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It is the mission of the Health and Wellness Center at South Plains College to encourage students to develop lifelong healthy lifestyle habits, beliefs, and behaviors. The college offers a variety of services to help students deal with illness, injury, or life circumstances. In addition to direct care, our professionals are engaged in a number of educational and outreach efforts throughout the academic year to promote health and wellness for our student population.
Counseling Services
The mental health professionals in the Health and Wellness Center strive to provide a safe and confidential environment to assist students with personal or relationship issues affecting their performance in life and school. Counseling is a therapeutic service offered over a period of time to help the client adapt to changes in life, difficult circumstances, and support the student’s academic success efforts.
South Plains College has licensed mental health professionals available to students at all campuses, through in-person and virtual formats, from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. Students are seen on an appointment basis, but are welcome to come in at any time during operating hours to schedule appointments. Students may also call 806-716-2529 to schedule an appointment.
A student in need of emergency assistance should go to the closest medical emergency center or call 911. Students in a non-emergency crisis can walk in to the Health & Wellness Center located at the Levelland or Lubbock Downtown Center during office hours. After hours they should contact Star Care Crisis line at 806-740-1414. Students in the Plainview area that are experiencing a crisis after hours should call Central Plains Center at 1-800-687-1300.
There is no additional charge for students participating in counseling services on campus. Professional counselors are also able to evaluate a student’s needs for outside referral or additional assistance and will provide those referrals as needed.
Title IX Pregnancy Accommodations
Under Title IX, SPC students who are pregnant or parenting have a right to stay in school and complete their education. SPC offers accommodations to help students accomplish this goal. To activate these accommodations students must provide a completed Title IX Pregnancy Accommodations Request form and documentation from their physician. Please contact the SPC Health & Wellness Center at 806-716-2529 to request the application.
Students must contact their instructors to discuss their accommodations. Failure to contact and communicate with the instructor can limit the instructor’s ability to provide the accommodation.
Lactation Rooms
Lactation rooms are available by request on each campus. For assistance and access please contact the following:
Levelland Campus: Health and Wellness Center (806-716-2359)
Reese Center - Call Levelland Campus Health & Wellness (806-716-2359)
Lubbock Downtown Center Health & Wellness (806-716-4615)
Plainview Center, Victoria Huffines (806-716-4301)
Lubbock Career and Technical Center, (806-716-4615)
Health Services
Health Clinic
South Plains College offers all students taking at least six (6) semester hours on the Levelland Campus a medical treatment center with the services of a licensed physician and a registered nurse. Qualified students needing to see a doctor should go to the Health Services Office before 10:30 a.m. to complete records and make an appointment. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Physician’s hours are limited to one hour per day. Times are posted at the clinic. No summer hours are available.
Emergency Phone Calls and Messages
Only emergency messages can be transmitted to students who are in class. These must be handled through the Dean of Students, Director of the Reese Center, Executive Director of the Lubbock Career and Technology Center, Dean of the Lubbock Downtown Center or the Director of the Plainview Center.
Communicable Diseases
South Plains College recognizes that students or employees with communicable diseases may wish to engage in as many of their normal pursuits as their condition and ability to perform their duties allows, including attending classes or work. As long as these students or employees are able to meet acceptable performance standards, and medical evidence indicates that their conditions are not a threat to themselves or others, the Administration of the College will be sensitive to their condition and ensure that these individuals are treated consistently and equally with other students and employees. Every precaution will be taken to ensure that a student’s or employee’s condition does not present a health and/or safety threat to others. The fact that a student or employee has a communicable disease does not relieve that individual of the requirement to comply with performance standards as long as he or she is enrolled in classes or remains employed by the College. All efforts will be made to protect the student’s or employee’s right to confidentiality.
A student with a communicable disease is required to report the condition to the Dean of Students. Failure to inform the college may result in dismissal of the student from the college.
COVID-19
The CDC is responding to a pandemic of respiratory disease spreading from person to person caused by a novel (new) corona virus. The disease has been named “corona virus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). This situation poses a serious public health risk.
