The Daily Plan-it / Dean of Students Blog, Columbia J-school

Greetings from Alice!

Congratulations on finishing the semester! As the end of the academic year approaches, you may have questions about the programs and services available to you over the summer. If you’re graduating, you may want to know which resources are available for you as a new alum. Check out the information and resources below for answers:!

Alice! Health Promotion is here for you year round!
Whether you’re coming back next fall or are a new alum, you can continue to access great programs like CU Move (stay up-to-date with physical activity tips and tools), A!sleep (take a sleep assessment to improve your Zzzzzzs), and Go Ask Alice! (find answers to life’s persistent questions). Did you know we are on Facebook? That’s right, you can be friends with Alice At Columbia, a fan of CU Move, Stressbusters, and Go Ask Alice! Let’s stay in touch, shall we?!

Medical Services and Counseling over the summer
Medical Services and Counseling and Psychological Services remain open over the summer. Summer hours may shift. Check out the Columbia Health website for up-to-date hours.!

Helpful Resources:
Alice! Health Promotion
Columbia Health
Student Insurance

Related Q&As from Go Ask Alice!
Immunizations needed for travel abroad?
Looming student loans = emotional distress!
Health insurance options after college
After graduation, how do I find a doctor?< br>
Scared about graduation
Love + graduation = anxiety!

Congratulations to those of you who are completing your studies this term! Have a great summer!!

Alice! Health Promotion Programbr>
108 Wien Hall
alice@columbia.edu!

The new 2013 NYC Bike Maps are in. The new maps include NEW bike lanes added, bike shops, safety tips and more!

You can pick them up at the Public Safety Office at both the Morningside & Medical Center campuses:

Morningside Campus
Low Library Room 111 24 hrs

Medical Center Campus
650 West 168 Street, Black Building Room 109 24 hrs

As you may already know, Columbia Health is redesigning its website, health.columbia.edu.

We invite you to take an early peek at the new Health site. From May 7 to May 9, feedback sessions are open to all full- or part-time Columbia students on the Morningside campus.

Join us for snacks and refreshments and tell us what you think! All participants will receive a Barnes and Nobles gift card at the end of the session too.

RSVP to one of three sessions by completing this brief online form. A confirmation will be sent to you within 3 business days.

Questions? Contact pt2245@columbia.edu or acd2150@columbia.edu.

Sincerely,

Columbia Health

Over the years, Columbians have been very generous in donating blood for various causes and, in the process, have helped save the lives of many people along the way – from trauma and cancer patients, to accident / burn victims, at-risk infants, and those with blood disorders. It is because of this generosity of volunteer blood donors in our Columbia community, that patients and their families do not have to shoulder the burden of replacing blood when needed.

This spring, we’re dedicating our blood drive campaign to Columbians everywhere who either know someone, or are themselves suffering from a traumatic illness requiring a steady supply of blood. Blood must be available for anyone who needs it; giving blood is a community responsibility, and people like us are counting on people like us to ensure a ready supply.

Won’t you join us? You will be helping as many as THREE people who are fighting for their health and their lives – just by your single donation.

Register today: https://drm.nybloodcenter.org/PublicScheduler/GroupWelcome.aspx?Group=07529

Tuesday, April 16
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lerner Hall Auditorium

Thursday, April 25
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Armand Hammer Health Sciences Center, CUMC
4th Floor, Riverview Lounge

12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Morningside Heights
Low Library Rotunda

Monday, April 29
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Columbia Business School
URIS Hall – Hepburn Lounge

Weekend Drive
Saturday, April 20
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Busmobile
College Walk – near Broadway

Sponsored by the President’s Office, Office of Government and Community Affairs, and the New York Blood Center.

Health Services at Columbia presents “Enhancing Your Relationship: A Workshop for Couples.”

Date: April 16, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT
Location: Lerner Hall, 8th Floor, CPS Conference Room
Contact: For further information regarding this event, please contact Yaniv Phillips by sending email to py2120@columbia.edu.
Info: Click Here to Visit Website.

