At a glance
Adding a new Health and Wellness Center in the Pioneer Student Union (PSU), which was formerly known as the Student Activities Center, allows the medical staff to provide outreach and programming opportunities to students.
For students on Alfred State’s Wellsville campus, the Pioneer Student Union (PSU) is a place to relax and have fun in between or after classes, whether it’s kicking back in the MindSpa or enjoying a game of basketball.
Now, with the addition of a new Health and Wellness Center, it is also a place where they can receive physical, personal, and emotional treatment.
On Thursday, the college celebrated the opening of the new center with a reception attended by faculty, staff, students, and College Council members. The center includes two exam rooms that provide privacy, a centralized nurse’s station for convenience, a well-designed lab, a handicap-accessible bathroom, and plenty of storage space.
Hollie Hall, senior director of Health and Wellness Services, said the center’s offerings make the space conducive to providing excellent medical services on a college campus. She added that its location in the Pioneer Student Union (PSU), which was formerly known as the Student Activities Center, allows the medical staff to provide outreach and programming opportunities to students who frequent the building because of all its wellness offerings.
“It’s a great space and we are very excited and appreciative for the opportunity to move into the Pioneer Student Union and continue to carry out our mission of providing health services and wellness opportunities to our Wellsville students,” she said.
Offering brief remarks during Thursday’s celebration were Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan and Vice President for Student Affairs Gregory Sammons. Also on-hand was the Allegany County Department of Health, which provided educational materials and information about the illness prevention and testing services it provides for the community.
The health center is just the latest addition to the Pioneer Student Union, which has made some major upgrades within the past couple of years, thanks largely in part to the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc. The private foundation provides monetary support to enhance learning opportunities for students through scholarships, work grants, and academic club activities.
The Foundation’s connection to the Pioneer Student Union goes back to the facility’s origin in the late 1960s, when the Foundation hired a company to construct a student activities building on the Wellsville campus for about $54,000.
The recent improvements made possible by the Foundation have included new painting, trim, doors, ceiling tiles, the creation of a revamped computer lab with new stations, a MindSpa that focuses on stress reduction, and a revamped gymnasium. Student Senate had also provided funding for new foosball tables, a new ping pong table, furniture, and new, modern computer desks for each of the seven stations in the lab.
Speaking about the PSU, Justin Cornelius, coordinator of Student Affairs at the Wellsville campus, said, “I’m just excited to see the progression within this building over the past few years. The support from a lot of people has really led to increased opportunities for our students.”
Ana McClanahan, dean of the School of Applied Technology, noted that a number of Wellsville students had a hand in creating the new health center, and credited both Hall and Cornelius for being instrumental in the process.
“Justin cares so much about the students that he comes in outside of working hours to improve their space,” McClanahan said. “Thanks to Justin, along with the support of Hollie Hall and the Student Affairs team, student life is improving steadily on the Wellsville campus.”
Each of the college’s two campuses has a Health and Wellness Center to treat student illnesses, accidents, and personal or emotional needs. A registered nurse and counselors are available during posted hours on a non-appointment basis.
The health center on the Wellsville campus is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Alfred campus’ health center, located in TA Parish Hall, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
