Each student is assigned an administrative advisor. The dean of First-year students serves as administrative adviser for all first-year students. Students are reassigned to one of several upperclass administrative advisers for the remainder of their Colgate careers. These advisers typically answer questions on graduation requirements, class attendance, personal or academic leaves of absence, withdrawal from the university, disciplinary matters, or emergencies or problems that may have an impact on academic work. In addition, personal problems may also be discussed, and the adviser may contact others in the Colgate community to assist the student in resolving these problems.

The Student Health Service offers confidential care for all medical illnesses, treatment of injuries, and routine gynecological care. And while most visits are for minor medical illnesses and can be handled in one or two visits, the staff also monitors and treats chronic health problems. Students also turn to the familiarity of Health Services for counseling and information on sexual health, nutrition and eating disorders, health, exercise, and wellness.

The Student Health Center is open seven days a week and is staffed by a physician, physician assistants, and nurses. The main Health Center is open daily (including weekends), and the staff is on call after hours. A satellite Student Health Service clinic, located in Curtis Hall, is open weekday afternoons. Evening emergency care is available at nearby Community Memorial Hospital.

There are no direct charges to students for Health Center services, and many medications are dispensed at no charge. Laboratory tests and X-rays are available at Community Memorial Hospital. There are several subspecialists (surgeons, orthopedists, dentists, etc.) in the local area; other subspecialists are available within a 50-mile distance. Colgate does not assume financial responsibility for those services not available at the Student Health Center (medications, consultations with specialists, emergency room visits, laboratory tests, X-rays, or hospitalizations). These costs must be paid by health insurance or personal funds.

All students must be in compliance with New York State health regulations concerning immunization against various infectious diseases (measles, German measles, mumps, etc.).

Located in Conant House and situated in a quiet glen on campus, this important university service is staffed by psychologists, social workers, and a credentialed addictions counselor.

Students using the services at Conant House present us with a variety of issues, including the predictable developmental and transitional issues of late adolescence and specific concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, eating disorders and body image issues, bereavement, and alcohol and other substance use/abuse problems. The vast majority of clients are self-referred. Both individual and group therapy are offered by our professional staff.

There is no fee for service, nor does the counseling and psychological service limit the number of visits per student. Students typically come in for weekly sessions until their issues are resolved. The medical and psychological services of the university are not intended for long-term intensive treatment. All counseling/psychotherapy services are provided confidentially. The Counseling Center staff provide an after-hours emergency service for students in crisis during the academic year.

Each residential complex on campus is managed by a student Head Resident (HR) who supervises a staff of three to seven student Resident Advisers (RAs). Among other duties, HRs and RAs offer informal peer counseling and advising. The student staff members are trained and supervised by three professional assistant directors of residential life with graduate degrees who reside on campus. There is a student staff member and a professional staff member on call each night to handle emergencies.

Every year, students receive a pamphlet with a list of faculty members, administrators, and students available to offer informal advice and referral. Ultimately, steps taken in the event of sexual harassment can range from informal mediation in which no records are kept all the way to the filing of a formal complaint.