Social and Residential Resources and Support

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) 
Division of Student Affairs (DoSA)
Identification (ID) Cards (OneCard)
Parking on Campus 
Public Safety 
Office of Student Engagement (OSE)
Student Health & Wellness Services

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS services will be offered via both in-person and Telehealth for the 2024-2025 school year, beginning August 26, 2024. CAPS is staffed by clinical social workers, psychologists and a consulting psychiatrist. In the event of an acute psychological crisis, consultation is available by utilizing the CAPS On-Call telephone consultation service, 610-328-7768, which is accessible 24/7 throughout the calendar year.

GROUP & INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

To get connected to services, you must start with an Access Appointment. This 20-25 minute phone consultation will help assess which services are the best fit for you. Beginning August 23, 2024, you may request an Access appointment by completing this form.

Swarthmore College’s Counseling and Psychological Services offers time limited, solution focused Single Session, Group, and Individual counseling based on student’s presenting clinical concerns. Each of these therapy modalities may focus on helping students to effectively manage a discrete challenge or to make a desired change in their life. Individual counseling is typically scheduled on a bi-weekly basis whereas Groups typically meet weekly. A group schedule will be available on the CAPS website at the start of each fall semester.

TIMELYCARE

In order to expand support for students' mental health and well-being, CAPS has partnered with TimelyCare, a virtual mental health care provider. TimelyCare virtual care supports and enhances the resources already available through CAPS by facilitating 24/7/365 seamless access to mental health care. Currently enrolled students can access support from a licensed therapist through video or voice messaging at any time, including outside of regular working hours and during College holidays, and while at home or abroad.  Please note that you are not able to have both a CAPS therapy provider and a TimelyCare therapy provider at the same time. 

All sessions take place on the TimelyCare platform, which is accessible online and through the TimelyCare app. Simply visit timelycare.com/Swarthmore or download the TimelyCare app and log in using your Swarthmore credentials. From there, select the Get Care option, and select a scheduled visit.

Access to psychiatry services will be determined by clinicians at CAPS, based on a student’s clinical needs. If, when working with a student, a clinician or care team member determines that psychiatric care is appropriate, they will provide access to those appointments through TimelyCare, free of charge. The number and frequency of sessions will be determined by the care team in consultation with the student. If you are interested in accessing psychiatry services through TimelyCare and you have already completed a CAPS Access appointment for this academic year, please contact caps@swarthmore.edu. If you have not yet completed a CAPS Access appointment for this academic year, please complete this first step by visiting our Get Connected to CAPS page and clicking the New Clients button.

You can find additional information about accessing both counseling and psychiatric services through TimelyCare on the CAPS website.

ON-DEMAND SUPPORT

TalkNow

The CAPS partnership with TimelyCare also includes unlimited access to TalkNow which is on-demand support from a therapist at any time.TalkNow allows students to connect with a licensed provider by phone or video in less than five minutes, to talk through any concerns they may have. TalkNow providers are there to offer a compassionate, non-judgemental ear to listen to worries or stressors. There are no session limits for the TalkNow service – students can call as many times as needed for concerns of any nature. Although TalkNow providers can help navigate a crisis, the service does not replace CAPS On-Call. TalkNow is available on the TimelyCare platform. To access TalkNow, log onto timelycare.com/Swarthmore or download the TimelyCare app and log in using your Swarthmore credentials. Then, select the Get Care option, where you can select a scheduled visit or a TalkNow visit.

CAPS ON CALL

As always, CAPS On-Call is also available for consultation 24 hours a day, every day of the year at 610-328-7768. There are multiple types of services available for urgent mental health needs. View available resources.

Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) supports the holistic development of students through providing experiences and services that contribute to their overall learning in and out of the classroom, enhances the student experience at the College, and prepares students for life after graduation.

The Division of Student Affairs oversees the academic support, residential, and social resources available to students at the College. Students are encouraged to reach out to the staff of the Division of Student Affairs for academic affairs and support, disability services, and specialized advising for students interested in pre-med and pre-law preparation. The division also oversees diversity, inclusion and community development initiatives on behalf of students, including supporting resources such as the Office of Student Engagement, the Black Cultural Center, and the Intercultural Center. The Division of Student Affairs attends to the health and wellbeing
 of students through the Student Health and Wellness Center and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Students wishing to pursue fellowships and prizes or who are seeking the support of career services should also turn to DoSA. Finally, the Division of Student Affairs is responsible for managing the student conduct process for students.

