As student health issues pose a greater threat to college retention and completion, campus leaders have invested new attention and resources in expanding and improving campus wellness services.

A 2024 Survey of College Presidents of Inside the Upper Ed and Hanover found that 70 percent of respondents invested in wellness facilities or services to promote overall well-being among students. But students say the deals are just OK.

Less than half (46 percent) of students rate the quality of health and wellness services on campus as either good (34 percent) or excellent (12 percent), according to one study. May 2024 Student voice survey of Inside the Upper Ed and Generation Lab. The largest share of respondents (36 percent) say the service is average, and 17 percent say the offerings are fair or poor.

While many students are less than satisfied with what is currently available to them, they also say it is an area that could make a difference in their lives. About one in five (19%) respondents believe that if their college invested in wellness facilities or services to promote overall well-being, it would promote their well-being and mental health.

Students say: The survey revealed some differences in how community college students engage with their campus wellness services compared to their four-year peers. Second-year students were more likely than their four-year peers to rate the quality of wellness offerings as at least good (52 percent) compared to their four-year public (45 percent) and private (39 percent hundred).

Similarly, students at private schools were more likely to want additional wellness offerings (23 percent) compared to their peers at public institutions (19 percent).

Forty-five percent of students say their campus has a good or excellent variety of campus health and wellness services, with 19% saying the variety is fair or poor and 36% rating the variety as average.

Students who self-identify as having physical disabilities are more likely to rate the quality of campus wellness services and facilities as poor or fair (24 percent), compared to their peers without disabilities (13 percent). Those with physical disabilities also give variety of services a more significant poor or fair rating (25 percent).

Adult learners are more likely to identify investing in wellness facilities as a measure colleges could take to improve their well-being (21 percent) compared to their traditional-age peers (19 percent).

Possible solutions: In the survey, 3% of students identified other institutional actions that could help improve their well-being. Some suggestions from student respondents regarding wellness facilities and services include:

• Extended time of welfare services offered. Classes, work and social activities, or other obligations can make it difficult for students to find time for fitness classes or use the gym. Late-night or early-morning offerings can make it more affordable for commuters and those with competing priorities to focus on their physical well-being. One student indicated that a 24-hour gym would improve their well-being. Student journalists at Princeton University also reported interest from students on campus to expand gym classes to reduce crowding while it undergoes renovations.
• More counseling center services available. College counseling centers often have a limit on the number of free sessions a student can attend to allow counseling staff to keep up with demand. While students desire nonclinical services for their general health and well-being, prioritizing clinical staff availability it is also important for students. Six students noted problems with scheduling counseling appointments or the cost of counseling in their responses. “My university (counseling center) is always fully booked as soon as the scheduling window opens at 6am,” wrote a student from the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2022, Oglethorpe University removed the cap on the number of counseling sessions a student could attend in a given year.
• Mandatory student health workshops. Some learners want more intentional curricular offerings that focus on health and wellness. “Have student health workshops in the curriculum and taken every semester,” wrote one Ohio University student. “It could include things like exercise and yoga. It would be mandatory and could help bridge the gap between students who find it difficult to start.” Spelman University in Atlanta require all students to complete a physical activity course as a general education requirement, providing important health education to students and promoting a healthier campus culture.
• Relaxation spaces. Stress can be overwhelming for the average student, so having spaces or activities available for students to decompress and refocus can benefit their academic experiences and overall well-being. A relaxation lounge or sensory room it can be a solution that is incorporated in academic buildings to promote tranquility among learners. Virginia Tech has built a Brain Gym in its new innovation campus that allows students to engage in stimulating activities or rest between classes.

Do you have a wellness tip that could help others foster student success? Tell us about it.