New York, NY 10003 P: 212 443 1000 health.center@nyu.edu
May 15, 2014 Dear Parents,
The Student Health Center (SHC) welcomes your student to New York University! The mission of the SHC is to enhance the health and wellbeing of NYU students in support of their learning and success. We are dedicated to supporting all of our students and hope that we can count on your assistance in
providing your son or daughter with a healthy experience at NYU.
This letter and the enclosed documents provide critical information that will help support your son or daughter’s adjustment to New York University and New York City.
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Access to the Student Health Center while at NYU
All matriculated students have access to basic primary care, women’s health services, and short-term counseling and wellness services at no cost or significantly reduced cost at the NYU Student Health Center (SHC). This open access model ensures that NYU students have few barriers for receiving routine and acute care while on campus. In addition, the Student Health Center offers health care in more than 12 specialties including psychiatry, dermatology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics. For more information about the comprehensive services offered, please visit our website at nyu.edu/shc.
We know that for many students, making appointments to see health care professionals off campus can be daunting given the demands of academic life and the complexities of the New York City health care system. Our convenient campus location and extended hours make the Student Health Center a preferred option for receiving health care.
Another important service at NYU available to parents who become concerned about the health of their son or daughter is the Wellness Exchange Hotline - (212) 443-9999. This hotline is staffed by mental health professionals and is accessible 24/7. The hotline is available to anyone – students, parents, and friends – concerned about your son or daughter while at NYU. We also have mental health professionals on call 24 hours a day should you or someone you know need this type of assistance on behalf of your son or daughter.
In addition, we are available to provide financial counseling to assist your son or daughter if they experience financial hardship caused by large medical expenses. Financial counseling can be arranged by contacting our Insurance and Billing Services at (212) 443-1010.
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Importance of Obtaining Health Insurance
Although the Student Health Center (SHC) provides students with excellent access to primary care, women’s health and short-term counseling care, it does not cover all of one’s potential medical needs. Therefore, it is critical that your son or daughter have adequate health insurance coverage for
medications, laboratory and diagnostic tests, specialist care, hospitalization and other necessary health-related services.
In order to ensure that students maintain health insurance with both medical and mental health benefits in New York City, most students are enrolled automatically in one of the NYU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plans as part of the course registration process.
Please review the enclosed Student Health Insurance Program 2014-2015 Guide, which describes the NYU Sponsored Student Health Insurance Plans and how your son or daughter can use the online system to change his/her enrollment option or waive these plans entirely. For additional information, please visit nyu.edu/health/insurance or contact Student Health Insurance Services at (212) 443-1020 or health.insurance@nyu.edu.
Important: Whether enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Program or maintaining alternate health insurance coverage, all matriculated students have access to a comprehensive set of medical and mental health services, many at no cost or reduced cost, at the Student Health Center.
--- Dental Care
The NYU Student Health Insurance Plans do not offer dental benefits beyond those mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which includes one examination and cleaning per year for those under age 19. The NYU College of Dentistry’s Dental Faculty Practice does, however, offer Stu-Dent, a prepaid dental plan that offers high quality, cost-effective dental care to students. For more information, please review the enclosed Stu-Dent pamphlet, contact Stu-Dent at (212) 443-1313, or visit
nyu.edu/dental/stu-dent.html. --- Tuition Insurance
Tuition insurance is also available and is recommended to protect against unanticipated financial consequences if a student must request a leave of absence because of physical and/or psychological illness. For more information, please contact A.W.G. Dewar, Inc., (617) 774-1555 or collegerefund.com. There are important exclusions, so please read the policy very carefully.
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Making a Successful Transition – A Parent’s Role
Coming to NYU is a wonderful educational opportunity, but new academic and social experiences may lead students to experience episodes of stress. During these times, students may need the assistance of medical and mental health professionals. In particular, students who are experiencing emotional or physical difficulties, or who have experienced such issues in the past, benefit from ongoing professional assistance. We have witnessed firsthand that students who arrange for this kind of support prior to their arrival on campus are better prepared to take full advantage of their educational experience.
Although studying at NYU is a new beginning, it is important that students continue any mental health counseling or medical treatment while away from home (and continue to take any medication they may already be taking). We would like to assist your son or daughter in connecting with the appropriate medical professionals. In order to do this, we need to know more about your son or daughter’s medical history.
As a parent, you can take important steps to enhance the successful transition of your son/daughter to college life. If your son or daughter’s medical history includes a chronic medical condition or treatment by a psychotherapist and/or psychiatrist due to struggles with depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, alcohol and/or other substance abuse, please let us know so that we may assist your son or daughter in connecting with specialized support services prior to the start of the semester. Some of these services may be available at the Student Health Center or may be provided by a local professional close to campus or where your son or daughter resides. The enclosed directory, Health and Mental Health Resources at NYU, explains more about the services NYU offers.
