Dear Colleagues,

This note continues the series of notes providing an overview of School functions and operations and a summary of resources available to our community.

We aspire to be the best place for all our students, staff, and faculty to study and work. As part of that goal, we have a suite of resources available to promote the health and well-being of our community. A summary of these resources, offered through the School and through the University, are as follows.

Students

The Office for Graduate Student Life (GSL) is the central source of support for SPH students. Under the leadership of Assistant Dean Mary Murphy-Phillips, GSL ensures that all students have equal access to educational and professional, and behavioral health resources throughout the graduate school journey.  Dean Murphy-Phillips and her staff are always accessible and happy to answer any questions related to student life. She is available at 617-358-1750 or mcmurph@bu.edu.

SPH offers various academic support resources inside and outside the classroom to promote academic success. These include registration assistance, public health writing support, core course tutoring, student conference travel, a full range of academic accommodations and Disability Services, and more. Additionally, the Educational Resource Center at the University level provides comprehensive support services to all BU students.

A range of wellness and behavioral health resources and services are available.  These include Headspace (free to the BU community), Wellness & Prevention, Condom Fairy, and Well-Being Project among others are available for all SPH students.  Behavioral Medicine (which provides individual counseling, support groups, referral services and more), Sexual Assault Response & Prevention, Danielsen Institute, and the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders are additional resources. Student Health Services Primary Care provides both telehealth and in-person visits, and has a 24/7 on-call service that may be reached at 617-353-3575 or by messaging “Online Nurse” for assistance.

Faculty and staff

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Office (FSAO) is the central resource through which all may find assistance on a range of personal and work concerns. FSAO services are available to BU benefits-eligible employees and to their household family members. Services are offered in person, as well as virtually and interpreter services are also available. The FSAO may be reached by completing a Contact Form or by phone at 617-353-5381.

Spiritual and religious support

Boston University’s spiritual and religious resources include Marsh Chapel, BU Hillel, BU Hindu Cultural Association,  BU Catholic Center, Islamic Society at BU, as well as the more than 18 Religious Life Student Groups. 

The following is a list of Medical Campus prayer/meditation spaces. (BU ID is required at all times):

  • Talbot Building(715 Albany Street), 1st floor, Room 119A West
  • Crosstown Building(801 Albany Street), 4th Floor, Suite 431, Room 447
  • Houseman (R) Building (72 E. Concord Street),
  • 1st floor, Room R107, Fridays 11:30am-1pm only
  • 10th floor, R1018A (last door on the right from the elevators) – open 24/7
  • Menino Pavilion(840 Harrison Avenue), Interfaith chapel available for meditation and prayer located in the Menino Pavilion lobby
  • Goldman School of Dental Medicine(635 Albany Street),
  • 2nd Floor, Room 226
  • 7th Floor, Room 726

Movement and physical health 

The Fuller Gym (Medical Campus), Fitness and Recreation Center (Fitrec) (CRC), and Intramural Sports offer a range of programs for all BU community members. The gym and Fitrec offer a variety of exercise equipment, classes, and personal training sessions.

Workspace

If you for any reason need a place to work outside of your regularly assigned work location, you may contact your academic department administrator to reserve space using 25Live. Additionally, there are spaces both in Crosstown and Talbot that can be reserved.

We encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of these resources. We are also always open to hearing ideas about other resources we may offer to improve community health and well-being. Please reach out to me at sphdi@bu.edu, or to Associate Dean Ira Lazic at iralazic@bu.edu any with questions or ideas.

Yvette C. Cozier, DSc
Associate Dean for Diversity Equity Inclusion & Justice

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