By MSU News Service MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS SERVICE
Montana State University is excited to announce the opening celebration for its new Student Wellness Center, which aims to provide a holistic approach to student health and well-being.
The event is open to the public and will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, at the MSU Student Wellness Center, located at 950 W. Grant St. on the MSU campus.
Key speakers at the ceremony include MSU President Waded Cruzado, Amber Long, associate vice president of student wellness, Jacob Zink, president of the Associated Students of MSU, Tricia Seifert, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, and Steve Swinford, vice president for Student Success.
The new facility, which received student support through a vote, features a 45-foot climbing wall visible from the sidewalk. It will also house offices for Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Advancement, and Student Health Services. Additionally, the university’s food pantry, Bounty of the Bridgers, will relocate to the Student Wellness Center.
Having a centralized location for health and wellness services will facilitate student engagement in activities that support personal health. Research indicates that healthier students are more likely to graduate, as noted by Long.
“Our goal is to encourage students to engage in behaviors that promote health and well-being, fostering connections and a sense of belonging,” Long stated. “When students feel they belong, they are more likely to maintain healthy habits.”
The hope is that consolidating health and wellness services will encourage students to utilize resources they might not have otherwise discovered. For instance, a student leaving a counseling session might notice an advertisement for Campus Recreation and decide to join intramurals, while another could easily receive a flu shot after a workout.
A standout feature of the building is the common area, designed as both a social space with a fireplace and lounge chairs, and an indoor walking area with a “sidewalk” for students to use during inclement weather.
The west end of the building includes a three-story clinical space housing Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, a pharmacy, and a dental clinic. Health Advancement, which educates students on topics such as drug use, sexual health, nutrition, and stress management, is centrally located near the commons area.
Campus Recreation will occupy the two-story east end of the building, featuring a three-court gymnasium, a turf multi-activity court, four fitness studios, and ample space for strength and cardio training, along with a climbing wall and bouldering area. It will also include a pool with lap lanes and a leisure pool.
By integrating staff and facilities in one location, “We aim to eliminate barriers to access, making it easier for students to navigate and make healthy choices,” Long concluded.
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