Do you already have a strong foundation for your committed relationship, but want to see it get even better? This might be the workshop for you!

This hands on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship. Topics include:

• Understanding relational expectations and beliefs
• How to nurture positives in the relationship
• How to improve problem solving ability and communications skills

Subsequent workshops will be Tuesdays, 4/23, 4/30, & 5/7 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Students must attend the first meeting and are expected to attend all 4 meetings.

For: Couples Only (one member of the couple must be a Columbia student who has paid the health services fee).

To reserve a spot or for more information, please email: Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu or Aoife Villafrance-West at saw19@columbia.edu.

Recently you should have received an invitation from Columbia Health to participate in the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) survey. Completing this survey is an important way for our colleagues in Columbia Health to better understand student experiences. Survey results can be used to help them provide greater support for our diverse student body. A broad range of health-related decisions, including policy efforts, programming, and resources, can be developed to help meet your needs, and it is important that your voices are heard in this process.

Please take the time to fill it out and submit the survey as soon as possible. To access the survey, please follow the link in the e-mail you received. If you have already deleted the e-mail, a reminder will be sent shortly with the link.

Your participation in this study will be kept strictly confidential. Please read the full consent form.

As a reminder, once you complete the survey, you will be included in the drawing for our many prizes, including travel vouchers to an airline of your choice and gift certificates to the Columbia University Bookstore.

Should you have any questions about the research, please contact Dr. Michael McNeil (212-854-1662, alicesurvey@columbia.edu).

If you wish to talk about any health concerns you have, please contact Columbia Health at www.health.columbia.edu or 212-854-2284.

If you have already completed the survey, thank you!

Do You Procrastinate? What can you do about it? Health Services at Columbia is hosting a Procrastination Workshop.

This hands-on, sequential 4-session* workshop will:

• Address procrastination and time management difficulties which affect your studies and your life
• Enable you to pinpoint the problem and address its’ solutions

Mondays, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22 & 4/29
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor

To reserve a spot or for more information, please e-mail Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu.

*Students must attend the first meeting and are expected to attend all 4 meetings.

Columbia University’s Department of Public Safety has compiled some useful crime prevention Spring Break tips:

It is imperative that students exercise caution, especially when traveling abroad for Spring Break. Concerns over post-election violence in Kenya and the continuous possibility of political and social unrest in Egypt have prompted the State Department to issue Travel Alerts for those countries. Note that Travel Alerts are issued when short-term conditions pose a significant risk to the safety and security of U.S. citizens. Travel Warnings are issued to advise Americans to avoid travel to countries where long-term, protracted conditions make a country dangerous or unstable. Several countries meet that criteria, including Mexico, a popular spring break destination. And while resorts and tourist destinations generally do not see the level of violent crime that plagues border region cities and states such as Tijuana, Ciudad de Juarez, and Nuevo Leon, you should be aware that incidents of crime and violence can occur anywhere.

The Columbia University Public Safety Department urges students to do diligent research before venturing out of the country. Following a few simple safety precautions can help make your Spring Break adventure a more enjoyable experience. (Check out the U.S. Department of State’s website listed below. You can find valuable information, such as what to do if you are the victim of a crime or lose your passport. You can also sign up to receive Travel Alerts via Facebook and Twitter).

Before leaving:

• Secure your dorm room or apartment.
• Unplug all appliances.
• Make sure all windows are closed and locked.
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone back home.

Use the buddy system:

There is safety in numbers and it is best to do things as a group. Try to have at least three members of your group with you at all times when leaving your hotel. Don’t leave a friend behind. If you go out together, come home together!

