Shaw Wellness Institute Offers Health Promotion Programs

Back to Parent and Family Updates

The Shaw Wellness Institute offers a variety of health promotion programs as well as alcohol and other drugs services. Being familiar with what’s available can help parents and family members guide their students to resources they may need.

Peer Support Program

Students can meet one on one with a trained Shaw Wellness Institute Ambassador to talk through wellness-related issues including time management, sleep management, financial wellness, and belonging and connection. This program helps students feel more comfortable and empowered when asking for assistance or support, and connects them to campus resources. 

Wagging for Wellness 

Students can take a break between classes five to six times a month through Wagging for Wellness. Volunteers with Paws of CNY and Pet Partners of CNY bring their trained therapy dogs to the Shaw Wellness Center lounge. Research studies have shown that engaging in pet therapy reduces stress, pain, and anxiety. There is no need to sign up; students simply drop in to visit the dogs!

Wellness Supply Program 

Students can order free supplies, including various hygiene and sexual health products. Items are packaged discreetly, and students may pick up their order when the Shaw Wellness Institute is open.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention and Counseling

Free, confidential counseling in a safe, secure setting allows students explore issues around alcohol and other mood-altering substances. Services are designed to educate students about the negative consequences of substance use through harm-reduction strategies and skill building, as well as correcting misperceptions that many students hold about college alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. The Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP) for student groups emphasizes how to handle situations in which individuals have misused alcohol and teaches  legal-aged students how to create a responsible drinking environment. Learn more on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services page.

Narcan (Naloxone) Access and Training

Colgate takes proactive steps to educate the community about the dangers of accidental overdose from opioids and provide greater access to resources that could save lives. Free naloxone stations located across campus provide essential tools to help reverse opioid overdoses. Narcan trainings are held throughout the year to share information on the dangers of opioids, how to recognize an overdose, the use of Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose, and additional support resources. Students can sign up for upcoming sessions or schedule a group training for their student group or organization.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Wednesday evening meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous on campus are open to students, staff, faculty, and community members. Send questions to Stephen Elfenbein (selfenbein@colgate.edu), alcohol and drug services counselor/coordinator at the Shaw Wellness Institute.