For more than 50 years, the UCLA Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) has helped ensure that student perspectives shape health and wellness at UCLA. Established on November 2, 1972, SHAC was created to bring formal student participation into the administration of UCLA Student Health Services — now known as The Ashe Center — and continues to serve as the officially recognized student body charged with providing oversight, input, and advocacy around campus health.
Now, SHAC is bringing that work directly to you.
What is the SHAC Monthly?
The SHAC Monthly is a new blog created to open the conversation about student health — what it means, how it evolves, and how students themselves influence it. Each month, readers can expect approachable, thoughtful pieces that connect policy, lived experience, and campus resources. Topics may include navigating care at UCLA, understanding how health decisions are made, wellness trends affecting students, and the behind-the-scenes collaboration that keeps our campus healthy.
Because student health doesn’t exist in one office, neither does SHAC. The committee works closely with partners across campus — including the Ashe Center, Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), undergraduate and graduate student leadership, and broader UC administration — to advocate for responsive, equitable care. This blog reflects that same spirit: collaborative, transparent, and student-centered.
Whether you’re curious about how services are shaped, want to better understand campus resources, or simply want to hear from fellow Bruins about wellbeing, the SHAC Monthly is your window into the conversations shaping student health at UCLA.
Student input built SHAC. Student stories will drive this blog.
February 2026
Where Should I Go?: Deciding Between The Ashe Center, E-visits, Urgent Care, and the Emergency Room
We’ve all been there: you wake up one morning and out of the blue you have a sore throat, cramping stomach pain, or a new rash on your arm that you never noticed before. What should you do and where should you go? Deciding between The Ashe Center, Urgent Care, and the ER is something that many students struggle with. This is why the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) has put together this blog post to help ensure that you get the right level of care in a timely manner. If after reading this blog, you are still unsure of where to go, you can always call our 24/7 Nurseline (310-825-4073, Option 2) to speak directly to a registered nurse who can provide additional guidance.
Go to The Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center for:
Non-urgent, routine or preventive care.
Examples:
- Colds, flu, sore throat
- UTI, yeast infections
- Mild rash
- STI testing, sexual health visits
- Birth control, routine gynecology care
- Mental health concerns (can receive a CAPS referral)
- Primary care
- Chronic condition follow-ups
- Vaccines and physicals
- Lab work
The fastest way to schedule an appointment at The Ashe Center is by logging into MyStudentChart. If The Ashe Center is closed, visit the AfterHours page to learn more about wrap-around services like the 24/7 Nurseline, accessing a CAPS counselor, or navigating UCLA Health Immediate Care and local urgent care centers.
Did you know that you can also get non-urgent medical care from the comfort of your own home without the need for simultaneous communication with a healthcare provider? Asynchronous “E-visits” launched at The Ashe Center last year, and they allow you to describe your symptoms or ask a question about your health via your MyStudentChart. The Ashe Center team of healthcare providers will review your info and get back to you electronically, typically within 1 business day.
E-visit services include but are not limited to:
- Health clearance visits
- Acne evaluation and follow-up
- Birth control start/renewal
- Cold/flu symptoms
- Urinary Tract infection symptoms
- COVID treatment
- Seasonal Allergies
Visit The Ashe Center E-visits page to learn more.
Go to an Urgent Care Center for:
Non-life threatening, same-day care if The Ashe Center is closed or unavailable for appointments
Examples:
- Minor cuts/burns
- Worsening cold, flu, sore throat
- Worsening infections (ear, sinus, eye)
- High fevers that are not improving
- Worsening nausea
You can access Urgent Care without an Ashe Center referral. To see a list of locations, see The Ashe Center’s AfterHours infographic for more information. Remember, in-network Urgent Care visits have a $25 co-pay and make sure to bring your digital UCSHIP insurance card whenever you access care off campus! Note: A link to download your digital insurance card is also available on the AfterHours page of The Ashe Center website.
Go to the Emergency Department for:
Potentially Life-threatening symptoms
Examples include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Poisoning
- Broken Bones
- Fainting or seizures
- Signs of a stroke (facial drooping, weakness, trouble speaking)
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Head injury with confusion or vomiting
Please note that a trip to the emergency room can be costly and time-consuming. Thus, if you have a non-life threatening condition, it’s best to visit an Urgent Care center. The average wait time for a non-life threatening condition can be anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. The UCSHIP copay at the Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica ER is $175. Review The Ashe Center’s AfterHours page and infographic for more information on costs and locations.
We hope that this post can help you better navigate your healthcare! Passionate about improving student health care? Learn more about the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) by visiting www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/shac.