Student Well-being
Our students' well-being is our top priority. We understand that how students feel directly connects to their academic success, sense of belonging and engagement in life outside of the classroom. At Bucknell, we offer students the holistic resources they need to create a healthy college experience, paving the way to a healthy life.
Personal Health & Wellness Student Tour Video
Emotional-Psychological Wellness
The Counseling & Student Development Center
Students can access free, confidential therapy in person and by telehealth through the Counseling & Student Development Center (CSDC), located in the Graham Building next to Bucknell Student Health. The team of counselors and psychologists at the CSDC includes alcohol and other drug specialists as well as counselors specializing in supporting students based on diverse presenting concerns, identities and styles. Options include:
- 1:1 therapy appointments
- Telehealth counseling
- Same-day appointments for mental health needs
- 24/7 and emergency mental health support
- Referrals to off-campus providers and drug intervention and recovery resources
- Outreach programming, including campus visits from therapy dogs 20–25 times per year
Learn more and schedule an appointment
Off-site Telehealth Counseling: UWill
As an alternative to counseling through the CSDC, students can access telehealth counseling with an off-campus therapist at no cost through Bucknell’s partner UWill. Students may choose a therapist based on their preferences (primary concern, gender, language, ethnicity) and schedule up to eight counseling sessions via video, phone or chat.
Physical Wellness
Bucknell Student Health
Located in the Graham Building, Bucknell Student Health offers a wide range of on-site, confidential, quality care to help students meet their health goals. Services include treatment for routine illnesses and injuries, as well as:
- Sexual health, including free barrier distribution, orders for and dispensing of some pharmaceutical birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, consultation and ordering of PrEP, and pregnancy information, testing and assistance
- Nutrition services, including an on-campus registered dietitian, support for student-athletes, medical nutrition and treatment of disordered eating
- Drug and alcohol education
- Vaping, smoking or other nicotine cessation support
- Travel medicine
Learn more and schedule an appointment
Recreation Services
Recreation Services offer a variety of recreation- and fitness-based programming in an effort to educate the Bucknell community in establishing and leading healthier lifestyles. Based at the Kenneth Langone Athletics & Recreation Center — home to an Olympic-size pool, a spacious fitness and weight-training center and a fieldhouse — Recreation Services hosts daily student programming including:
- Club and club varsity sports
- Intramurals
- Group fitness classes
- Fitness equipment orientations and consultations
- Indoor climbing
- Equipment rentals
- Wellness programs
Outdoor Education & Leadership
Outdoor Education & Leadership (OEL) offers a robust menu of opportunities, services and programs that facilitate encounters with the outdoors for individuals and groups. Opportunities to get out and explore Pennsylvania include:
- More than 40 guided excursions per semester, including day and overnight trips as well as break outings to destinations such as Utah, Colorado and Vermont
- The OEL Rental Center, offering free rentals for self-guided student excursions
- Bison Bikes, where students can borrow day bikes for transportation around Lewisburg and mountain bikes for off-road use, free of charge
- The CLIMBucknell Challenge Course at Cowan
- The five-day BuckWild Pre-Orientation program
Social Wellness
Personal Wellness Coaching
Wellness coaching is a free resource for students that facilitates self-directed change with the guidance of a peer coach on topics of well-being. Sessions are one-on-one, virtual, conversational appointments with a certified peer wellness coach and are personalized to meet students' goals.
Social Programming
We provide ample opportunities and structures to help you find your place at Bucknell. Our Campus Activities & Programs Center offers new activities nearly every night of the week, along with more than 200 student clubs and organizations. The 7th Street Studio & MakerSpace offers late-night weekday and weekend hours and a variety of stress-relief "do it yourself" activities such as designing t-shirts, yoga mats, water bottles and much more.
Explore Campus Activities & Programs
Outdoor Activity Spaces
Our campus offers just as many opportunities for exploration and education as our classrooms. In recent years Bucknell has enhanced outdoor amenities for student activity and engagement through new outdoor facilities, including:
- A firepit at the Bucknell Farm
- Disc golf course (rent discs at the KLARC)
- Permanent ping-pong and cornhole equipment on Smith Quad
- Outdoor basketball, volleyball and tennis courts with lighting around campus
- Pavilions near Rooke Science, Bertrand Library and Academic West
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual Support
The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life provides space for members of all faiths and religious traditions, including atheists, agnostics and seekers. Bucknell offers chaplains and spaces for the Muslim, Catholic, Jewish and Protestant communities as well as interfaith spaces and programming. Spaces for worship and gathering on campus include:
- Rooke Chapel, Bucknell's main venue for worship, weddings and spiritual celebrations, includes the Office of Religious Life, the University Chaplain's office, a meditation chapel and kitchen
- Fellowship House, for Protestant groups and ministries
- Newman House, home to the Catholic Campus Ministry
- The Berelson Center for Jewish Life, includes a certified-kosher kitchen and the office of Bucknell's Chaplain for the Jewish Community
- The Muslim Community Space in Davis Hall, featuring a prayer room
- A meditation labyrinth near the Bucknell Farm, providing a quiet place for reflection
Financial Wellness
B-Eats Food Pantry
Students in need of nutritious meal items can stop by the B-Eats food pantry located in the Elaine Langone Center and choose from a variety of groceries, fresh produce, refrigerated items and frozen meals from Bucknell Dining Services, no questions asked. The pantry is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Dining Hall Swipe Program
B-Swipes is a program that allows students in need of food assistance to request additional meal swipes for entry into Bostwick Marketplace. Students with demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply for swipes during the fall and spring semesters.
Learn more and request swipes (login required)
Emergency Financial Aid
Students who experience an unexpected crisis or hardship and are in financial need may seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office. Requests for assistance must arise from a short-term hardship and are subject to approval.
Learn more about emergency aid
Technology for Students in Need
Students with financial need who face difficulty accessing reliable technology can apply for assistance through the Technology for Students in Need program.