If you experience symptoms of respiratory illness, seek care from the local health department or your personal health care provider. Symptoms to pay attention to are a new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea and a temperature at or above 100 degrees F. If you have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 seek medical advice prior to being around others.
Follow these preventative guidelines:
- Avoid nonessential travel to countries/regions with travel advisories/restrictions.
- Do not travel if you are sick, stay home.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cough or sneeze into the elbow or sleeve - not the hands.
- Fist bump instead of shaking hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Don’t eat, drink, or smoke after others.
- When using a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately after use.
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Wear face masks to help protect yourself or others.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial Meningitis is a serious, potentially deadly disease that can progress extremely fast - so take utmost caution. It is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The bacterium that causes meningitis can also infect the blood. This disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year, including 100-125 on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths among college students every year. There is a treatment, but those who survive may develop severe health problems or disabilities.
What Are The Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis?
High fever, severe headache, rash or purple patches on skin, vomiting, light sensitivity, stiff neck, confusion and sleepiness, nausea, lethargy or seizures. There may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin. These can occur anywhere on the body. The more symptoms, the higher the risk, so when these symptoms appear seek immediate medical attention.
How Is Bacterial Meningitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by a medical provider and is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory results from spinal fluid and blood tests.
How Is Bacterial Meningitis Transmitted?
The disease is transmitted when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing, or by sharing drinking containers, utensils, cigarettes, toothbrushes, etc.) or come in contact with respiratory or throat secretions.
What Are The Possible Consequences of Contracting Bacterial Meningitis?
- Death (in 8 to 24 hours from perfectly well to dead)
- Permanent brain damage
- Kidney failure
- Learning disability
- Hearing loss, blindness
- Limb damage (fingers, toes, arms, legs that requires amputation
- Gangrene
- Coma
- Convulsions
Can The Bacterial Meningitis Be Treated?
- Antibiotic treatment, if received early, can save lives and chances of recovery are increased. However, permanent disability or death can still occur.
- Vaccinations are available and are required for college students under the age of 30 and for those living in college residential housing.
- Vaccinations are effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the U.S. (but does not protect against all types of meningitis).
- Vaccinations take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years.
- The cost of vaccine varies so check with your health care provider.
- Vaccination is very safe - most common side effects are redness and minor pain at injection site for up to two days.
Am I Required To Be Vaccinated for Bacterial Meningitis?
Pursuant to SB 1107 enacted by the State of Texas, all entering students under the age of 22, and all students living in residence halls, must provide proof that the meningitis vaccination was administered at least 10 days prior to the first day of the term. Proof must be received by the Admissions and Records Office before the student will be allowed to register for classes. Contact the Admissions and Records Office for additional information.
How Can I Find Out More Information?
Accidents Involving SPC Students, Employees or Visitors
Any accident should be reported as soon as possible. The injured individual should complete the Accident/Injury Report Form (in the event the injured individual is unable to complete the form, an SPC employee with firsthand knowledge about the situation will complete the form). The Accident/Injury Report Form can be accessed online at http://www.southplainscollege.edu/about/campussafety/complaints.php. Employees learning of serious accidents involving students, visitors on campus, or employees on duty or accidents on SPC property should notify the college’s Vice Presidents immediately. The Vice Presidents will inform the Office of Marketing and Recruitment and the President’s Office.
Accident Insurance
All students of South Plains College enrolled in at least three (3) semester hours for the fall or spring semester are required to participate in an accident insurance plan. Students enrolled in one (1) or more hours in the summer session are required to participate in an accident insurance plan. This plan provides 24-hour coverage on and off campus for medical expenses up to $5,000 resulting from an accidental injury. This policy also provides a $5,000 Accidental Death Benefit if death occurs as the result of an accident. There are named exclusions which may apply to any Accidental Injury or Death Claim.
