Collegiate Times

In November 2009, a follow-up report was issued which confirmed that the center had indeed tried to implement these changes.
Cook had developed and signed a “memorandum of understanding” with the local New River Valley Community Services Board that outlined how the two mental health facilities would coordinate and implement referrals for involuntary treatment made by the courts.

The 2009 report stated that this change “indicates an openness on the part of the Cook Counseling Center to accept involuntary referrals.”

In spite of the legal changes, Flynn said that the center has not actually dealt with any mandatory outpatient commitment orders since 2007.

The community services board is also responsible for confirming that the person receives counseling, and for notifying the courts if he or she does not comply. Officials of the Community Services Board were also named as defendants in the April 16 lawsuits, but were dropped from the suits in preliminary proceedings.

“We are not the ones responsible if the student refuses to come in,” Flynn said. “Now it is clear that the community services board has that responsibility.”

IACS does not wish for counseling centers to be involved in administrative decisions, but recognizes that in some cases mandatory commitment may be the best solution, according to Flynn.

Another important change at the center was the addition of six counselors to the staff. In 2007, only 10 counselors were employed at the center, meaning each counselor was responsible for almost 3,000 total university students.

There are now 16 counselors, with a counselor to student ratio of roughly 1:1,800 students, according to Flynn.

“So far, the administration has been very sensitive to the issue of mental health counseling and so the cuts have had no affect on our budget,” Flynn said, noting that the center, which has also seen a 60 percent increase in caseloads since 2007, can always use more counselors.

“We don’t anticipate losing any positions; in fact, we’ve asked to add another position this year,” Flynn said.

Flynn also said he and provost Mark McNamee have discussed adding one new position per year for the next four years.

The staff additions will help the center to more closely approach IACS’s recommended ratio of one counselor to every 1,000-1,500 students.

The center has also expanded to open a satellite clinic, originally located on 400 Turner Street until it was moved to East Eggleston Hall in November 2009.

The information on the application includes thorough descriptions of the center’s roles, its policies, its ethical standards and its staff. According to Roncketti, the entire process can take more than a year.

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A version of this article appeared in the Mar 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.