Freshwater and Marine Sciences Graduate Program Handbook-Student Health and Wellness

• Securing Health Insurance Coverage
• Diversity and Inclusivity
• Disability Information
• Mental Health Resources on and off Campus

 Maintaining good health is extremely important to student success, and our campus provides a wealth of resources to support not only physical health but also mental health. UW-Madison has a holistic resource for all things wellness called “UWell”. The site includes information and opportunities for wellness for your work/school, financial, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and community. Go to uwell.wisc.edu/

Students who pay segregated fees are eligible for University Health Services https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental- health/. There is no charge to students for many basic services including counseling sessions, because services are paid through tuition and fees. Personal health and wellness services are also available in addition to medical services.

Securing Health Insurance Coverage

Graduate students who hold an appointment as an assistant of 33.33% or more or who have a fellowship may be eligible for health insurance and other benefits beyond University Health Services. Contact the staff benefits and payroll coordinator in the unit where you have been hired to select one of several health care-plans within 30 days of your hire date.

Graduate students without an assistantship or fellowship who are currently enrolled can use the University Health Services (UHS) campus health clinic. Many services are provided at no extra cost, including outpatient medical care during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. UHS is located in the Student Services Tower at 333 East Campus Mall, 608-265-5000. For more info, visit the UHS web site at uhs.wisc.edu.

Prescription medications, emergency room visits and hospitalization are not included in UHS benefits. Therefore, supplemental insurance covering these drugs and services is recommended for all students and is required for international students. The UHS Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is an excellent option for many students. Contact the SHIP office at 608-265-5600 for more information.

Diversity and Inclusivity

We are committed to a strong, conscious effort to build diversity across our community, so it can reflect the richness of the world around us in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, physical limitation, religious beliefs or cultural background.

Graduate students at UW–Madison benefit from our commitment not only through the welcoming environment we nurture but through programs such as the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship, Graduate Research Scholars communities and the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/oeid/

Disability Information

Students with disabilities have access to disability resources through UW-Madison’s McBurney Disability Resource Center. As an admitted student, you should first go through the steps to “Become a McBurney Client” at https://mcburney.wisc.edu/

The UW-Madison Index for Campus Accessibility Resources can be found at https://www.wisc.edu/accessibility/

Mental Health Resources on and off Campus

University Health Services (UHS) is the primary mental health provider for students on campus. UHS Counseling and Consultation Services offers a wide range of services to the diverse student population of UW-Madison. They offer immediate crisis counseling, same day appointments and ongoing treatment. Go to https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/make-an-appointment/ or call 608-265-5600. UHS service costs are covered for students through tuition and fees.

There are many mental health resources throughout the Madison community, but UHS Counseling and Consultation Services is the best resource for referrals to off-campus providers. Call 608-265-5600 for assistance in finding an off-campus provider.