Student Health Services Commission
Mission Statement:
The SHS Commission connects students with campus health services, gathers feedback about students’ experiences, and advocates for accessible, responsive resources that support student well-being.
Our Resources:
Proposed Initiatives:
Menstrual Product Accessibility Program (MPAP)
The MPAP subcommission aims to foster menstrual equity by increasing accessibility to free menstrual products for all menstruators on campus.
Proposed Projects:
Increase menstrual product dispensers across campus
Create kits containing menstrual products for off-campus students
Collaborate with campus organizations (Deeds Not Words, Period@Rice) for outreach events
Host health events with speakers
Nutrition
The nutrition subcommission strives to increase students’ awareness of healthy food options and eating habits across campus.
Proposed Projects:
Increase healthy late-night food options on campus
Meal Swipe Donation Program (with Student Success Initiatives and Rice Housing and Dining): Increase the number of meal swipes to be donated to students
Receive accurate allergen labels on food options in serveries
Increase the number of healthy dessert options
Host a healthy snacking event during finals week
Outreach/Visibility
The outreach/visibility subcommission serves to spread awareness about different aspects of health. It also serves to market and advertise Student Health Services.
Proposed Projects:
Expand awareness for student health, including services provided in Student Health Services
Create a website/text service for students to make online appointments at Student Health Services
Create a guide for the types of insurance and how students can maximize benefits from their insurance plan (ex: wellness and preventive health services such as free annual exams, and routine checkups)
Host a gratitude tree event in conjunction with the Nutrition subcommittee’s healthy snacking event
Collaborate with Rice Escape to promote awareness regarding student health
Commission Board
Co-Chair
Olivia Seo
This is Olivia's third year chairing this commission, where she, with Jake, works to make conversations about student health easier and more approachable. She supports her commission members by helping connect resources, managing logistics, and being a mentor. Olivia wants the general Rice population to know that she is always an available resource if they have any questions about health or anything else. Her goal is to help students feel heard, supported, and more comfortable navigating the resources available to them.
Email: os22@rice.edu
Co-Chair
Jake Pessin
As Co-Chair of the Student Health Services Commission, Jake works to make conversations about student health easier and more approachable. He helps gather feedback, hear students’ concerns, and communicate with campus partners about ways Rice’s health services can better support students. Jake knows that finding resources or speaking up about health concerns can sometimes feel overwhelming, so he wants students to know they can always come talk to him. At the end of the day, he is a student too, and he understands that campus health services should reflect students’ real experiences and needs. His goal is to help students feel heard, supported, and more comfortable navigating the resources available to them.
Email: jp231@rice.edu
Vice Chair
Lakshmi Aravindan
Hello! My name is Lakshmi Aravindan, and I’m a junior at Lovett College majoring in Biosciences and minoring in Medical Humanities from Dallas, TX. I’ve been on the commission since freshman year and have worked primarily under the Reproductive Product Accessibility Program (RPAP), formerly the Menstrual Product Accessibility Program (MPAP). I’ve worked to oversee the menstrual product dispensers across campus and improve access to reproductive products. Outside of RSA, I love to read, animate, and hang out with my friends. I’m excited to help lead the commission, develop our subcommittees, and look forward to the new projects and initiatives we’ll bring to campus this upcoming year!
Email: la61@rice.edu