Debra L. Hammond, Executive Director:

Every two years, CSUN has an opportunity to participate in the National Collegiate Health Association assessment and it really measures impediments that impact students’ ability to do well in the classroom. One of the things that we noticed is that students’ lack of sleep as well as their inability to manage their stress, negatively impacts their academic performance. We worked together to develop a solution and what we actually came up with was the Oasis Wellness Center.

Jimmy Francis, Director, Student Recreation Center

Well, like most things with the student union, the wellness center took some time to get started. Conversations started in the early 2000s, when folks started to look at the results from the National College Health Assessment, that’s done by the Klotz Student Health Center every two years, and was showing that students here were struggling with sleep and stress. So fast forward to 2011, a collaboration started between the Klotz Student Health Center, College of Human Health and Development, University Counseling Services and us, the student union, to put together a white paper that really propelled the project forward.

One of the most important moments for the creation of the Oasis was the board approval. So, having the University Student Union Board of Directors approve the project, both the scope, the design, the funding; because without the money we couldn’t have done the project, so that was a big one.

Sandra Salute, Assistant Director, Fitness and Wellness:

I think some of the most important moments in the creation of the Oasis were getting the students involved. Asking their opinion on different names for the different spaces, different ideas, different programming. I think that’s where it was most exciting to see the Oasis develop.

Jimmy:

Well at the Oasis there’s a lot of different things to do. I think one of the best things to do is just come and relax and detach from campus. We offer educational workshops and programs. Through the Klotz Student Health Center, we also offer massage and acupuncture and other services like that. Of coarse through HH and D we have our peer nutrition counselors and, gosh, we have many more things we offer as well.

I think the napping program at the wellness center is my favorite program that we’re offering. Last Spring, we almost did 2500 naps. Students can sign up in advance and schedule a nap. We’ve heard from them on various different things — it’s helping them stay awake in night classes, helping them feel more refreshed throughout the day. It’s a really unique program that many universities have reached out to us to learn more about. It’s something we’re very proud, of kind of being on the cutting edge. This program, along with others, have really shown us how the Oasis is already making immense impact on the physical health and well-being of CSUN students.

Imani Fulwilder, Student Wellness Center Assistant:

As a student, my early experience was probably like any other student at CSUN. I came in wanting to learn more about what the facility offered. I booked a peer nutrition counseling appointment and after that appointment I realized that there was so much more to offer here.

Guillermo Perez, Operations Assistant, Oasis Wellness Center:

I see students at the Oasis Wellness Center come in stressed out, unfocused. A lot of the times they want to just sleep, so it’s really nice to see them leave rejuvenated and relaxed and be able to feel like they can accomplish their day.

Imani:

The transition from a patron to an employee has been so rewarding. Being a part of the USU, I’ve met so many amazing people. I’ve built so many great connections with both my co-workers and the patrons that come through the Oasis. It’s just a great feeling knowing that you’re making a difference within the CSUN community. I do still come here and study. When I am on campus and I’m not in class, I’m most likely here either relaxing or in a nap pod or having a quiet place to study.

Guillermo:

The Oasis Wellness Center has affected me positively. I would like to say I’m more focused now. Working here at the Oasis has made me have a bigger appreciation for personal wellness and I think I take that with me when I enter the classroom setting.

Imani:

I do get massages here. I do get acupuncture. It’s definitely made a huge difference in my life. I see the difference after I get a massage how my stress level goes down and how my back feels after I have acupuncture. It really does make a difference and I feel like every student should definitely take advantage of the services here. I feel like the fact that CSUN has a facility that focuses specifically on stress relief is what’s so important and that’s what makes the Oasis an amazing place.

Guillermo:

What makes the Oasis Wellness Center so special is the students. It’s having a safe, inclusive space for students to come and relax and then leave to succeed.

Debra:

The purpose of the Oasis Wellness Center is to really teach students lifelong habits that they can utilize to help manage wellness. Things like understanding how much sleep you actually need, understanding the ability to manage your stress effectively so that it can have a positive impact in the classroom but also in life in general.