Announcements

Student Health Services

Information for Parents of New Students

Health Insurance

  • If your student will be insured under your medical plan, you must complete a waiver form in order to have charges for the student insurance removed from the tuition bill.
  • Give your student a copy of your medical insurance card before arriving on campus, and encourage him/her to carry it.
  • Take a few moments to explain to your student how his or her insurance works. Does the student need a referral to go to a specialist or to have testing done? Does the student need to use a particular network of doctors? Is there a copay for prescription drug coverage? Review this type of information with your student.
  • All students are entitled to use the services available at Student Health Services, regardless of the insurance plan they carry.

Special medical or mental health needs

If your son or daughter is under treatment for a chronic medical or mental health disorder:

  • Inform the Student Health Service so that we can assist you in arranging for ongoing care with a provider in Pittsburgh.
  • Consider consulting with Larry Powell, Manager of Disability Resource at , if the medical or mental health problem may require special accomodation/consideration in your student's residence hall or academic work schedule (i.e., additional time on tests, a note taker).
  • Consider ordering a medical alert bracelet for medical conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes, seizure disorders, hemophilia, and severe allergic conditions.

Confidentiality Issues

We are not permitted by law to disclose any medical information to a parent without the consent of the student unless the student is mentally incapacitated or threatens to harm himself/herself or someone else. If you call with a concern, we will contact your student directly in order to address your concern and will ask them for permission to speak with you.

AlcoholEDU

AlcoholEDU is an online alcohol education program that all first-year students are expected to complete in the fall term of their first year. We recognize the important role parents play in helping their children make good decisions about alcohol use. Over 28% of our first year students last year stated that their parents were the most influential person(s) in their decisions to use or not use alcohol. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student about alcohol before school starts, and invite you to preview the AlcoholEDU program by logging on to www.outsidetheclassroom.com.

Tips for Packing a First Aid Kit

  • Antiseptic skin cleaner (betadine)
  • Acetaminophen for pain relief and fever
  • Decongestant like sudafed
  • Antibiotic cream or ointment
  • Antihistamine for itching, allergies (e.g. Benadryl)
  • Antacid tablets or liquid for upset stomach
  • Band-Aids in assorted sizes
  • Sterile gauze pads, 4 X 4 and a roll of 3-inch gauze
  • Adhesive tape
  • Cotton swabs
  • Thermometer
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Ice pack
  • Safety pins

We recommend that contact lens wearers also bring a pair of glasses to school with them.

Suggested List of Dorm Room Kitchen Items

  • 2 microwave-safe containers for mixing and cooking
  • 2 knives, 1 paring, 1 larger for chopping
  • Measuring cups
  • Small cutting board
  • 1 wooden spatula
  • 1 rubber spatula
  • Can opener
  • Bottle opener
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic wrap
  • Ziploc bags
  • Sponge/dish towel
  • Potholder
  • Small George Foreman
  • Dish, utensils, paper towels and/or napkins