Between class schedules and extracurricular commitments, staying healthy in college can be difficult, but for students who make time to prioritize their health there is another challenge — resource overload.
This is where Vandal Health Education comes in. The program was started two years ago, after the National Collegiate Health Assessment report showed University of Idaho students had a habit of risky sexual behavior, said Interim Program Coordinator Jen Deffenbaugh.
“We looked at what the difference was between us and other universities,” Deffenbaugh said. “We didn’t have a health coordinator.”
Since the program began, one of the main focuses has been holding events like Safe and Sexy Week to educate students about important health issues. According to Vandal Health Education intern Sarah Clark, they also hold “health huts” in the Idaho Commons each month to help inform students on how to take responsibility for their health.
Deffenbaugh said Vandal Health recently opened a resource room in the Student Recreation Center. She said the room gives students a place they can go to have their health questions answered during the week.
“We want to be a place where people can get answers,” Deffenbaugh said. “And if they need something, we’ll make sure to send them to the right place.”
Deffenbaugh has been splitting program coordinator duties with Daniel Trautvetter this semester, after the former coordinator Shannon Haselhuhn left for a new position. They are serving as interim coordinators, while the university looks for a person to fill the position long term.
“We wanted to ensure the program had a smooth transition,” Deffenbaugh said. “Shannon had all of spring semester planned out, so we’ve just been following her plans. We’re working on planning next fall’s meningitis clinics and the health and recreation fair.”
Deffenbaugh said the position closed in February, but the university recently reopened it for more applicants.
Vandal Health Education also has a peer health education program where students can become certified through the Bacchus Network, a non-profit that focuses on health on college campuses. The certification class began Monday and after participants complete the course, they will receive their certification at the Bacchus Conference, which the university is hosting this year on April 12.
Clark said the conference gives campus health programs from colleges in Idaho, Oregon, Alaska and Washington the chance to meet and share ideas. Each school gets a chance to present at the conference.
“We actually got the idea for the health huts from Boise State University at a previous conference,” Deffenbaugh said.
Deffenbaugh said the university will cover the initial cost of the conference, but they will be reimbursed with money raised from registration fees. They have reserved the Clearwater and Whitewater rooms in the Commons, and a few classrooms in the Teaching and Learning Center for the conference.
Deffenbaugh said hosting the conference is a big step for the program.
“We’re really proud to be hosting the conference here,” Deffenbaugh said. “It means people have noticed our program.”
Andrew Deskins can be reached at [email protected]