Resolution 17-31: CAPS AFTER HOURS
| Number | 17-31 |
| Description | Having UTA CAPS open on weekends or extend their weekday hours. |
| Authored by |
Amelia Jackson |
| Sponsored by |
Daniela Garcia Roman Vasquez Brandon Berens Alexander Nervo Cristian Villegas |
| Date Submitted | Friday, October 6, 2017 |
| Date Considered | Tuesday, February 14, 2017 |
| Committee | Committee Affairs |
| Result | n/a |
| Remarks | The Student Senate had a healthy discussion regarding this resolution. The general body concluded that extending the hours for CAPS during the week could greatly benefit many students who utilize their services, however, the senate understands that the current staffing could not support this, but with if the tuition proposal is approved, they could hire more clinicians and potentially extend their hours. |
| Whereas | The University of Texas at Arlington offers Counseling and Psychological Services from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, in Ransom Hall 303; and |
| Whereas | This treatment is very effective as evidenced in the 6010 recorded visits from 2016 to 2017 and the average of 30 new students treated per week; and |
| Whereas | CAPS currently uses a "triage" method to evaluate which students get first priority to appointments based on the danger they may pose to themselves, or others, making it difficult for those with mild issues to book an appointment in a reasonable time; and |
| Whereas | Students with mild issues are currently waiting as long as a month to see a counselor, and their condition may worsen over the course of this period; and |
| Whereas | Mental health of individual students affects performance in the classroom, involvement in student organizations, and overall morale of our university; and |
| Whereas | Even with the addition of 3 new counselors over the summer, the current availability of CAPS still does not meet the capacity of our growing student population, and growing mental health needs. |
| Be It Further Resolved That | Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Texas at Arlington extend its operating hours and hire more staff members to meet the needs and schedules of students. |