Feel free to contact the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 or email wellness.exchange@nyu.edu if you need further assistance in clarifying what steps to take to prevent health and mental health difficulties
prior to the start of the semester; if you become aware that something is wrong; that your son or daughter may be in need of help. The Wellness Exchange is ready to assist and respond to your questions and concerns and help your son or daughter reach their full potential at NYU.
In an emergency situation, we instruct students to call 911 and NYU Public Safety at (212) 998-2222 to get the immediate assistance they need. If you are aware of an emergency involving your son or
daughter, parents living in New York City should phone 911 and NYU Public Safety. For those outside of the NYC area, including parents of students living abroad, NYU Public Safety can be reached 24 hours a day at (212) 998-2222.
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Other Ways to Keep in Touch with What is Going on at the University
You may want to consider joining the Parent listserv, sponsored by the NYU Student Resource Center. This one-way listserv provides email updates on important deadlines, parent-related happenings, campus news, health alerts, and the Parent Helpline Newsletter (published several times a year). You can
subscribe to the Parent listserv at nyu.edu/src/parent.family.resources/subscribe.html.
We also invite you to view one of our Parent Webinars that will focus on a number of topics to help you understand the services provided and help your son or daughter in making the transition to life in New York City and at New York University.
To view our presentations please visit nyu.edu/shc/parents. ---
Health Requirements
NYU requires that all incoming undergraduates complete several health requirements: • New York State Mandated Immunization Documentation
• NYU Student Health History Questionnaire • AlcoholEdu® for College
New York State Mandated Immunization Documentation
Please read the enclosed New York State/NYU Health Requirements and Instruction Sheet for
information regarding completion of New York State mandated immunization requirements as there are strict requirements and deadlines that, if not met, can affect your son or daughter’s eligibility to attend class.
NYU Health History Questionnaire
The information provided by completing the enclosed health history questionnaire is critical in helping us understand the health care needs of your son or daughter so that we can proactively offer treatment and/or referral planning to ease the adjustment process.
Additionally, if there are specific health, mental health, or other concerns about the transition to life at NYU, please encourage your son or daughter to indicate those concerns to us on the form. Please be as forthcoming as possible — the more information we have, the better positioned we are to help if a problem develops during the transition.
Alcohol and Other Drug Education
New York University is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment that is free of alcohol and substance abuse and that complies with New York State and local laws. NYU views the abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, and use of illicit drugs as antithetical to the pursuit of educational excellence and to the realization of one’s full potential as a student and responsible member of the community.
Accordingly, the University takes its obligation to proactively address the issue of alcohol and substance abuse very seriously. Students are required to complete the two-part, three-hour online course entitled AlcoholEdu® for College. You are welcome to view a sample of the AlcoholEdu® course in August via the health requirements website at nyu.edu/health/requirements.
Please review the enclosed document An Important Message to Parents about Students and Alcohol Use
that underscores NYU’s desire to partner with you around the important issue of alcohol and other drug use. If you need help talking to your son or daughter about these important issues, please do not hesitate to contact the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 where health care professionals are available to consult on these issues. We can put you in touch with staff both in the U.S. and at our sites abroad who can answer any question you or your son or daughter may have.
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We look forward to welcoming your son or daughter to campus and partnering with them in their health care throughout their NYU career.
Best wishes,
Carlo Ciotoli, M.D., MPA
Associate Vice President for Student Health Executive Director of the Student Health Center New York University
Student Health Center 726 Broadway, 3rd
& 4th Floors New York, NY 10003 P: 212 443 1000 health.center@nyu.edu
An Important Message to Parents About Students and Alcohol Use
NYU is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment in which your son or daughter can thrive while
obtaining the best education possible. One of the most widely publicized health and safety issues on U.S.
campuses is the practice of “binge” or “high-risk” drinking, which is drinking to intoxication. This issue is also
becoming more common at the high school level nationally. There are numerous harms and tragedies associated
with binge drinking such as injury, violence, alcohol poisoning, and instances of unwanted and/or unprotected
sex. These are realities that campuses deal with on a daily basis.
The NYU Wellness Exchange, Student Health Center and Health Promotion office work closely with campus and
community partners to develop highly visible programs that encourage students to make safer, smarter choices
about alcohol use. We also strongly support students who choose not to drink.
The cornerstone of our efforts is the three-hour, two-part online course called AlcoholEdu
®for College that all
incoming, first-year students are required to complete. The course provides students with information about high
risk drinking behaviors and associated harms, including tools for planning and hosting safer social gatherings.
Your son or daughter will receive an email in early August with more detailed information and instructions and
we ask your support in encouraging compliance.