Traveling:

• If traveling abroad, check the U.S. State Department’s Travel Alerts and Warnings at: www.travel.state.gov
• Conduct an Internet search of the local Newspapers / Crime Stats / Trends of the area you will be visiting.
• Respect your host country and its people by following their laws and customs.
• Practice the country’s language ahead of time. Bring a Language dictionary to help.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Prepaid Travel Money Cards are best.
• Leave credit cards and ATM cards locked in a secure place.
• Keep track of your baggage and personal belongings at all times.

Drinking:

If you are of legal drinking age and you do decide to drink, do so responsibly. Reports indicate that 98-percent of spring breakers who suffered injuries were intoxicated at the time. Note also that drinking to intoxication leaves a person more susceptible to becoming the victim of a sexual assault or other serious crime.

• Keep your drink in sight at all times. If you must leave an unfinished drink to go to the bathroom or dance floor, discard it and purchase a new one when you return. Leaving a drink unattended gives anyone (including bar personnel) the opportunity to tamper with it.
• DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Use a designated driver or choose public transportation.
• The most important spring break safety tip we can give you is to ask you to use common sense. Trust your instincts; if someone, or someplace, doesn’t feel right to you, chances are it isn’t.

With these safety tips in mind, stay safe, and enjoy your sun-filled spring break! Please see short video on a special report from CNN on Spring Break: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UhzYX9ubZQ

To coincide with the National Sleep Foundation’s annual week-long campaign to celebrate the health benefits of sleep March 3-10, 2013, Alice! is sharing advice on sleep:

At Alice! we understand the stresses and pressures associated with this busy time in the semester as well as the upcoming Spring Break festivities that many of you are planning. One of the most healthful ways to maximize relaxation and fun during Spring Break is to ensure that you maintain healthy sleep habits.

Sleep has many positive effects on health, well-being, and even your vacation….

Sleep:

• Promotes memory consolidation of what you study
• Effects processing speed so that you can learn faster
• Makes you feel refreshed and ready for work or exams
• Boosts immune health
• Helps maintain energy balance, so you can fully enjoy time off from school
• Promotes positive coping with stress
• Improves athletic performance by enhancing motor skills
• May help you to pay attention in class
• Is a cheap, easy way to look and feel better!

Did you know that Alice! has a website dedicated to sleep?

The A!sleep website provides you with the opportunity to take a free on-line sleep assessment, which offers both tips on healthy sleep habits and instant personalized feedback on your sleep behaviors.

Also, we have updated our Resources to better provide you with the tools you need to manage your sleep routine.

Take a look at the Sleep Q&A archive from Go Ask Alice! for more information!

Enjoy Spring Break and good luck with the rest of the semester!

Sleep well,

Alice!

Columbia Health is providing FREE Flu Shots:

When: Tuesday, January 29th from 11am - 4pm
Where: Lerner Hall, Broadway Room

NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY!!! Get in and out with your CU ID.

Can’t attend this event? Visit www.health.columbia.edu/flu for more information.

Questions? Contact Columbia Health at 212-854-2284 or hsc@columbia.edu

The Office of Counseling and Psychological Services is offering a new Workshop Series.

This hands-on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship. Topics include:
o Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs
o How to Nurture the Positives in the Relationship
o How to Improve Problem Solving Ability and Communication Skills

When: Tuesdays, 11/20, 11/27, 12/4 & 12/11/12
What time? 5:30pm to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor
For: Couples only (one member of couple must be a Columbia student who has paid the health services fee)

To reserve a spot or for more information, please e-mail:
Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu or
Dr. Aoife Villafranca-West at saw19@columbia.edu

Dear Students,

Don’t know how to ask out that cute classmate in Biology? Is your mom
calling every Friday night to ask you about your grades? Having trouble in
class but not sure how to ask your professor for help? As students of
Columbia University, most of you naturally excel academically; however, time
spent in a classroom is only part of the college experience. Over the next
year, Alice! Health Promotion will be developing a new initiative, Rel@te,
which will address a variety of relationships experienced by students
ranging from relationships with parents, friends, roommates, partners,
teachers and more.