Identification Cards (OneCard)

Student identification cards (OneCard) are issued by the OneCard Office. In addition to the traditional plastic OneCard, students can now add the Digital OneCard to their device mobile wallet. If a Digital OneCard is provisioned, the plastic OneCard will be deactivated and will not have a functional use other than as an identification card. Lost plastic OneCards can be replaced for a $15 fee at the OneCard Office. After-hours assistance related to a defective, lost, or stolen OneCard (plastic or digital) can be obtained at the Public Safety Office (Benjamin West House).

Admission to the dining hall, large-scale campus events, registered parties, and other student social events may require a valid College OneCard for admittance. OneCards may be checked at the door of these and other events/locations by event hosts, or College staff. At events where guests are allowed, Swarthmore students may be permitted one (1) guest, who must be signed in with the name of both the host and guest recorded at the door of the event. Guests are required to present a valid state-issued driver’s license or ID. Guests under the age of 18 are generally not permitted at all-campus events or events registered with alcohol.

Swarthmore OneCards are not transferable. Loaning your OneCard to another individual for use at Sharples Dining Hall or any College function is prohibited and individuals may be fined $35 and/or face violations of the student code of conduct. Misused OneCards will be confiscated and returned only on application to the Student Life division.

Upon request, students are obligated to provide College personnel with accurate identification and must present their OneCard when requested. A student may not knowingly provide false information or make misrepresentations to any College office. The Swarthmore Police Department will accept a Swarthmore College OneCard as proof of identification, except when a driver’s license is required for operating a motor vehicle. The plastic OneCard by default has the preferred name printed on the front, but will have the legal name printed on the back of the card. Students can request to have your plastic card printed without your legal name, however this would not be accepted by the Swarthmore Police Department or as a formal ID for voting purposes.

In addition, forgery, alteration, or unauthorized possession or use of College documents, records, or instruments of identification, or forged or fraudulent communications (paper or electronic mail) are prohibited and subject to referral to the student conduct process. 

Parking on Campus

All members of the campus community (faculty, staff, students, and visitors) are expected to follow the College's parking and transportation policies. These policies are enacted in order to increase campus safety and to preserve parking for Swarthmore College employees and students who are issued permits. The Department of Public Safety oversees all aspects of parking on campus including permit applications/distributions, fines, and revocations. 

There are a limited number of parking spaces on campus for current students. For reasons of sustainability and community, students are not allowed to bring a car to Swarthmore College without explicit approval from the Department of Public Safety. Approximately 160 parking permits are set aside for members of the student body with extenuating needs or circumstances that will require a car. The number of student permit requests usually outnumbers the spaces we have set aside for students. As such, student parking permit applications will be prioritized by established and existing criteria: class year, extenuating need, and special medical accommodations. The cost for a permit is $125 for the academic year. A limited number of long-term parking permits for Myers Avenue are available for purchase through the Swarthmore Borough. Additional information is available at the Borough Hall Administration Office located at 121 Park Avenue, or using this link.

Students should not plan on bringing a car to campus unless they receive explicit permission to do so. Parking regulations are enforced at all times during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Students found in violation of campus transportation policies may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and will be subject to citations/fines as outlined below.

Student Cars without Permits Parked Anywhere on Campus at Any Time
For non-permitted student cars parked on campus, including in faculty-staff-permit spaces, student-permit spaces, handicapped-accessible spaces, or visitor spaces, Public Safety will issue a citation. After one citation, the car will be issued a Boot/Tow Notice, and will be booted or towed at the next infraction.

