Students filled the Union Ballroom yesterday when Wellness Education at the University Student Health Center sponsored its 22nd annual Wellness Fair.
Organizations from the University and the surrounding Baton Rouge community provided free medical testing and information to faculty, staff and students.
The nearly 60 different exhibits at the fair included several off-campus businesses and non-profit organizations such as The Governor’s Program on Abstinence, the American Cancer Society, Capital Area Family Health Center and Smoking Words: La. Campaign for Tobacco-free Living.
Several University organizations also made an appearance at the Wellness Fair, including University Recreation and the Campus-Community Coalition for Change.
Kristy Miller, a CCCC coordinator, said her organization has always supported the University Wellness Program because the mission statements of the two are so similar.
The CCCC and the Wellness Program both support reducing alcohol consumption and raising student awareness of the hazards and dangers that accompany excessive drinking, Miller said.
The CCCC handed out yellow booklets outlining alcohol regulations and consequences for the State of Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish and the University.
The Harvard College Alcohol Study, which is conducted every year at the University, indicated that many students do not know exactly what the laws and regulations are in the University area, Miller said.
Debbie Adams, a representative of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, said she went to the fair to educate students about breast cancer risks.
Adams said that although breast cancer in younger women is rare, doctors are gradually diagnosing younger and younger women with the life-threatening illness.
“Even if they are not at risk right now, the younger they learn, the more prepared and knowledgeable they will be in the future,” Adams said.
Student Health Center Coordinator Kathy Saichuk said the purpose of the Wellness Fair is “to provide free health information and screening” to students who otherwise may not have time to get tested at a doctor’s office.
Saichuk said she was pleased with the turnout and said she expected more than 1,500 people to attend throughout the day.
Erin Rollins, an undecided freshman, joined the long line of students requesting glucose screening. She said she wanted to get tested for her peace of mind.
“I was feeling a little dizzy yesterday at lunch — like my blood sugar was low,” Rollins said. “I don’t really think I’m diabetic or anything, but I wanted to get tested and make sure.”
Some professors gave extra credit or bonus points to students who attended.
John Henderson, a biological sciences freshman, said he would receive extra credit in his biology class if he measured and recorded his weight, height, blood pressure and heart rate at the fair.