| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 35.50 |
| Liaison | Brian Kelley |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2025 |
Christopher Newport University
PA-11: Health, Safety and Wellbeing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.52 / 3.00 |
11.1 Student wellbeing and assistance programs
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s physical health services for students:
University Health & Wellness Services (UHWS) is a health care partnership between CNU and Riverside Health System, one of the region’s largest healthcare systems.
University Health & Wellness supports the academic and personal success and well-being of our students, our faculty and our staff. We foster awareness, attitudes and behaviors that promote active learning and healthy living.
Our on-campus registered nurses, nurse practitioners and Riverside Family Medicine physicians provide a variety of services and educational programs to help meet the health and well-being needs of the CNU community.
Some of the services include the following:
- physicals and episodic illness and injury care
- on-campus laboratory services such as rapid strep and flu tests, blood draws
- vaccines such as flu shots
- stitch and staple removal
- blood pressure monitoring
- allergy shots
Does the institution make behavioral health services available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s behavioral health services for students:
The Office of Counseling Services (OCS) provides a range of services to address the mental health needs of the student body and university community. Specifically, we offer the following:
- Individual and group counseling for students
- Consultation with students, faculty and staff, and parents
- Outreach programming
- Crisis response
Students seek our assistance for several reasons, including among others:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Substance misuse
- Academic difficulties
- Difficulty adjusting to new surroundings
- Relationship problems
- Other personal concerns
We are committed to maintaining a safe and comfortable place for students to talk about their concerns – a place where they can not only be understood and respected, but also encouraged and challenged.
Our staff of dedicated mental health professionals is devoted to providing the highest quality of counseling services to the campus community.
Does the institution make sexual and reproductive health services available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s sexual/reproductive health services for students:
The Title IX office at Christopher Newport University provides resources for students including contacts for planned parenthood and confidential reporting of any concerns or issues that may arise.
Resources and more information regarding the Title IX office can be viewed here.
Safer sex supplies and additional general guidance is provided by the University Health & Wellness Department.
Does the institution make contemplative and/or spiritual activities available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s contemplative and spiritual activities for students:
The Pope Chapel for Christopher Newport University (CNU) was designed and programmed to encourage religious unity and freedom of worship, welcoming people of diverse beliefs by providing a place for meditation and prayer, worship, and meetings. There is a main assembly room and two seminar rooms. The close proximity of the Chapel to the new David Student Union, the Freeman Center, and the Trible Library make this facility convenient for most students, faculty and staff.
Does the institution have a campus safety committee that brings together students from vulnerable groups and management in the development and review of policies and procedures related to student safety and violence prevention?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s student safety and violence prevention committee:
The Title IX office provides standard policies and resources for students to report safety and violence concerns and to connect with counseling services and outside agencies.
While resources are made available, it is unknown as to the extent to which students are involved in the development and review of such policies.
Does the institution have an emergency assistance fund that provides grants or interest-free loans to students who are experiencing financial difficulties?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s emergency assistance fund for students:
The Office of Financial Aid administers financial aid to qualified students to help pay for college expenses. Christopher Newport participates in a variety of federal, state and university programs, most of which are administered through the Office of Financial Aid. Types of available aid include scholarships, grants, loans and student employment. Most forms of financial aid are based on financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Virginia.
Does the institution have a food bank/pantry, meal donation program, or similar initiative that provides food at no cost to students experiencing food insecurity?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s student food security initiatives:
The Student Basic Needs Coalition is a student group that has a Chapter at CNU and provides access to food on campus. The SBNC chapter will expand awareness of student basic needs and financial insecurity at CNU, build community between campus organizations with similar missions, and develop campaigns for improving college affordability and graduation rates for all students.
The pantry was established in Spring 2024 to operate on Wednesdays on the 3rd floor of the student union to help students in need. Items are provided in a partnership with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and Temple Baptist Church.
Read this article to learn more about the start and operations of the pantry.
Additionally, the Center for Community Engagement has partnerships to local foodbanks including Thrive Peninsula and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to connect students to local resources.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.2 Employee wellbeing and assistance programs
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s physical health services for employees:
Does the institution make behavioral health services available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s behavioral health services for employees:
All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). EAP counselors are available to assist employees. Contact your plan’s member services department for more information.
| Health Benefit Program | EAP Member Services | EAP Link |
|---|---|---|
| COVA HDHP | 1–855–223–9277 | Anthem Employee Assistance Program |
| COVA Care | 1–855–223–9277 | Anthem Employee Assistance Program |
| COVA HealthAware | 1–888–238–6232 | Aetna Employee Assistance Program |
| Sentara Health Plans Vantage HMO | 1-800-899-8174 | Optima Health Employee Assistance Program |
Does the institution make free or reduced cost fitness activities available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s fitness activities for employees:
CommonHealth has been promoting employee wellness programs since 1986. Programs include a variety of topics from back safety to weight loss programs. To learn more about CommonHealth Programs visit the CommonHealth website.
Current CNU students, faculty and staff are eligible for free memberships and access to the Freeman Center Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion, Auxiliary Gym and Field House.
Spouses of students, faculty and staff, and CNU alumni may purchase a membership for $300/year.
Retired professors may purchase a membership for $225/year.
Memberships are not available to the public.
Guest policy: Current CNU students, faculty, and staff may bring ONE guest. Guests must be at least 18 years of age (A picture ID is required. If guests do not have a picture ID they will not be permitted to enter.), sign a waiver, and be accompanied by their CNU sponsor at all times. Guest fees are $10 per person for each day (i.e., only for the day obtained, not 24 hours from the day/time of purchase). Guests must be accompanied by a student/faculty/staff member and are not allowed to come back into the fitness pavilion after they have left. If the guest would like to work out again, they must be accompanied by a student/faculty/staff member and repurchase a guest pass.
Please note that the Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion and Auxiliary Gym are only accessible to current students, faculty, staff and authorized members. Access to the Pavilion and Auxiliary Gym is only through the Welcome Desk turnstiles. As the Captains Card is your lifeline to campus, carry it with you at all times. It must be present at the time of use to obtain or use services and/or facilities. Unauthorized entry will be addressed as appropriate and those in violation of this policy may be referred to the Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards.
Does the institution make contemplative and/or spiritual activities available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s contemplative and spiritual activities for employees:
Does the institution have an institution-wide health and safety committee or network of committees that brings together workers and management in the development and review of workplace health and safety policies and procedures?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s workplace health and safety committees:
Christopher Newport University is committed to maintaining a safe working, learning and living environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors. For more information, view the Environmental Health and Safety Policy.
The Environmental Health and Safety Department works to mitigate and minimize risk to the campus community and facilitate safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible operations. We provide guidance and best practices that promote continuous advancement and support the alignment of university activities with regulatory standards.
Does the institution have an emergency assistance fund that provides grants or interest-free loans to employees who are experiencing financial difficulties?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s emergency assistance fund for employees:
The Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund provides grants to eligible state employees suffering from a financial crisis or an unplanned emergency/or unplanned event that impacts the employee or family members living in the residence of the employee.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.3 Smoke free environments
Does the institution restrict outdoor smoking?:
Does the institution prohibit smoking and tobacco use across the entire campus?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s smoke-free policies:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.