Do you have something to say about relationships? We are looking for
student volunteers to participate in hour-long discussions about
relationships on campus. These conversations will directly inform the
development of the Rel@te program and you’ll get a $15 Barnes & Noble
giftcard! To participate, please take two minutes to complete this
short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/relate. You can also
email us at al2758@columbia.edu to find out more information!

Thanks for your help!

Alice!

Counseling & Psychological Services would like to invite you to join the Procrastination Workshop

This hands-on, sequential 4-session* workshop will:

• address procrastination and time management difficulties which affect your studies and your life

• enable you to pinpoint the problem and address its’ solutions

When? Mondays, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12 & 11/19/12
What time? 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Where? Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Afred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor

To reserve a spot or for more information, please email Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu

* Students are expected to attend all 4 meetings.

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommend receiving the seasonal flu vaccine as the most effective way to protect yourself, family, friends, and colleagues from the flu.

Columbia Health is providing free flu shots to Columbia students, faculty, and staff at the following vaccination events:

Lerner I
Date: Tuesday, October 9
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Lerner Hall, Broadway Room

Lerner II
Date: Thursday, November 15
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Lerner Hall, Broadway Room

No appointments are necessary. Get in and out with your CUID!

If you are unable to attend this event, please visit one of our other flu vaccination events, or “flu fairs,” this fall. For a full listing of events, visit www.health.columbia.edu/flu. *

As an alternative to the flu fairs, you may get your flu shot at Medical Services in John Jay Hall. To schedule an appointment log on to https://secure.health.columbia.edu with your UNI and password or call (212) 854-7426.

Help spread the word and not the flu: share this with your Columbia friends, colleagues, and co-workers!

Please feel free to contact us with questions at (212) 854-2284.
Sincerely,
Columbia Health

* All flu fair locations are wheelchair accessible. If you require sign-language interpreting services to communicate with our health care providers, please contact Disability Services
(disability@columbia.edu). If you require large print or electronic information, please contact meb2112@columbia.edu or (212) 854-5818.

Greetings from Alice!
Happy spring! We are approaching that time in the semester when things can get a little (more) hectic. Alice! would like to share some information with you regarding strategies to ensure that stress does not interfere with the ability to achieve your personal and academic goals.

Here are two great resources made specifically for Columbia students:
v Stressbusters Support Network: This comprehensive guide highlights campus resources to help you cope with stress positively.

v Stressbust Yourself Toolkit: This toolkit lists six easy ways to relax yourself that can be done at any time.

Easy tips to help you relax:
· Make “to do” lists

· Spend time with friends/family

· Engage in physical activity

· Choose balanced meals; check out CU’s Guide to Healthier Eating

· Get good sleep to boost concentration; a good night’s rest will help you do your best

· Make a budget

· Get a back-rub from a Stressbuster

· Practice Yoga or meditation

· Stop by the Alice! office and grab a stress ball

· Take deep breaths

· Make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services to help gain some perspective or work through any issues you may be experiencing

Did you know that Alice! sponsors the Stressbusters program? On Mondays and Wednesdays during the semester, you can drop in to the following locations for a stress break and receive a brief neck and back rub.
Melt Away Mondays (1st & 3rd Mondays of the month): 7-8pm, Wallach Hall, 1st Floor Lounge
Wind Down Wednesdays (every week): 4-5pm, Wien Hall, 1st Floor Lounge

Look for Stressbuster events at other locations throughout the year. Check out the Stressbusters Page on Facebook and the Stressbusters website for more information.

Greetings student leaders.

The Student Health Advisory Committee of Columbia Health, or SHAC, invite you to join us for a feedback session related to the Columbia Health website. SHAC’s purpose is to enhance communication between students and Columbia Health – which includes Alice! Health Promotion, Counseling and Psychological Services, Disability Services, Medical Services, and Sexual Violence Response. During this meeting we hope to gather concrete suggestions for improving the site to better support your needs.

