When students are struggling, sometimes going to Heath Services or Financial Aid or speaking with a professor is not enough to fix a problem.

Sometimes a student must venture elsewhere to get what they need.

Many options that a student might not have thought about are around campus to make sure they get help.

The Writing Center

The Writing Center, located on the third floor of Coleman Hall, gives students a chance to bring in a paper they may be having trouble with.

Gina LoBianco, a graduate assistant who works for the Writing Center, said while the Writing Center will not proofread a paper for a student, they are there to help students with the development of the paper.

“We work with writers to develop ideas,” she said.

The people that work at the Writing Center want to help students with the writing process, LoBianco said.

While the Writing Center is affiliated with the English department, all majors are welcome to come in. Sessions last about 40 minutes.

To make an appointment or for more information, students can call 581-5929 or can go to the website at www.eiu.edu/~writing.

Student Legal Services

If a student is in need of legal advice, they may need to go to the Student Legal Service, located on the third floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union above the Food Court.

Stephen Davis, attorney at law for the Student Legal Service, said he tries to help students but does not always represent them in court.

“I’ll try to give advice on any legal problem,” Davis said.

Most of the cases Davis helps students with involve underage drinking, other drinking cases not involved with underage drinking and cases with off-campus housing.

Any full-time student can go to the Student Legal Service.

For more information, students can call 581-6054 or email cfwsd@eiu.edu.

SACIS

The Sexual Assault Counseling Information Services, located in the basement of Lawson Hall, is an organization that helps students, all of Coles County and five other counties with cases of sexual assault.

Bonnie Buckley, the executive director of SACIS, said the organization does a lot to help people who have been the victim of a sexual assault.

“We provide counseling services to people who have been victimized,” Buckley said.

Along with counseling, the 24 hour service will go with a person who has been sexually assaulted to the hospital if need be.

They also make referrals to other agencies, go through court procedures with someone, will be advocates with the police and will help someone file a civil no-connect order.

This, like a restraining order, makes sure that the suspected assaulter does not contact someone who has been sexually assaulted or is in fear of being assaulted, and this is a court order.

All services provided are free of charge.

“We feel if someone is victimized from a crime, they shouldn’t have to pay for the crime,” Buckley said.

For more information or for help, students may call the office at 348-5033 or can call the toll free hotline 24 hours a day at 1-888-345-2846.

HERC

The Health Education Resource Center, located on the third floor of the Student Services Building, offers free advice on a number of different health topics including sexual health, financial health, substance abuse, stress relief and time management.

Ryan Messinger, assistant director for heath education and promotion, said that HERC helps students with “anything that keeps a person healthy and well.”

While the HERC may be most known for the Rubber Lovers program, which allows students to receive free condoms every month, the HERC also gives one-on-one consultation for those that quit smoking, and can help students with weight issues and nutrition.

All students can meet with one of seven graduate assistants or one of four professional staff.

“We always encourage everyone to make an appointment,” Messinger said.

Students can call 581-7786 or go to www.eiu.edu/~herc for more information.

Courtney Bruner can be reached at 581-7942 or dennewsdesk@gmail.com