Student Cars with Student Permits Parked in Spaces Other Than Assigned Student Lot
A student permit allows the student to park only within the assigned student parking lot at all times. Student permits do not allow students to ‘commute’ to campus from their assigned parking lot for any reason including athletic practices/matches, or due to running late to class. Students are encouraged to plan accordingly and utilize the Garnet Shuttle for transportation around campus. Public Safety is also available for walking safety escorts 24 hours a day if the shuttle is not operating. If a vehicle with a student permit is parked in any other space, including faculty-staff spaces or visitor spaces, Public Safety will issue a citation. After one citation, the car will be issued a Boot/Tow Notice, and will be booted or towed at the next infraction. Booting and/or towing will also include an evaluation for the revocation of parking privileges.

Cars Towed Immediately in Cases of Compromised Safety or Accessibility
In the case of a car parked in a fire lane, loading zone, signed accessible space, or in any case where there is a safety or accessibility issue, the car will be towed immediately at owner/operator’s expense. Public Safety will not wait for multiple tickets to accrue.

Fines:

• $20 fine for the following infractions: 
  • Prohibited Parking by Sign or Yellow Line
  • Overtime timed zone
  • Blocking a crosswalk, driveway, dumpster or other vehicle
  • Parking while permit is suspended or revoked
  • Taking two parking spaces for a single vehicle
  • Failure to obtain or display a parking permit as instructed
  • Parking in other than an authorized lot or space
• $50 fine for the following infractions: 
  • Exceeding posted speed limit
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving/parking on sidewalks or grass
  • Parking in a fire lane or zone
  • Disobeying a traffic control device or barrier
  • Parking in roadway (including Parrish East and West Circles and the Lang/LPAC Circle)
  • Vehicle Booted
• $100 fine for the following infractions: 
  • Blocking a fire hydrant, fire escape, or exit
  • Blocking/Parking in a signed handicapped-accessible parking space or ramp
  • Removal of boot
  • Towing fine (not including fees from towing company)

Citation Fine Payment and Adjudication
Drivers have 30 days to pay a citation fine. Fines are discounted 20% if paid within 5 days of issue. If a student’s fine is not paid within 30 days, the fine will be added to the student’s account. The student may not graduate until all fines are paid in full. Matriculating students may not be approved for a parking permit the next academic year if they have unpaid citations.

Public Safety officers will boot the vehicle at the next infraction when a student accrues one of the following: a boot/tow notice; three unpaid citations; $100 or more in outstanding fines. To have a boot removed, the driver must pay the boot-removal fine of $100 and all outstanding parking fines. If a student with a permit accrues three or more citations, or is booted/towed, that student’s permit may be suspended for the remainder of the academic year. Permit revocation decisions are typically based on the accumulation of three violations that have been un-appealed or unsuccessfully appealed and/or repeated wanton disregard for parking regulations. All decisions are final.

Small Motorized Vehicle E-Scooters, Hoverboards, and E-Skateboards
Due to safety concerns, small motorized vehicles, including e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-skateboards, are not permitted for use on campus. The use, storage, and charging of these lithium battery-powered devices on Swarthmore College property is prohibited.

E-bikes are permitted on campus, provided that users follow all applicable traffic regulations, remain on main roadways and off of campus pathways when possible, and remain at a safe distance from pedestrians. E-bikes may not be stored or charged inside any campus buildings, and you must lock your property to the outdoor bike-racks. Bikes must be parked parallel to the rack and must not prevent people from using the sidewalk or walkway. Bikes may not block any entrance to a campus building. If a bike is locked to any other bike parked at the rack, it may result in the cutting of the lock and the confiscation of the bike. E-bike batteries that are detachable from e-bikes are not permitted to be charged inside campus buildings.

Electric mobility aids for individuals with disabilities will be permitted on campus with prior approval by the Student Disability Services Office (studentdisabilityservices@swarthmore.edu). 

Any violation of this policy may result in confiscation of your vehicle, a violation fine, and/or referral to the College’s Student Code of Conduct. 

Guests of the College could be fined and/or banned from use of campus grounds and facilities.  