Here are the session details:

Date: Friday, March 23

Time: 4-6pm

Location: John Jay Lounge

Students’ feedback is important in this process, and we encourage you to share this invitation with your friends.

Space is limited, and snacks and refreshments will be served. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by e-mailing shac@columbia.edu

Thanks in advance and we hope to see you on March 23.

Do you already have a strong foundation for your committed relationship, but want to see it get even better? This might be the workshop for you!

Enhancing Your Relationship: A Workshop for Couples

This hands-on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship. Topics include:
• Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs
• How to Nurture the Positives in the Relationship
• How to Improve Problem Solving Ability and Communication Skills

When: Tuesdays, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24 & 5/1/12
What time? 5:30pm to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor
For: Couples only (one member of couple must be a Columbia student who has paid the health services fee)

To reserve a spot or for more information, please e-mail:
Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu or
Dr. Aoife Villafranca-West at saw19@columbia.edu

Do You Procrastinate? What Can You Do About It?

The Counseling & Psychological Services department may have the answer. The Procrastination Workshop.

This hands-on, sequential 4 session workshop will:

Address procrastination and time management difficulties which will affect your studies and your life

Enable you to pinpoint the problem and address it’s solutions

Where: Mondays, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2 & 4/9/12
What time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Where: Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor

To reserve a spot or for more information, please email: Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu

*Students must attend the first meeting and are expected to attend all 4 meetings.

Go Ask Alice!, a leading Internet resource supported by Columbia University that answers reader-generated questions ranging from acne to x-rays, debuts an updated website on January 17, 2012 at www.goaskalice.columbia.edu. Site enhancements enable readers to find information easily and quickly, and be a part of the conversation. Launched in 1993, Go Ask Alice! is one of the oldest Web sites to provide systematically researched, reliable, and culturally sensitive health information.

Among new features of the site are a redesigned navigation system and page layout, an expansion of site capabilities to allow more flexibility and engagement with readers, as well as an evolution of the site’s technology to meet current and future Web standards for disability access. In addition to maintaining our core anonymous health Q&A content, we are please to introduce new features, including:
• Mobile friendly version for smart phone users;
• Interactive quizzes;
• Robust social media integration;
• Rate this question;
• A new Health Information section to better present alerts, recalls, health in the news, and other core information; and
• Easier mechanisms for submitting questions, reader responses, comments, corrections, and rants & raves.

With intensive reader feedback, Go Ask Alice! was redesigned to streamline the way visitors navigate to new or archived health questions and answers and other related content. Information is now categorized in four sections: 1) browsing for questions by health topic; 2) directly receiving new Go Ask Alice! questions; 3) participating in health quizzes, polls, and other features; and 4) accessing health information and resources in one convenient location. The page layout and color palette were also upgraded for a cleaner and more approachable site that highlights Go Ask Alice!’s 18-year digital presence combined with contemporary branding.

Go Ask Alice! maintains its format as an anonymous question and answer site, but further engages users by enabling readers to rate or comment on any of the thousands of questions found in six broad health categories: alcohol & other drugs; emotional health; general health; nutrition and physical activity; relationships; and sexual and reproductive health.

Leveraging current technologies for social networking and sharing, readers can distribute Go Ask Alice! content on any of their preferred social platforms. The redesign incorporates a “Share” button listing social communities, including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, among others, and allows the site to expand into newer technologies further down the pipeline. Additionally, the site is redesigned to provide full Web accessibility to visitors with visual impairments.

Go Ask Alice! has more than 1.5 million visitors each month and contains thousands of health-related questions produced by Columbia Health, Alice! Health Promotion. This is the third major enhancement of the site. Go Ask Alice! is supported entirely by Columbia University and does not receive funding to promote specific products, nor does it accept advertising of any sort.

Greetings from Alice!

The rumors are true. The new expanded version of Go Ask Alice! is scheduled to launch with the start of the new academic term in January.
If you are not familiar with the site, please visit www.goaskalice.columbia.edu to learn about our efforts.

