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SSFC Recommendations: UHS Fiscal Year 2020

Posted: 2019-03-11 12:15:19   Expiration: 2040-03-18 13:15:19


The Student Services Finance Committee unanimously voted against University Health Services' proposed budget for fiscal year 2020.  Here are the recommendations that the committee will present to the chancellor later this semester.

  1. Hire 10 mental healthcare providers in FY 2020
    1. Given three current openings, this will result in seven additional providers ($700,000 increase from proposed budget)
      1. Original budget asked for only two additional providers
    2. Hire at least one provider for survivor services
    3. Hire at least one student of color focused provider
    4. Hire at least one LGBTQ+ focused provider
      1. Ensure that these providers are cross listed amongst these categories so that LGBTQ+ students of color can be provided adequate support

 

  1. Increase the 101 Campus Fund from 1.2 million to 2 million beginning FY20
    1. Campus financial support has been largely stagnant over the past 10 years
      1. As UHS and mental health services have expanded, this funding has become a smaller percentage of the overall budget, shifting the burden to students
    2. This funding will cover additional providers and related expenses

 

  1. Remove arbitrary fiscal restraints imposed by the VCSA and AOA
    1. Constraining UHS to one percent budget increases does not equip our campus with the ability to adequately commit resources to the expanding issue of mental healthcare
    2. The SSFC supports annual budget increases of up to seven percent in FY20 and beyond to invest in mental health resources
    3. A larger budget increase may be approved by the SSFC, given UHS presents the budget and proposed expansion plans before the committee

 

  1. Investigate reasoning for high staff turnover
    1. Immediately begin a full review to better understand the high mental staff turnover
    2. This review must result in an action plan by the end of the 2019 fall semester
      1. Possible solutions: increase salary; introduce a graduated compensation plan; improve work environment; alter hiring practices; consider developing a more extensive partnership with recent UW - Madison graduates specializing in mental health services
    3. This plan must be presented to the SSFC

 

  1. Place a greater emphasis on shared governance and student voices
    1. Increase HCAC meeting frequency to twice per month
      1. Allot 25% of the meeting time to address student concerns and solutions
    2. Present preliminary budget to the SSFC in the fall semester - a practice required by an MOU signed by the Chancellor, and a common approach taken by the other large non-allocables
  2. Implement strict conditions on the VCSA’s Mental Health Task Force
    1. The Task Force must include multiple students and representation of ASM
    2. The Task Force must deliver a recommendation for FY 2020 operations by May, 2019
    3. The Task Force must deliver a long-term action plan by the end of the 2019 fall semester
    4. The Task Force must consider the following issues:
      1. Acquire additional physical space
        1. Repurpose the Environmental and Occupational Health space (up to 20 additional offices)
        2. Collaborate with Rec Sports to create a satellite location at the new Natatorium
        3. Begin discussions with Campus Planning and Facilities to expand into satellite offices around campus
        4. Embed services into residence halls or individual colleges
      2. Extend appointment times (nights and weekends)
        1. Poll students to gauge what times would be in high demand
        2. Incentivize providers to work flexible schedules
        3. Implement a trial period for at least one semester, report results back to students via HCAC or SSFC
      3. Increase campus awareness of resources and better identify at risk students
        1. Create a mandatory Mental Health online program for incoming freshman; this could include screening for at risk students and provide identity-based resources for students
        2. Create Mental Health trainings for faculty so that they are better equipped to recognize and work with at risk students
        3. Research outreach issues and the needs for mental health services targeting the international student population
      4. Expand and develop supplementary programs
        1. Implement more online/phone/group based services
        2. Expand advertisement of and investment in Silvercloud program
        3. Study successful approaches at other universities
        4. Create a comprehensive advertising plan to ensure students know the available resources and the appropriate steps to take
      5. Recruit a project manager to take charge of Mental Health expansion
        1. Establish long term goals for mental health services
        2. Creates leadership regarding the implementation of the VCSA’s Mental Health Task Force action plan

 

 

 


-- Associated Students of Madison: Morgan Grunow