Although Marywood’s buildings and facilities will be closed until March 30, the Student Health Services and the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC) will remain open for students to utilize.

Student Health Services Director Maura Smith and nurse practitioner Lori McHale will remain on campus to help students, either resident or commuter, with any medical needs they may have.

The center will remain open for students Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, students must make an appointment before coming to the office.

“Previously we accepted walk-ins and only required appointments for certain services,” said Smith. “But because we are working with reduced staff and with some adjustments to the hours our staff will be rotating through, that is why we are requesting appointments first.”

Smith said the decision to keep the office open was made because there are students who are still living on campus.

“There are still a select few students remaining in the housing, mainly international students or students who were unable to return to their permanent residences due to increased COVID-19 activity in their area,” said Smith. “As long as there are students that we can serve, whether they are residential students or commuter services in need of our services, we want to be sure to make those services available to them.”

Along with Student Health Services, the Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC) is accepting appointments with students Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CSDC Director Dr. Robert Shaw said situations like this can be difficult for college students

“These are emotionally-turbulent times,” said Shaw. “Not only for the community at large but it impacts the students of the university as well.”

Shaw said the CSDC has limited its staff down to him as the only psychologist, three licensed therapists, an administrative assistant, a registered psychiatric nurse and a psychiatrist. In addition, all the “trainee” graduate students will remain.

According to Shaw, the center will welcome both in-person sessions and sessions over the phone. Shaw said it was important for this service to remain for students due to the mental health issues that may arise during this period.

“Along with anxiety, there is an awful lot of isolation going on. The ‘social distancing’ is not just keeping six feet between people, its people isolating to their homes, apartments, dorm rooms and it gets pretty lonely,” said Shaw. “Loneliness, sense of loss and for some people depression are other psychological conditions that are present during this situation.”

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