It’s Week 7 of the semester, and you’re a wreck.
Your homework is piling up, you’re stressed and you have some mystery flu that’s been circulating through your dorm or apartment complex.
We’ve all been there. But luckily, where Counseling Services falls short, Health Promotion, Health Services and UB Recreation are here to pick up the slack. While their services are not a replacement for traditional therapy, here are some free (or nearly free) services for UB students to enjoy:
Yoga for Student Well-being — Student Union and Zoom
Health Promotion offers yoga classes on Monday evenings from 5:15-6:30 p.m. with instructor Tara Laurenzi, and Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. with instructor Cory Sampson. Classes are free and available to all students. Due to COVID-19, all classes are being held via Zoom. Class schedules are available on Health Promotion’s yoga and meditation website.
Meditation group — Student Union
Health Promotion offers weekly group meditation sessions in the SU Landmark Room, although you can tune in via Zoom. Sessions are led by Health Promotion Program Coordinator Sharlynn Daun-Barnett, and the schedule can be found on Health Promotion’s yoga and meditation website.
Sexual health services — Health Promotion
UB offers free safe-sex supplies and services to all students. Students can request supplies including: condoms, female condoms, flavored or unflavored lube and dental dams be delivered in discreet packaging to their on-campus residence or made available for pickup from a secure bin on the picnic table outside Michael Hall. Health Services can also prescribe a variety of types of birth control, and provide STI testing, which can be covered by a UB or private insurance plan. You can make an appointment on the Health Services website to discuss what pregnancy-preventing measures are right for you.
Monthly dog-walking group — Student Union
Lily the Dog visits the SU courtyard one Wednesday each month from 4-5 p.m. to offer stressed-out students some “canine cuddles.” Attendees meet at the table in front of the SU for an hour of unconditional love from the trained therapy dog. Snack and stress-relief giveaways are provided at each session. The session schedule can be found on the UB calendar.
Chiropractic care — Michael Hall
New York Chiropractic College offers free chiropractic services to UB students in Michael Hall. Call their number (716-685-9631) and identify yourself as a UB student to make an appointment. Appointments are offered Mondays and Wednesdays in the morning, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon. You must wear a mask and bring your UB Card to your appointment.
Group fitness classes — Alumni Arena
For $30, students can purchase a permit to a variety of group fitness classes offered through UB Recreation. A permit grants you access to zumba classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. in 75 Alumni Arena or via Zoom), yoga classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in 144 Alumni Arena or via Zoom), pilates classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in 144 Alumni Arena) or cardio sport sessions (offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:45-1:30 p.m. in 75 Alumni Arena). Permits can be purchased here. You will receive an email when your permit is ready for pickup at 175 Alumni Arena.
UB Rec one-credit classes — Varies
On top of providing paid fitness courses, UB Recreation offers a variety of one-credit classes that you can add to your class schedule. Activities from volleyball, to dancing, to swim lessons are offered in the UB Course Catalog in the fall and spring semesters.
Tutoring — Zoom
Campus Living offers free tutoring for UB students. Students can receive tutoring via Zoom for subjects including accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, economics, English, math and physics. Appointments are available Sundays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Reilly Mullen is the Editor in Chief and can be reached at reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com
Reilly Mullen is the editor-in-chief at The Spectrum. She is a senior majoring in political science with a journalism certificate. She enjoys Dunkin’ iced lattes and Scrabble. A former web, features, news and managing editor, she is a columnist at heart but has covered everything from UB Football to breaking news.
