These FAQ’s are intended to help you answer some common questions related to your health, safety, general well being, campus involvement, and off-campus living. In many cases, the answers to the questions will point you in the direction of campus resources that are in place to support you in your studies. Please select a category of FAQs from the options below.
What do I do if I’m depressed or anxious – is there someone I can talk to in confidence?
You can call the Middle Earth Peer Assistance hotline and speak anonymously to one of the peer helpers there by calling (518) 442-5777. The hotline is available Monday – Thursday from noon to midnight and from noon on Friday to midnight on Sunday. Depending on the severity and extent of your concerns they can also provide appropriate referrals for psychological services on and off campus. The University Counseling Center provides confidential services to all students and if your concerns are persistent, disruptive or severe, please call the Counseling Center at 518 442-5800 to set up an appointment. All of the services are free and confidential and do not become part of your academic record. There is also an on-line screening program on depression or anxiety that you can do at
the Counseling Center website.
What do I do if I want talk to someone for support even if it is 3:00am in the morning?
You can call the Middle Earth Peer Assistance hotline and speak anonymously to one of the peer helpers there by calling (518) 442-5777. The hotline is available Monday – Thursday from noon to midnight, and from noon on Friday through midnight on Sunday. In addition, for students residing on campus, Residence Hall staff is on duty after business hours for emergencies and can be reached through the Quadrangle Office (Indian Quad - 442-5940, State Quad - 442-5920, Colonial Quad - 442-5911, Dutch Quad - 442-5900, Alumni Quad - 442-5870, Empire Commons - 956-6250, Freedom Quad - 442-5830).
What do I do if home or personal problems are getting in the way of my studies?
You can discuss this with your professors and with your academic advisor who can provide assistance. In addition, you can contact the Office of Academic Support Services in ULB 94C (across from the Advisement Services Center under the main library) or their satellite office in CC110B (outside of the Student Association Office). You can call them at (518) 442-5180. If you live on campus, you can discuss this with your
Resident Assistant (RA) or Residence Hall Director (RD). In addition, you can make an appointment with a University Counseling Center staff member who can assist you in helping to sort out these issues and to make recommendations to help with the situation. Make an appointment by calling (518) 442-5800. All services are free and confidential and do not become part of your academic record.
What do I do if I feel overwhelmed with the amount of school work I have?
You should contact the Counseling Center at (518) 442-5800 or the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Hotline at (518) 442-5777 for help dealing with these issues. You should also contact the Office of Academic Support Services by visiting them in ULB 94C (across from Advisement Services Center under the Main Library) or their satellite office in CC110B (outside the Student Association Office). You can also call them at (518) 442-5180.
What do I do if I am having trouble sleeping at night?
If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, you’re not alone. Most people have trouble sleeping on occasion. A lifestyle change (mild exercise, avoidance of alcohol and caffeine) or improved sleep habits (developing a bedtime ritual, avoiding daytime naps) can often help. If problems persist, it may be that stress or emotional concerns, physical illness, or reactions to medications are interfering with restful sleep. You can receive assistance by discussing concerns with a physician (for University Health Center appointment call (518) 442-5229) or a psychologist (for University Counseling Center appointment call (518) 442-5800). In addition, free, anonymous on-line screenings for a variety of concerns are available
online.
What do I do if I am sexually assaulted?
There are campus and community services to assist you 24/7. Call 911 (or (518) 442-3131 for University Police) for emergency assistance. You are strongly encouraged to go to Albany Medical Center immediately where there are specially trained sexual assault examiners. At the hospital they can provide a forensic evidence exam, evaluate your health status, and address timely health issues such as preventive medicines for exposure to STI’s including HIV and the option of emergency contraception. If you are unsure about contacting the police or going to the hospital, you can call the Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center’s hotline 24/7 at (518) 447-7716, the
University Counseling Center at (518) 442-5896, or the Middle Earth Peer Assistance hotline at (518) 442-5777 to talk over your concerns confidentially. The University has resources in place to assist you. The pamphlet,
“What You Can Do If You or a Friend is Raped or Sexually Assaulted” provides more detail about resources and options. Remember, even if you engaged in some high risk behaviors, no one has the right to perpetrate a sexual act against you if you have not freely consented. Know the University takes the strongest possible stand against sexual violence in all its forms.
What do I do if I have questions about sex or sexually transmitted diseases?
The Coordinator of Health Promotion in the University Counseling Center is a trained sexuality educator/counselor. You can set up a meeting with her or speak with her on the phone at (518) 442-5800.
What do I do if I think I might be pregnant?
You can make an appointment with the University Health Center and the Women’s Health Clinic at (518) 442-5229. They can provide pregnancy tests and pregnancy counseling. You can also contact the University Counseling Center psychologists or the sexuality educator at (518) 442-5800 if you wish to discuss your situation. Off campus, you can make an appointment at Planned Parenthood located at 259 Lark Street at (518) 434-5678. They offer a wide array of services on a sliding scale.
What do I do if I need a condom?
Given the prevalence of STI’s among persons between the ages of 15 and 24, condoms are essential for those persons engaging in many types of sexual activity. Condoms are available on campus in the University Health Center pharmacy at a cost of 25 for $8.00. You will be billed for these to an address of your choosing and the bill will simply state “for medications.” The Project SHAPE: Sexual Health & Peer Education program from the University Counseling Center regularly holds programs and events on campus where condoms are available free of charge. To receive a regular notice about upcoming SHAPE programs via an e-mail list, send a request to Carol Stenger - Coordinator for Health Promotion, via email (
cstenger@uamail.albany.edu). If you are on campus, you can purchase condoms in the vending machines in the residence halls. Of course, condoms are also available for purchase at local pharmacies and grocery stores as well as convenience stores.
What can I do if drinking alcohol is interfering with my academics? What do I do if I think my friend has an alcohol problem?
You or your friend can take part in an
on-line screening program. This will also help you or your friend decide if professional consultation would be helpful to you. You can contact the University Counseling Center at (518) 442-5800 to speak with someone about a concern about yourself or a friend, or to make an appointment. All services are free and confidential and do not become part of your academic record. If you or your friend wishes to speak to someone anonymously, or to a peer, you can call the Middle Earth Peer Assistance hotline at (518) 442-5777, Monday – Thursday from noon to midnight, and Friday noon through Sunday at midnight.
What do I do if I know a friend is in trouble, for example, if s/he is suicidal, is abusing alcohol or drugs, is in an abusive relationship or has other physical or emotional problems?
If you feel your friend is in need of help or if you need help because this situation is causing problems, there are several places that can provide assistance. You can talk anonymously to a peer helper from the Middle Earth Peer Assistance program hotline by calling (518) 442-5777. The hotline is available Monday – Thursday from noon to midnight and from noon Friday to midnight Sunday. If you live on campus, you can meet with your
Resident Assistant (RA) or Residence Hall Director (RD) who can provide support and appropriate referrals if needed. In addition, staff members at the University Counseling Center are available to assist; call (518) 442-5800 to make an appointment. Services are free and confidential.
What do I do if I think my friend has alcohol poisoning but I am underage and have been drinking as well?
Alcohol poisoning can be very serious and life threatening. If you believe someone might be experiencing alcohol poisoning it is critical that you contact the University Police promptly who will dispatch Five Quad emergency personnel to evaluate the person and provide appropriate medical care. If you are calling from a campus phone call 911; if you are calling from a cell phone call (518) 442-3131. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our students and you should not be concerned that you would be removed from residence, suspended or expelled for assisting a fellow student in need.
