent resource. https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/NavigatorDirectory

International Students – International Student Medical Insurance Policy

The State University of New York requires that all international students (on F1 or J1 Visas) entering the country for study or research, or any US student studying abroad in a SUNY sponsored program purchase the International Student Health Insurance policy. Medical insurance information is provided upon admission and students are automatically enrolled and billed.

F-1 students who are hired as research or graduate assistants by New York State or the Research Foundation may opt to purchase the state’s employee health insurance policy in lieu of the required SUNY International Student Health Insurance policy. Eligible students will be contacted by Human Resources to discuss their options once they are hired by the University.

Enrollment & Billing Questions
Contact the Bursar’s Office: bursar@sunypoly.edu | 315-792-7214

NYS Employee Health Plan Enrollment
Contact the Office of Human Resources: HR@sunypoly.edu | 315-792-7191