The University has received a HECap capital grant of $1 million for a $4 million vertical expansion of the University Health Service (UHS) Building on River Campus.
HECap, established in 2005, is financed through the Dormitory Authority of New York State and funds capital projects for independent private colleges in New York. For every $1 in state matching funds, independent colleges and universities must provide $3 in support of their projects.
The current three-story, 24,000 square-foot UHS Building adjacent to Susan B. Anthony Hall provides confidential, high quality primary and mental health care, as well as education and wellness programs for 11,000 full-time students. Currently, UHS’s physical therapy services are located in a portion of the basement, primary medical care is provided on the first floor, administrative and health promotion offices are on the second floor, and mental health and counseling services are provided on the third floor.
A vertical expansion of the UHS Building will add one additional floor and approximately 6,000 square feet of much needed space for UHS services, including expanded access to psychiatry and mental health care, and meeting spaces for health support groups. Additionally, the University of Rochester Medical Center-based occupational health program can relocate to UHS, providing exam rooms, an audiogram booth, nurse offices, and reception area that will serve the entire University community. There are also discussions to allow for an on-site optometrist to provide students with easier access to eye exams. These services are not currently available on campus.
Construction on the expansion is slated to begin in May 2019 with completion by fall 2020. Funding is in place for the remaining cost of the project.
“I’d like to thank New York State and our local government leaders for making this HECap matching fund available for this expansion,” said Holly Crawford, University senior vice president for administration and finance and CFO. “The grant supports our ability to offer suitable space for quality health services for our growing student body, and occupational services for the entire University community.”
“The demand for both primary care and mental health services has grown significantly over the past 10 years,” said Ralph Manchester, vice provost and UHS director. “The additional space will allow us to provide the care that our students and staff need, while delivering occupational health services to employees more efficiently.”
The UHS Building was newly constructed in 2008 and brought together primary care and counseling services in one location for the first time. In addition to these health services, UHS’s Health Promotion Office provides education and student wellness programs in areas including alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, relationships and sex, and physical and mental wellbeing.
