Health & Wellness
Summer Term is committed to helping you stay healthy as you engage in your summer studies at BU. As a student at BU, you have access to health and wellness services staffed by highly qualified healthcare professionals, as well as opportunities for world-class recreation at our Fitness & Recreation (FitRec) Center.
Student Health Services (SHS)
Boston University Student Health Services is your first stop on campus for your physical and mental health. A range of services are offered including urgent and primary care, counseling and other mental health services, crisis response and advocacy, and health promotion and prevention programs.
SHS healthcare services are primarily located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue. SHS Primary Care is available for urgent care issues by appointment Monday through Friday from 8:30 am–4:30 pm (opens 10 am on Thursdays). Visiting summer students are charged a fee of $25 to their student account for each visit. If you receive blood work or immunizations, you will need to provide your insurance information or have charges billed to your student account.
If you have a non-urgent issue that requires routine care, SHS will help you with a referral to a healthcare provider in the community based on your insurance.
If you experience an urgent medical concern outside of business hours, you can call 617-353-3575 and follow the prompts to be connected with the appropriate healthcare provider or you may go to the closest urgent care center or emergency department.
SHS Behavioral Medicine psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, licensed mental health clinicians, and licensed clinical social workers are available to address the different mental health concerns that arise in a university community. When longer-term care is needed, they will facilitate referral to expert clinicians in the community. Appointments are available by calling 617-353-3569. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am–4:30 pm (opens at 11 am on Thursdays). Behavioral Medicine clinicians are also available 24 hours a day on-call for mental health emergencies.
Any student who experiences a crisis, including sexual assault, should first call the SHS Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP) at 617-353-SARP (7277) to speak with a counselor.
In a life-threatening emergency, call the BU Police Department at 617-353-2121 if you are on campus, or call 911 if you are off campus.
Medical emergencies are transported by ambulance to local hospital emergency rooms. Student Health Services will call to follow up on your emergency and will help in arranging additional care as needed.
Emergency phone numbers:
- BU Police: 617-353-2121
- Local Police/Dispatcher: 911
Disability & Access Services (DAS)
Boston University is committed to supporting the academic, social, and cultural integration of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to foster academic excellence, personal responsibility, and leadership growth in students with disabilities. Individuals are encouraged to contact Disability & Access Services to discuss support services and accommodations they may need. Services include auxiliary aids such as sign-language interpreters, exam accommodation, note-taking services, text in alternative format, and assistive technology. Accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis depending on the individual’s diagnosis and documented needs. DAS is also available to consult with individuals and groups regarding architectural, programmatic, digital, or communication access. The Disability & Access Services office may be reached at 617-353-3658, by email at access@bu.edu, or at bu.edu/disability. You can also visit in person at 25 Buick Street, on the 3rd floor.
Fitness & Recreation Center
BU’s Fitness & Recreation Center (FitRec) is the place to go for a wide range of summer recreation courses, including outdoor activities such as sailing and kayaking, wellness classes such as yoga and fitness, and much more. With approximately 270,000 square feet of space, FitRec offers an 18,000-square-foot weight and cardio room, two separate swimming pools, two multi-use gymnasiums with seven courts, an elevated 1/7 mile jogging track, racquetball and squash courts, and a 30-foot climbing wall. There is even a lazy river—a relaxing way to escape the heat on a summer afternoon. FitRec privileges also extend to sailing on the Charles River, as well as indoor and outdoor tennis courts. FitRec is located at 915 Commonwealth Avenue. BU students and those enrolled in summer programs at BU are eligible for FitRec membership. Beginning in the spring, a complete list of summer programming is available at bu.edu/fitrec.