We are reaching out to see if you, as a student leader, are willing to be part of our initial launch promotion. Here are the details:

Each student leader will be provided with a Go Ask Alice! t-shirt (two designs, three color options). S/he will be expected to wear the shirt on January 17, 2012 (first day of classes). S/he will also be expected to wear the shirt up to 4 more times in the semester, with notes from us as to which are the preferred days. Each student will also be given a pair of the stylish Go Ask Alice! sunglasses (8 color choices).

If you are interested, please e-mail your name & uni to alice@columbia.edu .

On behalf of the team, thanks for your ongoing support and working with us to make Columbia a healthier place to live, work, and learn.

In health,
Alice!

Do you already have a strong foundation for your committed relationship, but want to see it get even better? This might be the workshop for you!

You have been invited to participate in the a workshop series hosted by the Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS) Department.

When: Tuesdays, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, & 12/13/11
What time? 5:45pm to 7:15 p.m.
Where: Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor
For: Couples only (one member of couple must be a Columbia student who has paid the health services fee)

This hands-on, sequential 4-session workshop will provide practical tools for couples who wish to strengthen their relationship.

Topics include:

Understanding Relational Expectations and Beliefs
How to Nurture the Positives in the Relationship
How to Improve Problem Solving Ability and Communication Skills

To reserve a spot or for more information, please e-mail:
Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu or
Dr. Aoife Villafranca-West at saw19@columbia.edu

At Alice! we acknowledge the stresses and pressures associated with this busy time in the semester. One of the most healthful ways to help positively cope with midterms and other pressures is to ensure that you maintain healthy sleep habits.
Sleep has many positive effects on health and well-being, but many college students report getting insufficient sleep each night. It’s necessary to develop good sleep habits in order to stay healthy and help your body and mind rest and recharge.

Sleep:
· Promotes memory consolidation of what you study
· Effects processing speed so that you can learn faster
· Makes you feel refreshed and ready for work or exams
· Boosts immune health
· Helps maintain energy balance
· Promotes positive coping with stress
· Improves athletic performance by enhancing motor skills
· May help you to pay attention in class
· Is a cheap, easy way to look and feel better!

Did you know that Alice! has a website dedicated to sleep? The A!sleep website provides you with the opportunity to take a free on-line sleep assessment which offers both tips on healthy sleep habits and instant personalized feedback on your sleep behaviors.

The website includes:

· a sleep diary to assist you in managing your sleep routines or identifying daily activities that may be impacting your sleep,
· a series of ZzzCards, electronic postcards with various tips on how to maintain healthy sleep behavior,
· general sleep information, and
· on and off campus resources.

Sweet dreams,

Alice!

Do You Procrastinate? What Can You Do About It?

This hands-on, sequential 4-session* workshop will:

1. Address procrastination and time management difficulties which affect your studies and your life

2. Enable you to pinpoint the problem and address its’ solutions

When? Mondays, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21 & 11/28/11
What time? 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Where? Counseling & Psychological Services’ Conference Room, Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor

To reserve a spot or for more information, please e-mail:
Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu.

*Students must attend the first meeting and are expected to attend all 4 meetings

Dear Students:

Flu season is quickly approaching and it is time to get your annual flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommend receiving a seasonal flu shot as the best way to protect yourself, family, friends, and colleagues from the flu.
We invite students, faculty, and staff on the Morningside campus to receive a FREE seasonal flu shot.

Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Alfred Lerner Hall, Broadway Room

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Alfred Lerner Hall, Broadway Room

**Please remember to bring your Columbia ID.

If you are unable to attend these events, please visit one of our other flu fairs this fall. You can also receive your free flu shot by scheduling an appointment with Medical Services during clinical hours. For more information about upcoming flu fairs or how to schedule a flu shot appointment with Medical Services, visit www.health.columbia.edu/flu.

