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We’re Here for You: Resources for Health & Wellness on Campus

April 16, 2020

Dear Students,

We are reaching out to remind you that the staff and faculty at Rutgers University remain committed to supporting you in and out of the classroom! Especially during these unique times, maintaining our health and wellness is very important. We have some exciting news – virtual medical and counseling visits, workshops, and other activities are here for you and new ones are being developed every week!

Specifically, information contained in this communication focuses on services available to you in the following areas: medical, counseling, health education, recreational, and sexual and interpersonal violence. These services are available to you now while you are away from campus or still residing with us.

We would also like to reiterate the importance of practicing social distancing. We all miss the vibrancy of our campus community, but it is imperative that we all work together to flatten the curve.

Medical Services
The Hurtado Health Center on the College Avenue Campus is open, but with limited staff and hours. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm.

  • All regular services, such as physicals, sexual and reproductive health, and management of acute and chronic conditions, continue to be available. For a full list of services, visit health.rutgers.edu/medical.
  • Most services are provided via phone consultations and telehealth video visits. Limited in-person appointments are also available when deemed necessary. The laboratory is open when blood work is required.
  • Use of the Patient Portal to schedule appointments at Hurtado is currently suspended. To schedule an appointment, call 848-932-7402.
  • Please note: Calls from Student Health may appear as a blocked number, so please set your phone to allow blocked numbers and set up your voicemail to allow for messages.

Experiencing Fever or Respiratory Symptoms?
Regardless of whether you use Rutgers Student Health or another healthcare provider, if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath), or feel you’ve been exposed, make sure to call your healthcare provider for consultation. Do not just show up to your provider’s office.

Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Programs and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
Although all CAPS locations are physically closed, services, including counseling, Let’s Talk, and, soon group session are available remotely via phone consultations and telehealth video visits.

  • Use of the Patient Portal to schedule appointments with CAPS is currently suspended. To schedule an appointment, call 848-932-7884, and leave a voicemail with your full name, phone number, and RU ID. Your message will be returned within 1 hour during regular business hours.
  • Please note: CAPS will return your call from a blocked number, so please set your phone to allow blocked numbers and set up your voicemail to allow for messages.
  • Check your Rutgers Portal for messages from CAPS staff.
  • ProtoCall, a phone-based service for students in crisis when CAPS is closed will continue to be available. Call the main CAPS number, 848-932-7884, and follow the prompts.
  • CAPS also offers virtual workshops on topics such as mindfulness meditation, yoga and “Coping with COVID-19 Stress” on a drop-in basis with no sign up required! Find a list of offerings at health.rutgers.edu/virtual-resources.

An additional resource is the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). Information can be found out gsapp.rutgers.edu/gsapp-guidelines-for-covid-19/mental-health-support.

Health Outreach, Promotion and Education (HOPE)
HOPE is creating a variety of workshops and videos for release in mid-April. HOPE’s physical office is closed.

  • Live mini health and wellness workshops and quick-tip videos will be available on emotional wellness, alcohol and other drugs and sexual and reproductive health.
  • Offerings will be listed at health.rutgers.edu/virtual-resources.

Stay connected with Student Health (Medical, CAPS, and HOPE) on social media: @RUStudentHealth on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find more information at health.rutgers.edu/RSH-operating-status.

The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA)
Although VPVA’s physical office is closed the hotline, 848-932-1181, remains operational and will continue to provide 24/7 crisis response for anyone in the Rutgers community who needs it. Counseling and advocacy services are being offered by phone.

Stay connected with VPVA on social media: @RUVPVA on Facebook and Instagram and @RU_VPVA on Twitter. Find more information at vpva.rutgers.edu/vpva-operating-status.

Recreation
All Recreation locations are physically closed but services are being provided remotely.
Virtual Programs and Services Include:

  • Free on-demand and live fitness and wellness classes including yoga, Pilates, RU Fit-30, Bodycombat®, and GRIT®
  • Free 6-week virtual walking/running challenge
  • Free one-on-one Skype appointments with the Exercise is Medicine – On Campus coach
  • Online personal training
  • Rutgers students may also participate in the National 2020 Recreation Movement with 40 other universities
  • eSports and virtual trivia

Find more information on the Rutgers RURec2Go app available from the App Store and at recreation.rutgers.edu/status.

Stay connected with Recreation on social media: @RURec on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

We look forward to seeing our campus full of activity once again. Until then, stay safe and remember to practice social distancing, wear face masks in public, wash your hands frequently, and invest in your own self-care.

 

In health,

Melodee Lasky, MD
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs – Health & Wellness

Salvador B. Mena, PhD
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs