History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 54

54 official name was formally changed to the simpler and more easily accessible Counseling Center, a name that endured another 20 years. As the campus population diversified and grew in numbers, the demand for direct services increased as well often without additional commensurate resources. At the same time, the need for crisis intervention, outreach, and consultation activities expanded. Over the years, UF continued to grow in size and complexity. New challenges in mental health services emerged, and creative solutions were developed to address them. Several strategies were devised to address growing waiting lists of students requesting counseling, an issue mirrored in counseling centers across the country. The Counseling Center moved towards brief or timelimited therapy, an increase in the use of small group treatment, and a greater awareness of human resource management. Self-help audio tapes, first created in 1978, were enhanced for students to phone in and listen to a variety of topics. In 1980, the Counseling Center obtained accreditation by the International Association of Counseling Services, the accrediting body for university and college counseling centers. The accreditation process, which occurs every four years, assures regular self-study and external review by peers, and adherence to the highest standards of service delivery. Spring 1982, the Counseling Center celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with a reunion of past interns and faculty from around the country; an “Elmer Hinckley Fun Run” named after the Bureau of Vocational Guidance and Mental Hygiene’s founding director; and a day of professional continuing education open to the campus. Special outreach programs were organized for students campus-wide. The student workshops included: Male-Female Relationships; Exploration of Personality Types and Work Environments; Assertiveness in Relationships; Coming Out: Counseling Gay Students; Couples Communication; and Staff Development for Residence Hall Advisors. The continuing education for professionals included nationally recognized experts presenting on: Current Issues in Student Affairs; The Meanings of Sex; Black Student Development; Aggressions; The Increase of Violent and Acting Out Behavior; and The Impact of Changing Sex Roles. Although the formal conference program was organized over 30 years ago, the content remains remarkably current. It reflects a longterm commitment by Counseling Center faculty to address cutting edge issues in college student mental health. H i st o ry o f t h e U F D S A