Part 1 of the course will be accessible to students for several weeks starting in early August. The deadline for
completing Part 1 of AlcoholEdu
®will be forwarded to your son or daughter as part of the e-mail notification of
course accessibility. Further instructions regarding completion dates for Part 2 will be e-mailed to your son or
daughter 30-45 days after the completion of Part 1.
Please read the other side of this document that underscores NYU’s desire to partner with you around this
important issue. You are welcome to view a sample of the AlcoholEdu
®course which you can access in August at
nyu.edu/health/requirements.
Part 1 Notification:
Timeline of course accessibility and deadlines will be
emailed to student in early August.
Part 2 Notification:
Will be emailed to student 30-45 days after completion of Part 1.
Please see reverse side.
Educate Yourself and Your Son or Daughter
about Alcohol Issues on Campus
The goal of New York University is to foster an environment where students remain safe and in good health. The misuse of alcohol can impair judgment, alter their decision-making, and possibly put them in danger. Therefore this is to address the global student that when you come here the laws are different, although local laws outside the United States may allow for the purchase and consumption of alcohol below the age of 21, for the purposes of maximizing educational excellence and improving safety, NYU policy prohibits the use of alcohol on campus for those under 21. NYU also does not tolerate the use of any illegal drugs. See the Resource section below for links to NYU alcohol and other drug policies.
MYTH: “Everyone drinks in college.”
People engaging in a particular behavior – such as high-risk drinking – are often much more visible than those not engaging in that behavior. If your son or daughter chooses not to drink or to do so moderately, stress that there are many like-minded peers at NYU and that the Wellness Exchange and the Health Promotion office will help to connect them.
Encourage them to consider joining the Socializing without Substances (SWOS) listserv found on the Student Health Center website under Health Promotion office, Programs and Events.
Initiate a Dialogue about Alcohol and Other Drugs
Participation by parents in campus community efforts to educate students around alcohol use is key. You are the primary influence in your son or daughter’s life.
Talk to your son or daughter directly and explicitly about your expectations and experiences with:
• Drinking and other drug use
• Drinking and sexual decision making, including having sex with someone who has been drinking
• Balancing studies and social life
The first six weeks of college is a very high-risk time for drinking for first year students. We encourage parents to call, write, or email frequently. Some questions you may want to ask are:
• How are you doing? What do you do to relieve the stress? • What is the party scene like? (If your son or daughter
indicates that “everyone drinks,” or if you think that he/she is drinking, pursue the issue. Reinforce your academic and social expectations.)
• Did you receive your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) • Do you know the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Being on the CUSP:
Cold, clammy, or pale skin
Unconscious or unable to be wakened
Slowed or irregular breathing
Puking/vomiting while passed out • What is your “safe limit” for drinking?
• How do you know when you’ve had enough to drink? • What kinds of activities that do not involve drinking are
available on or off-campus?
Know What Risk Reduction is and Encourage Your Son
or Daughter to Practice It.
There are differences between abstaining from drinking, low-risk drinking, and high-risk drinking.
Abstaining From Drinking is the Safest Choice. Low-risk drinking involves:
• Thinking about whether or not you will drink and what you will drink before a party or other event
• Eating a meal before drinking
• Drinking no more than one standard-sized drink per hour* • Always knowing what you are drinking
• Knowing how to keep blood alcohol concentration within safer limits
• Alternating alcohol-free drinks throughout the evening • Knowing how you will get home safely before you go out
* 1 drink equals: 12 oz. beer or; 4 oz. wine or; 1.5 oz. liquor
High-risk drinking is:
• Chugging, drinking games, shots, drinking anything out of a punch bowl, trough, hose, or funnel
• Drinking to get drunk (intoxicated)
• Not knowing what is in your glass or leaving it unattended • Mixing alcohol with medications or illegal drugs
• Drinking to blackout (memory loss)
• Becoming separated from friends while intoxicated • Driving after drinking or riding with someone who is
under the influence
View the NYU Policy on Substance Abuse and Alcoholic Beverages at:
nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/substance-abuse-and-alcoholic-beverages.html
College Students and Alcohol Use:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
collegedrinkingprevention.gov; rethinkdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
On-Campus Resources at NYU:
NYU Wellness Exchange
726 Broadway, 4th Floor, Suite 402 (212) 443-9999
nyu.edu/999
wellness.exchange@nyu.edu
Counseling and Wellness Services
726 Broadway, 4th Floor, Suite 471 (212) 998-4780
nyu.edu/counseling wellness.exchange@nyu.edu
Health Promotion
726 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Suite 352 (212) 443-1234
nyu.edu/health/promotion health.promotion@nyu.edu
Some information in this publication has been adapted from the Century Council, the University of Oregon, the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, the University of Minnesota, and The University of California, Santa Cruz.
