Students seem to have a tough time talking about STDs. Bennett Decker-Bottero, a freshman theater major, said his friend thought he might have an STD but didn’t want to pay to get tested and was nervous about going to a hospital to do so. Columbia’s Wellness Fair on Nov. 12 offered a solution-free STD testing conveniently on campus.

Chicago’s Department of Public Heath tested students for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV at the bi-annual Wellness Fair that took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Residence Center, 731 S. Plymouth Court. It also takes place during the spring semester.

Regina Green, who was helping with testing, said there are always a lot of students taking advantage of the service at the fairs.

“[STD testing] is a great thing to have here,” Decker-Bottero said, because it makes it easier and more accessible for students, like his friend, to get tested and informed about STDs.

Many other free services were offered at the fair including counseling from Columbia’s Counseling Services and immunizations and blood sugar screenings done by SAGE Medical Group.

The event was aimed at to connecting Columbia’s community to the offices and agencies available for wellness, said Mark O’Brien, coordinator of Student Relations in the Office of Student Health and Support.

“When faculty, students or staff need help, they can come to us, and we can connect them with the resources they need,” said O’Brien. For instance, counseling at the fair can lead to students making follow-up appointments and to continue to get the help they need, O’Brien said.

Porchlight Counseling Services, which is a free service provided to college students who have been sexually assaulted or abused, was a new addition to the fair this time and gave out information about their operation.

“Sexual assault tends to be something people don’t want to talk about,” said Porchlight representative Megan Chuhran.

She said she hopes that by seeing their sign at the fair students will know help is available for them.

Another new addition to the fair was Mercy Medical, which had a dietician offering health and nutrition information for students to avoid packing on the “freshman 15” (or the 15 pounds college students often gain their freshman year), said Rachelle Meade, a clinical dietician at Mercy.

One returning business gave students a chance to relax. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine at past Wellness Fairs gave chair massages, but for the first time the college offered auricular (ear) acupuncture, said Conrad Merced, an admissions representative at Pacific College.

Acupuncture is good for stress relief and relaxation, Merced said. Pacific College has been doing many outreach events like college fairs in attempts to not only promote the school but also Chinese medicine, like acupuncture, because it is still new to many people, he said.

Christy Morton, a senior arts, entertainment and media management major, said she came to the fair for a massage and to try an acupuncture treatment. Morton said she was nervous about trying acupuncture for the first time but was also excited.

Another returning service at the fair were the back, neck, shoulder and hand massages offered by Hired Hands, who had eight massage therapists there-more than ever before.

“We have to add more with every fair we do because there is always a line of students waiting for our massages,” said Cheryl Thomas, president of Hired Hands.

The free massages were again a big attraction and at times formed a waiting line of more than 10 students long.

Freshman arts, entertainment and media management major Portia Harris was one student waiting with hopes the massage would help her relieve some stress.

Even though businesses at the fair said there was a constant flow of students to their tables, overall attendance seemed to be less than expected because of the rainy and cold weather, O’Brien said. But when the final attendance numbers came in, he said about 425 students attended the fair. The 2007-08 academic year was the first time Columbia had a Wellness Fair both in the fall and spring semester, O’Brien said. The fall fair attracted around 350 students and the spring fair drew about 400.

Many students were stopping in to take advantage of free sandwiches from Jimmy John’s and drinks from Argo Tea, which also gave out 20-percent-off coupons and let students know they can always receive 10 percent off purchases when they show their school ID.

In past years, only around 30 students came to the fair, said O’Brien, who credited the large growth in attendance to collaboration between interested college departments.

help, they can come to us, and we can connect them with the resources they need,” said O’Brien. For instance, counseling at the fair can lead to students making follow-up appointments and to continue getting the help they need, O’Brien said.

Porchlight Counseling Services, which is a free service provided to college students who have been sexually assaulted or abused, was a new addition to the fair this time and gave out information about their operation.

“Sexual assault tends to be something people don’t want to talk about,” said Porchlight representative Megan Chuhran.

She said she hopes that by seeing their sign at the fair, students will know help is available for them.

Another new addition to the fair was Mercy Medical, which had a dietician offering health and nutrition information for students to avoid packing on the “freshman 15” (or the 15 pounds college students often gain their freshman year), said Rachelle Meade, a clinical dietician at Mercy.

One returning business gave students a chance to relax. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine at past Wellness Fairs gave chair massages, but for the first time the college offered auricular (ear) acupuncture, said Conrad Merced, an admissions representative at Pacific College.

Acupuncture is good for stress relief and relaxation, Merced said. Pacific College has been doing many outreach events like college fairs in attempts to not only promote the school but also Chinese medicine, like acupuncture, because it is still new to many people, he said.

Christy Morton, a senior arts, entertainment and media management major, said she came to the fair to try an acupuncture treatment. Morton said she was nervous and excited to try it for the first time.

Another returning service at the fair were the back, neck, shoulder and hand massages offered by Hired Hands, who had eight massage therapists there-more than ever before.

“We have to add more with every fair we do because there is always a line of students waiting for our massages,” said Cheryl Thomas, president of Hired Hands.

Even though businesses at the fair said there was a constant flow of students to their tables, overall attendance seemed to be less than expected because of the rainy and cold weather, O’Brien said. He said in all about 425 students attended the fair. The 2007-08 academic year was the first time Columbia had a Wellness Fair both in the fall and spring semester, O’Brien said. The fall fair attracted around 350 students and the spring fair drew about 400.

Many students were stopping in to take advantage of free sandwiches from Jimmy John’s and drinks from Argo Tea, which also gave out 20-percent-off coupons and let students know they can always receive 10 percent off purchases when they show their school ID.

In past years, only around 30 students came to the fair, O’Brien said. He credited the large growth in attendance to collaboration between interested college departments.