Public Safety

Swarthmore’s Public Safety Department operates 24/7/365 and is fully committed to providing a physically and emotionally safe and healthy campus for the entire community. Uniformed officers patrol buildings and grounds, respond to emergencies, educate the community about crime prevention, and provide individual safety escorts upon request. Public Safety also offers self-defense and CPR certification classes to the community, regularly meets with RAs, Area Coordinators (AC), Office of Student Engagement, and others from around campus to discuss safety issues, and strives to be a sought out resource through thoughtful interactions and attendance at community events. The Department of Public Safety utilizes a Community Resource Officer Program. This program partners one officer to every residential/academic/administrative building on campus to be the point contact person for issues regarding safety, requests for non-emergency assistance with programming, feedback on experiences with the department, and collaborative efforts to engage the community.

The Department’s GARNET Safety Program includes free apps for smartphone devices such as SwatSafe which, when activated, sends audio, video, and a GPS location to the Department’s Communication Center. Visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and search SwatSafe to get started. In addition, there are Garnet Towers located throughout the campus which are illuminated with a blue light and are placed in specific outdoor spaces for your safety to report or request assistance from Public Safety. Information on both is available on the Public Safety website.

For general questions or to learn more about safety and education initiatives please call ext. 8281 on campus or 610-328-8281 from off campus. All emergencies should be reported to Public Safety’s emergency telephone line, ext. 8333 on campus or 610-328-8333 from off campus. Any crime or suspected crime should be reported immediately to Public Safety. The Department of Public Safety works closely with Swarthmore Borough Police, who may also respond to campus for major incidents or aid in the investigation of crimes. All community members are strongly urged to save the Emergency Phone Number into their mobile phones for ease of use.

Public Safety works vigorously to comply with the spirit and letter of federal laws that govern campus safety and security. More information about these laws and our annual reports of information about crime on and around campus can be found at https://www.swarthmore.edu/public-safety/annual-fire-safety-security-report, with detailed statistics contained in the Annual Fire Safety and Security Report under Federal Safety Information - Clery Act on the same site.

Public Safety is located in Benjamin West House, and serves as the visitor center and central phone operator for the College.

The Department strives to educate and partner with the community and instill the concept that safety is our shared responsibility. Members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to report suspicious conditions or persons as quickly as possible, and always remember, if you see something, say something.

Office of Student Engagement (OSE)

Swarthmore College is committed to student learning in and out of the classroom and thus supports the personal and leadership development of students through extracurricular activities. Policies and regulations described below are established by the Student Life department and the Office of Student Engagement. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the policies and rules concerning conduct in the residence halls and activities on campus.

Swarthmore’s housing philosophy is based on the belief that residence-hall living enhances education by contributing to an individual’s academic, social, and personal development. If residential communities are to provide an environment for personal growth, residents must accept responsibility for their own actions and demonstrate respect for the rights and concerns of others and for the property of the College.

Acceptance of space in College housing constitutes a knowledge of, willingness, and agreement to abide by these housing policies. Living in College housing is a privilege and not a right. The Student Life department and/or Office of Student Engagement may, at any time and at its own discretion, withdraw this privilege due to behavior, which does not rise to the standards outlined below. Students who lose their housing privileges are not typically entitled to a refund of their room and board charges for the remaining weeks of the semester.

While college is a time for learning, we recognize the importance of socializing and growing your community. As members of the larger Swarthmore community, we expect students to treat each other and campus spaces with respect. By reserving space on campus, and registering your event, constitutes a knowledge of, willingness, and agreement to abide by these event policies. Members of our clubs and organizations on campus are considered members of the community as well, constituting the same level of knowledge, willingness and agreement to abide by event and organizational related policies. 

Residential Life policies. 

Student Health & Wellness Services

Student Health & Wellness Services is located in the Worth Health Center. Hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00AM – 4:45PM and Friday 9:00AM – 4:00PM during the academic year. An after hours registered nurse on call is available when the Health Center is closed. This registered nurse is not affiliated with Swarthmore College and is available to triage or answer medical concerns. The on call nurse does not have access to health information or administrative information held in the Student Health Center. All students must call the Health Center during normal operating hours to schedule an appointment to be seen. Appointments are available to visit a collaborative team of clinicians. Student Health and Wellness supports the needs of our diverse student body by providing individualized holistic care and campus-wide education, in keeping with the broader mission of facilitating a productive and rewarding college experience.  Students experiencing emergencies and/or severe medical issues should be evaluated and treated at a local hospital network (i.e., Patient First Urgent Care or Main Line Health System).

