Introducing the SHAC Monthly: Student Voices on Health at UCLA

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.

Read the UCLA SHAC Charter

March 2026

The Flu and you: How you can best prepare yourself for the current Flu season, from staying healthy to taking preventive measures

There’s something about flu season on a college campus that always feels inevitable. One person starts coughing in lecture, someone else says they’ve been “kind of sick all week,” and suddenly half your friend group is drinking tea, cancelling plans, and pretending they’re fine. At UCLA, where we’re constantly moving — classes, labs, work, clubs, late nights — it’s easy to treat getting sick as just another inconvenience. But the flu isn’t just a random seasonal annoyance. It’s one of those quiet reminders that health is collective, and the choices we make affect the people around us.

The Ashe Center frames flu prevention in a way that actually feels realistic for students: make it easy, make it accessible, and meet us where we are. The flu shot is offered through multiple options — you can get it during a routine visit with your primary care provider, schedule it through mystudentchart or even get vaccinated at a local pharmacy if you’re on UCSHIP. The point is clear: you don’t need to jump through hoops. You just have to decide to do it.

And honestly, that’s the part I think students struggle with the most — the decision itself. We’re used to pushing through things. College culture sometimes makes it feel like being exhausted or sick is normal, almost expected. But the flu can hit hard. It can wipe out an entire week of productivity, make labs and assignments pile up, and turn simple routines into a chore. Taking a preventative step early feels small, but it saves a lot of stress later.

One thing I appreciate about how The Ashe Center communicates flu care is the transparency around cost and access. For students on UCSHIP, the flu shot is free. For non-SHIP or waiver students, it’s still relatively affordable, around $25, billed directly to the Bruin Bill, and you just need your Bruin Card — no appointment necessary in many cases. That matters because financial uncertainty is real for students, and healthcare can feel confusing or inaccessible if pricing isn’t clear.

There’s also something important about the idea of community health that doesn’t get talked about enough. The flu vaccine isn’t only about protecting yourself. It’s about reducing spread in shared spaces — lecture halls, apartments, gyms, dining halls. UCLA is a dense, interconnected environment. If one person shows up sick to a packed discussion section, that illness doesn’t stay contained. Getting vaccinated becomes less about individual fear and more about collective responsibility.

The broader UCLA health guidance emphasizes that flu vaccination helps reduce serious illness and keeps pressure off hospitals during flu season.  That sounds abstract until you think about what it actually means: fewer overwhelmed healthcare systems, fewer missed opportunities, fewer moments where someone has to choose between resting and keeping up academically. In a community like ours — high-achieving, busy, and constantly stretched — prevention becomes an act of care.

I also think it’s worth saying that flu prevention doesn’t stop at the shot. The Ashe Center’s approach sits within a larger ecosystem of support. Students have access to primary care providers, same-day scheduling through the portal, and even after-hours options if they need care when the center is closed. That safety net matters because flu symptoms don’t follow business hours. Knowing that support exists reduces the hesitation to seek help early instead of waiting until things get worse.

Another piece that often gets overlooked is that UCLA includes flu vaccination as part of its broader immunization expectations — with the option to decline, but with an emphasis on awareness and responsibility. It reflects a balance between individual choice and public health, which feels very aligned with the reality of university life. You’re trusted to make decisions, but you’re also reminded that those decisions exist within a community context.

It’s just another rhythm of campus life — one that we can move through more smoothly when we take simple steps to protect ourselves and each other. The Ashe Center makes those steps straightforward: easy scheduling, clear information, and accessible care options. 

So if you’re reading this and thinking, “I’ll get around to it later,” consider this your gentle reminder. Taking care of yourself isn’t separate from your academic or personal goals — it’s what allows you to show up fully for them. College moves fast, but your health deserves intention. And sometimes the most responsible thing you can do is pause for five minutes, get the shot, and keep moving forward — healthier, lighter, and ready for whatever the quarter throws at you.

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.