When thinking on how to improve staff counseling, head of the counseling department Barb Nelson said the department will now start focusing on what body of students come into the Counseling Office.

“One of the things we wanted to look at was student usage of the counseling office,” Nelson said.“We know that kids are in here all the time and are stopping in to see people with their questions. It’s really really busy, and we have no way of proving that.”

Nelson said in the future students will be required to check in to the counseling office. But doing so the counseling department will be able to see which students are coming in and utilizing the services.

“Something new that we’re trying for students is to make an appointment time with who you’re seeing by checking off little boxes,” Nelson said. “In another month we’re going to analyze the data and student feedback and find out what it tells us and if we want to keep using the system.”

Junior Ian McIntyre says he frequently visits the counseling office but has mixed emotions about the new changes.

“I really like the counseling office because I always get help when I’m there, however, the new computer system messes up kids, especially me, because I much rather prefer human interaction,” McIntyre said.

Nelson said their new purpose in altering the counseling office is to ensure students have a better experience when visiting as opposed to simply counting the students who walk in.

“We’re not necessarily trying to prove anything, but to have the data back up what we say as well as looking at who we’re serving in terms of student population,” Nelson said. “We’re also trying to focus on issues of racial equity and making sure we service all kids, so we’re just trying to take a lookout for what that would look like for us.”

McIntyre said the more comfortable a student is the more likely they are to use the counseling office.

“I think it truly (depends on) the students and it (really depends on) whether they believe they can discuss their issues,” McIntyre said.