Services offered: acute care, alcohol and other drug counseling, allergy injections, first aid treatment, flu vaccine clinics, health and wellness promotion, interpersonal relationship education, nutrition counseling, referral services, reproductive health services, simple diagnostic screenings, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings, travel health consultations, violence prevention services and well visits. Students have the right to expect that all aspects of care will be treated as confidential. Unless permitted by law, information is not shared with parents or family medical providers without the explicit permission of the student. In the case of threat to life of self or others, information will be shared with persons listed as emergency contacts as well as with relevant College officials.

Visits to the Student Health & Wellness Center are free of charge. Lab specimens are sent to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp and are billed by the lab to the student’s health insurance. The student health insurance plan generally covers 90% of most lab fees and students are responsible for the remaining balance. Please be aware of your individual insurance coverage policy. A nominal fee is charged for simple rapid result diagnostic tests and some medications dispensed at the Student Health & Wellness Center.

The Swarthmore College Student Health Portal is available to manage needs and forms. The Student Health Portal is accessed through your MySwarthmore account. Click on Worth Health Center, click on Student Health Portal and scroll to click on Swarthmore College, log on using your Swarthmore user ID and password.

Incoming Student Health Requirements
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education, Swarthmore College requires all students to be in compliance with the health requirements outlined below. Completion is due by June 30th and necessary to be eligible for a new student housing assignment and access to roommate information.

Immunizations:

1. COVID-19 vaccine series and one booster.  Initial series of Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca-CoviShield, Sinopharm-VeroCell, or Sinovac-Coronavac PLUS one booster with a mRNA booster vaccine. 
2. Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP). Four doses of DTP and a tetanus booster (Tdap) within the last ten years is required.
3. Hepatitis A. Two doses are recommended.
4. Hepatitis B vaccine. Three doses in childhood or two doses of adult vaccine, or a positive Hepatitis B surface antibody is required.
5. Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR). Two doses are required at least 28 days apart after 12 months of age. Vaccination for each of these individually is acceptable according to (specified schedule). Titers showing adequate immunity are also acceptable.  
6. Meningococcal B vaccine. Series completion is recommended in consultation with your healthcare provider.
7. Meningococcal vaccine (MenACYW). One dose is required at age 16 or older.   
8. Polio. Three doses of oral or four doses of injectable vaccine are required.  
9. Varicella vaccine. Two doses or healthcare provider documentation of proof of Chickenpox disease (date) is required.

Unvaccinated students must complete a waiver form.

Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire
Completed by the student and their medical provider and submitted prior to arrival at Swarthmore. If indicated by the responses on your form, the IGRA blood test (“quantiferon gold”) must be completed, regardless of BCG vaccination status, prior to arrival on campus and results uploaded to your student health portal.

Physical Examination
Completed by your medical provider and submitted prior to arrival at Swarthmore College. Must be completed in the 12 months leading up to arrival on campus. First page of the form must be completed by all students.  In addition to the first page of the form, the second page of the physical form must be completed by all student athletes.

Health Certificate
Completed by the student on the Student Health Portal. Must be completed in the 12 months leading up to arrival on campus. 

We understand that some students reside in locations that do not have certain immunizations available. In those circumstances, it is vital that students send a secure message through the Student Health Portal and remain in communication with the nursing staff from the Student Health Center. Showing engagement in the health requirement process will result in a student remaining in good standing. Failure to communicate and follow through with nurse recommendations and immunization appointments may result in a conduct violation and possible hold on your ability to register for classes

Health Center staff do not communicate with faculty members or others about missed classes, activities, or assignments. Students must give permission for the Health Center staff to be in touch with the student's dean, who will communicate with professors or other relevant community members for long term illnesses. These communications indicate that the student is under the care of a medical professional and will be in touch once they are ready to resume work or classes. Student Deans can help students strategize ways to make up work and to approach faculty members or others about their situation.

All students must be covered by a health insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements established by the College. The College offers a student health insurance plan for purchase by students. Annually, all students are enrolled in the student health insurance plan (SHIP) and may waive out of the plan if they meet the requirements and provide proof of insurance.