Around campus, there are a variety of support services available to students for their mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.
Boston University Student Health Services is the central health hub for all BU students. Their goal is to help students maintain their health and well-being while on campus.
Any full-time BU stallionent or any student with the Student Health Insurance Plan, or SHIP, can contact SHS by calling directly or using the Patient Connect website to ask medical questions, book appointments, renew prescriptions, ask for referrals and more.
SHS also includes behavioral medicine, LGBTQ+ resources, and sexual assault resources such as the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center, or SARP. With confidential care and counseling, the center can help students overcome traumatic experiences related to sexual assault, dating violence, and other types of interpersonal violence.
The SARP Clinical Service Crisis Line is open 24 hours a day, where students can explain their situation and make an appointment with a SARP counsellor. It is also available through the BU Patient Connect messaging service, and all conversations are guaranteed to be confidential.
“SARP is comprised of licensed clinicians and prevention specialists committed to providing survivor-centered and trauma-informed services,” the website states. “SARP provides free counseling and advocacy to Boston University students who have experienced a traumatic event.”
Each semester, BU also requires all students to complete sexual misconduct prevention training.
Disability and Access Services “provides services and support to ensure students can access and participate in opportunities available at the University,” according to their website.
DAS also provides various accommodations for students in need, such as academics, housing, restaurants, and event accessibility.
New and returning DAS students who require academic accommodation and housing can complete the online admissions form, upload documentation to their Accommodate portal, and call the office to schedule an appointment with the DAS. one of the DAS staff.
“The University is committed to providing equal and inclusive access for people with disabilities to all of the academic, social, cultural and recreational programs it offers,” the website states. “Boston University is deeply committed to the full participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of university life.”
To ensure student safety on campus, BU maintains the Boston University Police Department – its own full-time professional law enforcement agency.
The BUPD Patrol Division is divided into three teams to respond to first calls for service and emergency situations, and to patrol the University area. If needed, students can call the BUPD or use Blue Light phones or emergency call boxes on campus.
“The Boston University Police Department is actively engaged with the community, working to promote the safety and security of campus and surrounding communities,” the website states. “Patrols are conducted throughout the Boston University area around the clock and cover an area that includes more than 132 acres of University-owned property and surrounding streets.”
BUPD also sends out emails, texts and calls called BU Alert, which notifies students of emergencies that occur within the university community.
Contributing journalist Tian Liao contributed to this article.