All services at Student Health, Counseling, and Well-Being are supportive and non-judgmental.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Student Medical Services (SMS) provides the following information to educate and support students who may choose to be sexually active regardless of identity and sexual orientation.
- Student Health, Counseling, and Well-Being will accompany you on your educational journey providing support along the way. Our professional staff can work directly with you to meet individual healthcare needs including referrals to off-campus providers and resources, if appropriate.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Student Medical Services (SMS) offers free counseling, support and answers to any questions, concerns and general inquiries regarding sexual health.
- Sexual well-being education is a lifelong process that is filled with discovering your beliefs and values based on identity, relationships and intimacy.
- To reduce the risk of passing sexually transmitted infections, it is important to be knowledgeable, clear and respectful of you and your partner's values when deciding to be sexually active.
What We Offer
Gynecological Health
Available services include PAP smears, STI testing, breast exams, attending to minor vaginal complaints, pregnancy tests and general women's health exams.
Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
Any student at Santa Clara University can be examined and tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). All examinations include lab results. SMS staff can assist in getting proper treatment such as prescriptions for the infection if the test is positive.
A urine test is a simple but reliable way of detecting STI infections. To prepare, we ask that you not urinate for at least one hour prior to giving your sample.
Learn more about up-to-date, accurate information about STIs and safer sex.
Pregnancy Testing
SMS offers free urine pregnancy tests as well as pregnancy blood tests for a small fee.
Visit our Fee page for information on various costs and lab services.
Contraception Methods
Practitioners in Student Medical Services can prescribe birth control pills for hormone-related issues. Given SCU's Catholic identity, clinic staff do not prescribe birth control for the purpose of preventing pregnancy, nor Plan B.
For additional information refer to Contraception and Birth Control Methods from the CDC.
Transportation
Visit our Transportation page for information on the taxi voucher program and Zip Cars.
Wellness Center
All are welcome in the Wellness Center as a respite from the hectic pace of their days or to be in community with others. Students can decompress with mindfulness tools like coloring books or craft supplies, and enjoy amenities like complimentary snacks, tea, coffee, and a massage chair. Students can receive guidance and accompaniment, equipping them to make informed decisions that align with their unique journeys.
For additional resource on campus, visit the Wellness Center or email wellnesscenter@scu.edu.
LGBTQIA+ Resources in the Santa Clara Community
Gender Health Center
Clinic specialized in caring for transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive people in the South Bay
2101 Alexian Dr. Suite D
San Jose, CA 95116
408-885-5000
Getting to Zero Program
Multi-sector collaborative initiative that strives for zero HIV cases in Santa Clara County
gettingtozeroscc@phd.sccgov.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the California Department of Insurance considers birth control services as preventive care services which are required to be provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without any out-of-pocket cost (copayment, coinsurance, etc.), contraceptives are covered under the University's Aetna insurance plan.
Savco Pharmacy is near campus and offers free weekly delivery to the Cowell Center. If you have the Aetna Student Health Insurance plan or your insurance carrier is partnered with Savco, students can have prescriptions filled by their personal provider and delivered to the Cowell Center.
Planned Parenthood provides many services and practitioners provide resources to students based on the presenting health matter. Examples of reasons why a practitioner may offer a referral include:
- A direct question about Planned Parenthood;
- Abnormal pap smears;
- Ovarian cysts problems;
- STI testing free of charge;
- LGBTQ+ services;
- When a student doesn’t want any knowledge of care referenced in their medical records, etc.
No, SMS doesn’t prescribe PrEP, but can offer an off-campus referral should students inquire.
Finding PrEP in Santa Clara County
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte - San Jose Central Health Center
1691 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 287-7526
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - Valley Health Center Downtown Clinic
777 E Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA 95112
For more information or to find a different provider, please visit pleaseprepme.org
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center can collect toxicology specimens through a urine sample to test for drugs in the system if there are concerns of a drug facilitated sexual assault.
We do offer information about Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE) and can provide accompaniment to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center through SCU’s Confidential Advocate. The student can reach out to Campus Safety Services and they will connect the student with the SCU Advocate after hours to provide support.
Additional details:
- Date Rape-Kit tests use a few drops of liquid and can detect Xanax, Valium, and Rohypnol. It does not screen for the other date rape drugs.
- These drugs are very short lived in the system. The urine tests will need to be performed within 12 to 48 hours after drug ingestion.
- ALL rapes reported to SMS are reportable by law. All identifying information must be reported to SCPD. There is no confidentiality.
- Healthcare providers are required to make a report if they provide medical services to a patient whom they suspect is suffering from a physical injury due to a firearm or assaultive or abusive conduct
- ALL rapes reported to Student Medical Services staff are reported by law. The staff are required to report to Santa Clara Police Department but the student has the right to proceed in filing a report against the individual or not.
- Any reports made to SCU’s Confidential Advocate or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are kept confidential.