July 27, 2021

GALESBURG — Carl Sandburg College is adding telehealth to its list of services available to students.

 

The Board of Trustees at its regular monthly meeting Thursday approved a two-year bid from TimelyMD to offer behavioral and medical telehealth services that will be accessible to all students. The College has provided free in-person counseling to students for several years, and Sandburg’s Main Campus in Galesburg sees an average of 167 students each academic year for personal counseling.

 

A survey published in March by TimelyMD found that 82 percent of college students said they continue to have increased stress and/or anxiety because of COVID-19. The survey also found that in the previous year, 67 percent of students sought emotional support, and 63 percent of those students used telehealth services.

 

“Offering these services is an opportunity to break down barriers to medical and mental health care for our students,” said Autumn Scott, dean of student success. “Regardless of a Sandburg student’s available time, transportation or financial resources, they will be able to connect with a medical or mental health professional wherever and whenever they need help. When a student is not feeling well — whether physically or mentally — it’s incredibly difficult to be academically successful. Having these services available can help us improve our students’ wellness and, in turn, their overall success.”

 

The Board also approved an agreement with SHIELD Illinois to offer on campus the rapid PCR saliva test designed by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers. SHIELD testing will be optional and available to all students and employees starting this fall.

 

In other business, the Board approved the following:

• Employment of Nicole Lepper as full-time associate degree nursing instructor, effective Aug. 1.
• Resignation of Mary Guenseth as full-time associate degree nursing instructor, effective July 30.
• Resignation/retirement of LaDonna Green as administrative assistant to the dean of nursing, effective July 31.

 

The Board’s next scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 26.