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Health services
University Health Services (UHS)
If a medical or emotional problem arises, students and their families can rest assured that University Health Services (UHS) is here to help. Highly-trained physicians, nurses, counselors, health educators, and medical professionals are on staff at the Tang Center for standard appointments and urgent care.

UHS focuses on three major areas: medical services, health education (page 17, and counseling (page 18). UHS also administers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP, page 16).

Take time to get to know UHS staff and services while you’re at Cal. Don’t wait until you are sick! Ask questions, especially if UHS is different from your previous mode of health care. By taking an active interest in your own health, you can help UHS serve you well (uhs.berkeley.edu; Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way; 510/642-2000).

Who can use UHS?
All UC Berkeley students can use UHS. Your registration and campus health fees subsidize the medical, health promotion, and counseling services within the building, so services are provided at little or no extra cost. Furthermore, students enrolled in SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) pay only 20 percent of any fees that are incurred. Students’ spouses or domestic partners also can use UHS for a fee. Summer session students pay a health fee that entitles them to outpatient medical care during that period.

Students are required to carry major medical insurance and are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to meet that requirement (for more information, see Health insurance, page 16).

The UHS website provides a full list of the services the Tang Center provides, including:

The site also gives new students helpful information on how to prepare for Cal (a medical checklist) and how to make the most of their appointments (uhs.berkeley.edu; Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way; 510/642-2000).

Medical care and clinical services
In addition to the following, check the University Health Services website for more information (uhs.berkeley.edu/students).

Appointments and general UHS information
There are three ways to make an appointment at UHS: by phone, walk-in, or online. Licensed physicians, counselors, and nurse practitioners diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe medications, and discuss prevention on an appointment basis. Same-day emergency clinic and counseling appointments are also available. Regardless of your insurance, all general office visits and check-ups are provided at no cost. M-F, 8am-5pm (uhs.berkeley.edu/students; Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way; 510/642-2000).

Advice Nurse
You can call the advice line to talk about symptoms or urgent medical concerns, or simply to seek advice about what to do next for your medical care. (M-F, 8am-5pm; 510/643-7197). The same number connects to an after-hours referrral line when the Tang Center is closed.

Urgent Care Clinic
For immediate, serious illnesses and injuries, use the Urgent Care Clinic; no appointment is necessary. Typically, the Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday, 9am-4:30pm; and is closed on Sundays. However, hours vary during breaks. (uhs.berkeley.edu/students/appointments/urgentcare.shtml; Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way, on the Durant side—drop-off parking is available; 510/642-3188).

Crisis and after-hours
For life-threatening emergencies, contact the Campus Police: dial 911 from a landline or 510/642-3333 from a cell phone (program this number into your cell phone now so you have it in an emergency).

If you have an urgent medical or mental health problem that cannot wait until the Tang Center is open:

Please note: care may be at your own expense; emergency room charges are usually higher than urgent care centers. Be sure to bring your driver’s license and insurance card with you.

If your problem can wait until the Tang Center is open:

Health insurance
The University requires all students to have major medical insurance and administers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to meet that requirement. Most students enroll in SHIP because it is convenient, covers them 12 months a year anywhere in the world, is affordable, and offers excellent benefits (including mental health, dental, and vision coverage) (uhs.berkeley.edu/Students/insurance; 510/642-5700).

Most of the health care services you may need are available at UHS. For UHS services that have fees, SHIP generally covers these fees at 80%, and students pay only 20% (prescriptions covered at $15 generic/$25 brand name). If you need off-campus services, SHIP and UHS staff work together to coordinate your care at the Tang Center and in the community. For off-campus care, SHIP contracts with Blue Cross of California to provide medical and mental health services through a network of hospitals and providers.

All students are automatically enrolled in SHIP when they register to attend Berkeley. The SHIP fee is included in your registration bill, and SHIP members receive their insurance cards by mail. You may waive SHIP if you have proof of comparable major medical insurance coverage. You must submit a waiver form each year to prevent enrollment.

Check the website to find out more about:

Health promotion
Health Promotion programs help you make connections between your health, environment, and lifestyle. Health care professionals teach you how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and environment. Students are also key members of the team, acting as peer educators, volunteers, and interns (http://uhs.berkeley.edu/students/healthpromotion).

Over 100 students participate each year as health educators in the areas of general health, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, rape prevention, alcohol/drugs, and issues affecting the health of the campus community. Visit the website to find out more about:

Alcohol Education Requirement and Party Safe Information
Every incoming first-year student is required to complete an online alcohol education tutorial accessible through MyBerkeleyApp or at alcoholedu.berkeley.edu. The tutorial helps provide an understanding of the effects of alcohol and alcohol abuse, as well as skills to cope with the potentially unhealthful drinking behaviors of their peers. In addition, University Health Services coordinates PartySafe@Cal, a risk management and harm reduction program that helps equip students with the information they need to safely navigate the college party scene—available at partysafe.berkeley.edu.

Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
Students also can apply to serve on the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), which gives them a voice in improving services and programs at the Tang Center. SHAC members represent key audiences and communicate improvements and other resources to those communities.

Optometry clinics
The School of Optometry offers complete vision care services to the campus community as part of its academic programs. Clinics are located in Minor Hall (just downhill from the Haas School of Business) and at the Tang Center (third floor). These on-campus clinics offer a complete spectrum of care and prescription services in beautifully appointed facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. Insurance (including SHIP) is accepted. Primary care includes comprehensive eye examinations, prescription glasses, and all types of contact lenses. Both locations feature an extensive selection of contemporary fashion eyewear. Check the website for a full description of services, including specialized care for patients of all ages (6 months to elderly), laser refractive correction (LASIK), and information about the OD (doctor of optometry) professional degree (caleyecare.org).

Minor Hall appointments: 510/642-2020
Tang Center appointments: 510/643-2020

Watch out for colds and the flu
The bad news about colds is that there are no medicines that can cure them. The good news is that there are home remedies that really will help you feel better: drink lots of liquids, get plenty of rest, stop smoking, and be patient. A cold may last for three days or two weeks, but it will ultimately heal itself.

The flu is a contagious disease caused by a specific group of viruses. Common symptoms include fever, coughs, headaches, and weakness out of proportion to what you would expect from a common cold. Rest and liquids are important; acetaminophen or ibuprofen (e.g., Tylenol or Advil) may help provide relief from fevers and muscle ache; and cough medicine will let you rest at night. Helpful tips include washing your hands often, covering your cough—preferably with the crook of your elbow and not your hand—and getting plenty of sleep! Consider getting a flu shot, available at UHS each fall. For more information on colds and the flu, check out Online Health Topics (uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics), consult the UHS advice nurse (510/643-7197), or call the appointment line (510/642-2000).

Hepatitis B immunization requirement
If you are a new UC student—and will be under 19 on the first day of classes—state law says you must complete a Hepatitis B immunization requirement. If you don’t return the required forms before the start of your first semester, your enrollment could be blocked (uhs.berkeley.edu/students/immunization).

See the website to find out more about:

A few words about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Chlamydia, herpes, and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) are the three most common STIs at Cal. To learn how to prevent them, meet with a trained peer educator at UHS to talk about safer sex and other sexual health issues. HIV resources are also readliy available (uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/sexualhealth; 510/642-2000).

There are two types of HIV tests. In an anonymous HIV test, you will be identified by only a numeric code. Since your name is never recorded at the test site, no one will ever have access to your test results. In a confidential test, your test results go into your private medical record. The Tang Center offers only confidential testing; however, you can receive a free, anonymous test at a variety of off-campus clinics. Before receiving either test, make sure to speak with a clinic specialist to consider the best option for you (uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/hivtest.shtml; 510/642-2000).

The Tang Center also offers a number of testing options for Sexually-Transmitted Infections (STIs) and pregnancy tests (appointments and referrals: uhs.berkeley.edu/students/appointments/medical.shtml; 510/642-2000).

Party safe!
Cal can be a pressure-cooker academically, so a relaxing and healthy social life is important for overall balance. Your social skills, as well as the social settings available in the campus area, shape the character and quality your social life takes. PartySafe offers a website that promotes safe and healthy behaviors and reduces harm associated with high-risk drinking (partysafe.berkeley.edu; Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way; hp@uhs.berkeley.edu; 510/642-7202).

Most students do party safe at Cal. Ninety-eight percent of students won’t get into trouble with police due to drinking or parties (California Safer Schools Survey, 2006). For more information, be sure to check the website.

Fake IDs
If you are under 21 and are caught with a fake ID, you should know that there is a $25-$1000 fine, a minimum of 24-32 hours community service—to a maximum of six months in county jail, and a one-year suspension of your driver’s license!

Social Host Ordinance
Established spring 2007, this law holds party hosts responsible for underage drinking occurring on their property (BMC 13.49.040). The law prohibits furnishing alcohol to underage or intoxicated persons. Hosts who do not take reasonable steps to self-regulate the amount and flow of alcohol at their parties will be fined: no less than $250 for first violation, with increases for subsequent violations (PartySafe@Cal; partysafe.berkeley.edu).