Primary Excess Benefits
This is an accident policy, not a health or major medical insurance policy. The policy will pay the first $250 of covered accident medical expenses without regard to any other health care plan benefits payable to you. The plan will then pay expenses: 1) after you satisfy any deductible, and 2) only when they are in excess of any amounts payable by any other health care plan. There are named exclusions which may apply to any Accidental Injury or Death Claim.
Fees
Students will be charged $10 per semester or $5 per five-week summer term. There is a $10 charge for a 10-week summer term. For additional information regarding this Accidental Insurance Plan contact: Macha Insurance Agency, Inc., 813 8th St., Levelland, TX, (806) 894-6194.
Alcohol and Drugs
South Plains College Sanctions
All students and employees are expected and required to obey the law, to comply with South Plains College rules and with directives issued by an administrative official in the course of his or her authorized duties. Students and employees are expected to observe standards of conduct appropriate for an academic institution. When the standards of conduct regarding alcohol and drugs are violated, South Plains College will impose at a minimum, the following disciplinary action: (a) admonition and warning, (b) formal written warning (c) loss of privileges (d) formal disciplinary probation (e) suspension (f) dismissal. Specific information regarding more stringent sanctions is available in the South Plains College Policies and Procedures Manual, Student Code of Conduct and Faculty Handbook. College-imposed sanctions are additional to any legal actions taken by local, state or federal authorities.
Texas Legal Sanctions
Students and employees found in violation of any local, state or federal law regarding the use, possession or distribution of alcohol or other drugs (as defined by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subtitle C. Substance Abuse Regulations and Crimes) will receive the full legal penalty in addition to any appropriate College disciplinary action. The most common legal violations and their consequences are as follows.
Alcohol: Minors convicted for possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) may be subject to fines up to $2,000, suspension of his/her driver’s license and confinement in jail, depending on the number of previous convictions. Convictions for making alcohol available to a minor may subject individuals to fines ranging up to $4,000, a jail term up to one year, and suspension of a driver’s license for 180 days. Fines and jail terms escalate with subsequent offenses.
Controlled Substances (Drugs): Sanctions upon conviction for possession, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances range from fines to probation to imprisonment. Amounts of fines, terms of probation or years of imprisonment are generally contingent upon the circumstances and amounts of drugs in possession, sale, distribution or manufacture. Penalties for drug possession are governed by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Subtitle C.
Services Available to the Campus Community
South Plains College will strive to provide students and College employees with a confidential source of help when dealing with drug or alcohol abuse or addiction problems. Information is available in the Health and Wellness Center, the Dean of Student’s Office and the Advising and Testing Center on the Levelland Campus. On the Reese, Lubbock Center or Plainview Center Campuses, you may contact the Advising and Testing Center.
Early Warning Signs of an Alcohol Problem
You may have a problem with alcohol if you:
- Lie to others or hide your drinking habits.
- Have friends or family members who are worried about your drinking.
- Need to drink in order to relax or feel better.
- “Black out” or forget what you did while you were drinking.
- Regularly drink more than you intended to.
- Neglect your responsibilities.
- Have problems in your relationships.
- Drink in dangerous situations.
- Are able to drink more than you used to.
- Experience withdrawal (irritable, tired, depressed, nauseous or anxious when you haven’t had a drink)
Substance Abuse Assistance
If substance abuse is a concern for you or for someone you care about, the Health & Wellness Center will assist you in seeking help. We can be contacted at 806-716-2529. One or more of these resources may also provide you the help you are needing.
| http://www.247aaonline.com/ |
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| Aspire Addiction Recovery Center |
806-589-5911 |
| The Ranch at Dove Tree |
800-218-6727 |
| Alcoholics Anonymous |
806- 894-3767 |
| Lubbock Regional-MHMR (Star Care Lubbock) |
806-766-0310 |
| Family Counseling Services |
806-577-4136 |
| Texas Tech Family Therapy Clinic |
806-742-3074 |
| Texas Tech Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities |
806-742-2891 |
| South Plains Group AA |
806-894-8818 |
| Central Plains Center (in Plainview) |
806-291-4470 |
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