Community Resources & Emergency Assistance
We understand that unexpected financial emergencies can happen as a college student - ZipAssist is here to help in any way we can! Please use our site to learn more about potential ways in which our office as well as additional campus resources here at the University of Akron could be of benefit to you.
Submit a Help-A-Zip Referral
If you or another student you know has concern(s) related to academic, mental health, personal/social or recently experienced an unexpected financial emergency, are in distress or have intent to leave UA, please complete a Help-A-Zip referral. A member of our staff will contact the student of concern and work one-on-one to ensure they get the help you need.
I know a student who needs help
Help-A-Zip assists students who:
- Exhibit concerns
- Academic - missed assignments; poor grades on exams, assignments and projects; repeated absences from class, etc.
- Mental health - depression, anxiety, substance dependence, etc.
- Personal/social - relationships, social contentedness, roommate compatibility, homesickness, etc.
- Emergency emergencies - experiencing an unexpected financial hardship.
Other sources for assistance
Call the University of Akron Police Department at any hour at 330-972-2911 or 9-1-1.
UA's Counseling and Testing Center is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 330-972-7082.
You have several options:
- UA Police: Available 24/7 at 330-972-2911
- UA Title IX team: Trained UA staff and faculty that can answer your questions about reporting sexual misconduct
- Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center: Advocates work directly with UA students. The center provides crisis intervention, support, advocacy and other resources to survivors of sexual assault. The center’s 24-hour hotline is 330-374-1111. The center has an office on campus in Room 246 of the Student Recreation & Wellness Center. Call the campus office at 330-972-6328 during normal business hours.
About confidentiality
It is most important for students to know that Mike and the Survivor Resource Center employees are committed to supporting individuals who have experienced sexual violence, but they have different responsibilities as it relates to confidentiality when it comes to reporting an incident.
Here’s what you need to know about how federal and state regulations define reporting responsibilities:
- Conversations with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, are kept as confidential as possible, but information about sexual misconduct incidents must be shared with relevant administrators (and in the case of sexual assault, with law enforcement), so that the university can take any action necessary to protect the safety of the campus community and to comply with Ohio’s crime reporting laws.
- If a person indicates a desire to report a sexual assault to any UA employee, that employee should advise the person about her/his applicable reporting obligations and available confidential resources. A UA employee may have an obligation to report sexual misconduct to law enforcement or a Title IX Coordinator. See more information about reporting obligations.
- Confidential resources on campus available to sexual assault survivors are licensed counselors at UA’s Counseling and Testing Center (330-972-7082) or licensed health professionals at Student Health Services (330-972-7808).
- The team at the Survivor Resource Center are not employees of UA, and do not have the same reporting obligations as University employees. A sexual assault survivor who reaches out to the center can remain anonymous.
Anyone who has experienced sexual assault does not have to file a formal complaint to receive assistance, but will receive information about all of her/his options to keep themselves and the campus safe. All efforts will be made to respect the privacy wishes of victims of sexual assault; however, the university must balance all requests for privacy/confidentiality with the need to provide a safe learning and working environment for all.
We prepared to help any students through the difficult course of actions that are required to recover from a sexual assault.
Related:
- Help for victims of sexual violence (TItle IX)
- Reporting sexual misconduct and sexual assault | Learn about about confidentiality, resources available and how to file a report.
The CARE Team is a University organization that provides guidance and assistance to students who are experiencing crises, displaying odd or unusual behaviors, or are engaging in other behaviors that may be perceived as being harmful (either to the student individually, or to others). CARE stands for Crisis, Assessment, Referral and Evaluation
The CARE Team accepts referrals and responds to students (and their families, faculty, and staff) when concerns for a student’s health, welfare, and safety are identified.
The CARE Team also supports members of the University community who interact with at-risk students by assessing and evaluating situations, communicating with individuals involved or impacted by a student’s behavior, and providing referrals and resources to assist and address behavioral concerns.
Student Health Services provides health care on campus to enrolled students. Appointments are requested. Call 330-972-7808.
Student Health Services is located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Suite 260, 382 Carroll St. Akron, OH 44325-1101.
Visit the Health Services website.
Emergencies after hours
When Student Health Services is closed, students needing immediate medical attention for acute illnesses or injuries may seek care at Akron City Hospital or Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Fees for hospital treatment and/or ambulance transport, if needed, are the responsibility of the student.
See healthcare facilities offering evening and weekend hours within the greater Akron community.
Mental Health information:
The Well Beings campaign created a Mental Health Language Guide.
Suicide prevention:
More than 50 percent of college students admit to having suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.
Typical reasons for college students to attempt suicide include relief from physical or emotional pain, after a relationship break-up, or due to academic struggles. Suicide is preventable. Get help for you or a friend.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Call to find a drug rehab 800-839-1686 or visit sober.com/aa-meetings/ohio/akron/
Help-A-Zip
Community Resources
ZipAssist has partnered with local agencies in Summit County in order to offer a number of resources and programs to assist our students at the University of Akron.
The Salvation Army
ZipAssist and The Salvation Army of Summit County have partnered to offer financial relief, social services, and immediate assistance to students in need.
United Way of Summit County
Through United Way, the City of Akron has launched a community-wide Financial Empowerment Program.
The Financial Coaching will focus on:
- Credit Score Improvement
- Debt Reduction
- Increased Saving and Asset Building
- Banking Access
211 Infoline: Summit County
In order to offer students an extensive and up-to-date list of all available community resources, we have teamed up with 2-1-1 Infoline of Summit County. Their database contains all the details of local services and programs for those in need, and is updated in real time. For anything from clothing, to housing, to medical assistance, students can follow the link below to connect with hundreds of local agencies and programs.