The locations of all of the flu fairs are wheelchair accessible. If you require sign-language interpreting services to communicate with our health care providers, please contact Disability Services (disability@columbia.edu). If you require large print or electronic information, please contact dc60@columbia.edu or (212) 854-7390.
The flu shot is safe and effective. An annual single flu shot protects people from different flu viruses, including the H1N1 virus and two other common flu viruses.
Questions about the flu shot? Please contact Columbia Health at (212) 854-2284.

Sincerely,

Columbia Health

Are you an international student new to Columbia University and America? It takes time and effort to feel at home and get the most out of life at Columbia.

Counseling & Psychological Services Office at Columbia University invites you to:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WORKSHOPS

We offer two workshops designed to address your experience at Columbia. We will discuss:

Academics—How to maximize your experience in class and with professors. How and when to get to know professors, expectations, participating in class, collaborating with other students, asking for help and more.

Social Life—How to balance new friends and romantic relationships when nobody knows your language and your home. Getting comfortable. Learning social norms. Managing expectations. Feeling lonely.

When: Fridays, 9/30/11 and 10/7/11, from 1pm to 2:30pm
Where: Lerner Hall, 8th Floor, CPS Conference Room
To reserve a spot or for more information, please email:
Dr. Yaniv Phillips at py2120@columbia.edu

Greetings from Alice!
Homework on your mind already? Juggling work and family responsibilities as well? The beginning of a new academic year can be challenging in a number of ways. Stressbusters are here to help! Stressbusters is a student-run organization through Alice! Health Promotion that focuses on developing student’s stress coping skills and provides tools and resource that support an individual’s health and well-being.

Looking for a free backrub? Stressbusters has you covered. Stressbusters events create a supportive environment featuring free backrubs along with helpful resources for dealing with stress. Visit the website www.columbiastressbusters.org to see a schedule of regular events.

Don’t have time to attend a regular event? Learn about stress coping resources on campus by checking out the Stressbust Yourself Toolkit and Stressbusters Support Network available on the website. You can even submit a request online to have Stressbusters at your own organization’s event for free.

Interested in becoming a Stressbusters? You are invited to attend a Stressbusters training on Friday, September 16th from 3pm to 6pm in Wien Lounge where you will learn backrub techniques from a Licensed Massage Therapist. The rewards of being a Stressbuster are endless — Stressbusters get $10 gift cards for each hour of stressbusting on top of providing a valuable service to the Columbia community! RSVP for the training by emailing stressbusters@columbia.edu no later than September 12th.

About Alice!
With the fall semester firmly underway, Alice! welcomes you to the Morningside campus! Alice! Health Promotion, part of Columbia Health, seeks to make the campus healthier by connecting students with information and resources, cultivating healthy attitudes and behaviors, and fostering a culture that values and supports a healthy community.

Did you know that Alice! sponsors many program and services designed to support your well-being as a member of the Columbia community? Check out the following links for more information about some of the many offerings:

CU Move is an activity-focused program that offers the University community an opportunity to learn about, engage in, and share physical activities that support a healthy lifestyle.

Go Ask Alice! is the leading health question and answer Internet resource for college students with an archive of over 3,000 in-depth responses to questions sent by readers over the past 18 years. If it’s on your mind, it’s probably on Go Ask Alice!

Interactive Trainings that provide current health information, teach skills necessary to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors, and connect students with appropriate on- and off-campus resources are available on various health-related topics.

A!Sleep provides tips, resources and more to help students explore strategies to improve the quantity and quality of sleep. Take the online sleep assessment and get real-time personalized feedback. You can also download a sleep diary and learn more about how Columbia can help you get your ZZZZs.

Helpful Resources
Alice! Health Promotion Program
Columbia Health

Related Q&As from Go Ask Alice!

CU Move — Columbia’s online exercise motivation program

Stress at the start of school

How Go Ask Alice! works

Snoozing and losing

Free flu shots at Columbia?

