Health Checklist for Parents of New CU Students
Fall 2008
Required Health Forms - due 9/3/08
All new students are required to turn in three health forms:
Immunizations
Proof Required by State of Colorado:
2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Recommended:
Annual flu shot - offered October 30 & 31, 2008 in the UMC
Health Insurance
Be sure to select your health plan coverage by September 3, 2008. If you elect to keep your student covered under your own insurance plan, make sure he/she has a copy of the insurance card.
First Aid Supplies
Pack a plastic bag with a basic first aid kit so your student can take care of himself / herself in the event of minor injury or illness. Include things such as:
Bandages and antibiotic ointment
Pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil
Medications for a cold like cough drops, nasal spray, and vitamin C
Medical Records and Prescriptions
If your student has any chronic medical problems, it is a good idea to have your primary care provider send Wardenburg a summary of care, needed interventions, any restrictions on activity, and medications used. Contact Disability Services if the problem involves a disability at 303.492.8671 (web site >>).
It is important for your student to know about his or her own personal health, including:
Medications (doses, frequency, and why they are taken)
Allergies to medications and foods
Significant family medical history
For convenience, you can also transfer your student's on-going prescriptions to the pharmacy at Wardenburg Health Center. Contact them at 303.492.8553.
How old is your student?
If your student is under the age of 18, you need to submit an Authorization for Treatment of a Minor form prior to their arrival on campus. This allows your student to be seen at Wardenburg for routine care or in the event of an emergency.
If your student is 18 or older, know that he or she is legally an adult - both responsible for their care and billing, and entitled to confidentiality of their health record. With some exceptions as permitted by law, Wardenburg cannot release information about diagnoses, care, appointment history, or billing information without patient consent.
Pre-College Health Exam
While not required by the university, this is a great chance to make sure that your student’s health history is up-to-date. It is also important for you, your student, and the clinician to review medical concerns that may affect your student’s school performance such as smoking, drinking, drug use, eating disorders, sexual history, and mental health concerns. Don’t forget to request a copy of the student’s immunization history, or bring the university’s immunization form to the appointment.
“Start Talking Now and Don’t Stop”
A college freshmen is essentially a high school senior without parents around. New students are usually enthralled with the instant freedom they have in college and excited about the new friends they are making. The vast majority of college students do well academically and stay physically and mentally healthy; however, too many students today stumble into high-risk behaviors and situations, unaware of the dangers and consequences.
Very soon you are going to lose whatever control you have of your adolescent’s daily behavior, but you can still have influence. While you will not be the only influence in your adolescent’s life, you can be the best influence.
Don’t assume that your son or daughter knows how you feel about difficult topics such as underage drinking, drug use, and ‘hooking up’ (e.g., sexual encounters). Believe it or not, your son or daughter wants to know where you stand. Start talking now and don’t stop, even if your college-bound child seems to be tuning you out.
- from The Healthy Student: A Parent's Guide to Preparing Teens for the College Years, published by the Society for Adolescent Medicine (see brochure >>)
