With a new location, new programs and new attitude, the UB Wellness Center has emerged as one of the chief beneficiaries of the recent renovations and reorganization in the Student Union.
Visitors to the Wellness Center will notice many changes as they walk into the new location at 114 Student Union. The center's main premise, however, has stayed the same, and even the white laminated poster promising "free chair massages" has made the move from the second floor.
Sharri Darrow, the center's director, said its major focus has expanded from simply stress management to include other facets of student health such as interpersonal relationships, drug and alcohol use, and diet and exercise.
To reflect this new emphasis, the Wellness Center has greatly expanded its existing operations. This year, it is organizing Life and Learning Workshops in yoga, meditation, stress management and relationship building. It is also hosting a variety of outdoor adventure activities including a paddling excursion, a bike ride and a walk.
As a part of Gender Week, the Wellness Center will sponsor "Hooking Up, Having Sex, Making Love: Multicultural Perspectives on College Students' Sexuality," a conference to be held in the Student Union Theater on Sept. 20. The panelists include both SUNY faculty and representatives from various women's rights and reproductive rights groups.
The center is also training peer educators: UB students who can help their peers lead healthier lifestyles. According to Darrow, Orientation Aides, Residential Aides and others in leadership positions are receiving similar training.
In addition to this three-pronged approach, the center offers a room with foot massage machines, soft lighting, and relaxing music.
Barbora Homolova, a sophomore business major, visited the Wellness Center after learning about it from a friend.
"(The Wellness Center) is a good place for relaxing after a busy day," Homolova said.
Darrow said she believes the center must address the constantly evolving health and wellness issues faced by students and that it must reach out to the student population.
"We have good attendance at every event we are sponsoring, but we need to be visible to more students," Darrow said.
Many students are still unaware of the center's existence.
"I can only guess (as to its function), but I don't know exactly what it does," said Matthew Barton, a freshman media study major.
Even upperclassmen are in the dark, and some confuse the Wellness Center with the ever-popular Commuter Lounge.
"I actually don't know where it is unless it's the room with the big TV and comfortable couches," said senior Vicky Fasick, a biological science major.
Despite its lack of publicity, Darrow is optimistic and confident that the center's wide array of workshops, conferences and services, including the free massages, will attract attention and eventually make it truly relevant to students at UB.
"This is a big university with many programs and services. We sometimes tend to get lost in the barrage of information," Darrow said.
"However, we are trying to deal with (this problem) by partnering with other programs, departments, student clubs and organizations," she added. "One example is the upcoming conference on student sexuality, which we are cosponsoring with Student Multicultural Affairs, School of Public Health, and Institute for Research and Education on Women and Gender."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
