OCR Text |
Show SUU PREVIEW 1993 • PAGE 13 Wellness Center aids many students The Wellness Center, composed of "three humanitarians," is devoted to serving students by promoting the total wellness concept, says Harman Bonniksen, coordinator of the Drug and Alcohol Education and Prevention Programs. And that it does-Bonniksen says that more than 1,000 students were serviced by the center this past year. The Wellness Center incorporates Student Health Services, Clinical Counseling and Drug and Alcohol Education and Prevention Programs. "Some people just need someone to say 'hi,' or, 'you look nice today,' and we can provide that," says Bonniksen. Kay Messerly, director of Student health Services adds, "Everyone needs reassurance---someone to just say, 'you're OK."' "People say that this is the best time of your life, but you have to perform academically, socially, financially ... and smile all the way," adds Messerly. "It results in high pressure." Gary Dunford, director of Clinical Counseling, says he treats a lot of students with high an.xjety and depression as a result of all the stresses facing college students. "However, help is available," he says. "We've seen students helped tremendously through the counseling service." Dunford, who received the Outstanding Staff Member Award from the University for 1991-92, adds that he has visited with students about problems such as eating disorder , sexual, physical and even cult abuse, as well as multiple personalities, irrational fears and neuropsychological problems. There is no cost for the first 10 visits, but after that there is a $10 charge. "This starts over every quarter, so a student has 10 free visits a quarter," Dunford says. "Students are welcome to bring a friend or anyone who makes them feel safe," he says. "We pull lives back together when they have been shattered-or at least bruised," says Bonniksen. "A lot of people also talk to Kay as well because she's readily accessible and kind," he adds. "She does a lot more than dispensing pills-we do a lot of healing thaUsn't medical." However, the Wellness Center performs a lot of healing that is medical as well. According to Messerly, a registered nurse, Student Health Services performs primary diagnosis and treatment of problems, along with follow-up care. There is a one-time $10 charge for the first visit, to process a student's records. Messerly also visits classrooms along with Dunford and Bonniksen to make presentations on prevention of rape, AIDS and other problems facing students. ''We do a lot of things that aren't publicized," says Bonniksen. The Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Programs, the newest facet of the Wellness Center, was installed to counter the alcohol and drug problem on the SU campus. According to Bonniksen, it is a place where students can get references for self-help and other community organizations, rather than a counseling program. "We can help people come to decisions and help them work through a decision-making process," says Bonnikse.n. He adds, "We don't take the approach of 'you're going to be an ugly, bad person if you don't get help,' but from the wellness standpoint." "Mostly it's really fun to see students overcome problems and be successful," ays Dunford. Messerly adds, "Commencement is always a wonderful day, to see students that you think you had a hand in helping." SUU's Wellness Center is operated by (from left) Dr. Gary Dunford, Kay Messerly and Harman65 Bonniksen. Braith-waite Fine Arts Gallery offers haven for art lovers In addition to providing aid to and space for the senior portfolios of SUU's senior art students, the Gallery also will refer people to appraisers and restorers, and is currently developing a docent program which will train interested individuals in conducting tours of museums and galleries. "We are responsible for management of the University colJection/' says Kidric.k, noting that the collection includes "artwork in campus offices, outdoor during the quarter of enrollment. environmental sculptures, exhibits in the Randall Theatre and this Gallery, as well However, offering 22 exhibits per year for the consumption of the campus and as public areas across campus community i but a part of the service including the Library and Student the Gallery provides. C nter." "We're a catholic operation here," Kidrick adds that the new R. Haze says Gallery Curator Valerie Kidrick. Hunter Conference Center also "Not only do we provide an artistic contains much of the University's experience for SUU students, but we private collection. try to answer the needs of the general The Gallery even transcend community of thi region." traditi nal art by sponsoring p try Those needs include, on variou readings. Kidrick says that it's a wise occasions, guided tours of the Gallery and popular notion to span the arts in and related art venues on campus and this manner. "The arts are more of a presentations to local school groups populist enterprise than an elitist about the exhibits and their artists. enterprise," she says. "We try to Moreover, the Gallery staff is afford access to everyone because, available for both formal and informal truly, everyone needs art in their life. discussions in art history and Through our poetry readings we appreciation as well as other offattract a lot of people who otherwise campus lectures and programs. might not come to a gallery. Thus, SUU's Gallery provides a bright and they're exposed to a greater range of provocative setting for the study of art than they might not otherwise be." art and people. ''We're happy to see The Gallery also provides matting people here and want them to enjoy and framing services for campus and the Gallery," Kidrick says. "I don't community. think art galleries should be morgues The Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery is where everyone speaks in hushed supported in part by the National tones. Galleries should be places that Endowment for the Arts, th Utah are full of life." Arts Council and the Friends of the Among the exhibits during the Gallery. course of a year are those of students. SUU's Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery provides a plethora of visual stimulation for students. The Royden C. Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery at Southern Utah University has been called a haven for art lovers in southern Utah and students at SUU enjoy it in a variety of ways. One of the primary uses by students is via the Convocations program wherein students can fulfiH a requirement of that course simply by visiting an exhibit once |