Basic Needs and Student Resources

Basic Needs

The mission of Chico State Basic Needs is to improve student success and positively engage the community through the provision of healthy food, emergency grants, financial wellness education, rapid re-housing, public health and wellness programming for students experiencing food insecurity, hunger, disasters, unstable housing, homelessness and poverty.

Career Center and Student Employment

At the Career Center, you'll learn about jobs and campus as well as get career information, participate in workshops and job fairs, get help with cover letters and resumes, and explore internship possibilities.

WellCat Counseling Center

The WellCat Counseling Center offers individual assessment sessions in which a counselor gains insight into a person's issues and then, in collaboration with the person, makes a decision about the type of counseling that would best address those issues. Depending on the nature of needs and the availability of resources, this could include group counseling, short-term individual counseling, short-term couples counseling, referral to a workshop or presentation on a specific topic, or referral to counseling services in the community. 

WellCat Safe Place

WellCat Safe Place serves the Chico State community by providing confidential services for individuals impacted by sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, sexual exploitation, stalking, and harassment. We offer advocacy support, prevention education, and linkage to services on and off campus. Appointments with WellCat Safe Place are available through Zoom, over the phone, or through in-person sessions.

Health Services

The WellCat Health Center is an outpatient acute-care clinic staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They offer free non-emergency medical services to students, including preventative care and immunizations. Medicine and medical supplies are available for purchase at reduced costs.

The Well

The Well at Bell Memorial Union provides an 8500-square space that promotes self-care. You will find spaces dedicated to self-directed, small group, and one-on-one activities and other self-care programs. Students can drop in to do art, play a board game, check their blood pressure, take naps in one of our six sleep pods, and much more. The Well is staffed by one full-time employee and approximately 16 student employees who would love to meet you. We invite you to experience our expanding programming and all The Well has to offer.

• Nap Pods
• Hydromassage Lounge
• Massage Chairs
• Designated Quiet Spaces
• Programming Spaces
• Self-directed and Program Led Activities
• Meditation, Gentle Yoga, and Restorative Yoga Classes
• Mental Health Counseling Services
• Creative Space
• Lactation Lounge
• Sensory Space
• Prayer and Reflection Space
• