UB's Counseling Services has moved back into Richmond Quad in the Ellicott Complex after a semester-long stay in the Student Union.
Though Richmond is further from the center of student life, counselors say the location of the office won't deter their ability to reach troubled students.
"We're very happy with our newly renovated space," said Sharon Mitchell, the center's program director.
The counseling center needed to be moved when health concerns involving asbestos surfaced before last semester.
While the center settled temporarily into the Student Union, the Ellicott office suite expanded by three rooms, and its waiting room was expanded with new seating and a redesigned reception area.
"It's much more professional looking and a more welcoming space for clients as well as people who work there," said Amanda Tyson, a counselor at the center.
The counseling staff was spread out into different offices during the renovation, but now that the renovation is done, the counselors will be centralized once again.
"I'm excited about the fact that we can put previously unused space to good use," said another counselor, Andrea Greenwood.
Last semester the counselors reported that 71 more students sought help in their Student Union office. Mitchell said that moving out of the busy building might seem bad for business, but she doesn't think the new location will discourage students from seeking help.
"Although there is more natural foot traffic in the Union, we're pretty busy wherever we are," Mitchell said. "Last year, 1,200 students were provided counseling."
Mitchell said that the high percentage of commuting students, rather than the location of the center's offices, is the biggest obstacle to reaching more UB students.
Molly Dubansky, a sophomore theatre major, said the center's location wasn't a factor when she went to counseling sessions last fall, but it could be an issue for others.
"I've actually had counseling appointments on South Campus as well, so really I think that if it's important to you, you'll go where you need to go," she said.
"The only thing I'd be worried about would be students that are less self-motivated," she added.
Some counselors said the renovations would help counter any negatives created by the Ellicott location.
"Not only does the remodeling allow clients to be seen faster, but it provides our counselors with more opportunities to see more clients," Greenwood said.
The counseling center has nine full-time counselors and two part-time counselors. Fifteen master level trainees, three pre-doctoral psychology students and psychiatric consultants also work in the office.
Counselors say they can provide students with a variety of services, from individual care, to group therapy and couples counseling.
"We see students who come in with typical concerns such as homesickness and roommate problems as well as more serious issues like depression and anxiety," she said.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