Handwashing do’s and don’ts

Best wishes for a great fall semester!

Alice! Health Promotion
108 Wien Hall
alice@columbia.edu

Dear Incoming FT MS and MS/SEAS students:

Columbia automatically enrolls all full-time students in health insurance as of September 1.

For students arriving on campus earlier than the beginning of classes in the fall, Aetna Student Health offers an optional Early Arrival Insurance Plan. This plan is recommended for students who will have no other coverage during this period.

The plan is offered to students planning on enrolling in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan for the benefit period from September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. The benefits are comparable to those provided through the Basic level of the Columbia Plan. Students must confirm enrollment in the plan to be eligible for the Early Arrival Plan.

Enrollment

Enrollment is done using a credit card or e-check through the Aetna Student Health website. A student who elects this coverage must also enroll in the Columbia Plan for the fall coverage period.

Full details and enrollment instructions are available at: http://health.columbia.edu/insurance/voluntary/early-arrival

If you have any questions, please contact Aetna Student Health at 800-859-8471 or Columbia’s Insurance Office at 212 854-3286.

New York State public health law requires that all students document immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella, as well as document that they either have received the Meningitis vaccine or have declined to receive it.

All students must be in compliance with these laws before being registered for classes. Detailed information and instructions are available at
http://health.columbia.edu/about/immunization-requirements

Please act as soon as possible to supply Health Services with the required documentation. Please do not send me or anyone else at the Journalism School your health records. Only Health Services can certify that you are cleared and can be registered.

The deadline for completion of this task for Fall 2011 is Friday, July 22.

PLEASE NOTE: We will be in touch shortly with curriculum information relevant to your program. Those of you asked to complete a course preference ballot WILL be able to do so even if you have not yet complied with the immunization requirements. It is our ability to complete your actual registration that will be blocked until you are in compliance.

Please contact Health Services at (212) 854-7210 with any questions regarding immunization compliance.

Join John Hockenberry, radio host of “The Takeaway” on WNYC, as he explores the impact of ground-breaking legislation
that gave civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Date: April 27, 2011
Time: 6:30pm
Location: School of Journalism, Lecture Hall (3rd Floor)
This seminar is free and open to the public.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please consult Columbia’s disability access map
www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/accessibilitymap.pdf
Sign language interpreting and CART services will be available. Please contact Disability Services at (212) 854-2388 or disability@columbia.edu by April 20 to request other disability accommodations or with questions about the event.

This event is co-sponsored by the University Seminar on Disability Studies and Disability Services.

www.health.columbia.edu/20ADA

Happy spring! We are approaching that time in the semester when things can get a little (more) hectic. Alice! would like to share some information with you regarding strategies to ensure that stress does not interfere with the ability to achieve your personal and academic goals.

Easy tips to help you relax:
• Make “to do” lists
• Spend time with friends/family
• Engage in physical activity
• Choose balanced meals; check out CU’s Guide to Healthier Eating
• Get good sleep to boost concentration
• Make a budget
• Get a massage or back-rub from a Stressbuster
• Practice Yoga or meditation
• Stop by the Alice! office and grab a stress ball
• Take deep breaths
• Remember, a good night’s rest will help you do your best
• Make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services to help gain some perspective or work through any issues you may be experiencing

Did you know that Alice! sponsors the Stressbusters program? Every Wednesday during the semester you can drop into the Wien Hall Lounge from 4-5pm for a stress break and receive a brief neck and back rub. Look for Stressbuster events in other locations throughout the year. Check out the Stressbusters Page on Facebook. You can also check out the Stressbusters website for more information.

Helpful Resources
Alice! Health Promotion Program
Health Services at Columbia

Related Q&As from Go Ask Alice!
Stress, anxiety, and learning to cope
Procrastination
Stress is a pain in the neck — literally!
Meditation
Exercise motivation… for stress reduction

Alice! Health Promotion Program
108 Wien Hall
alice@columbia.edu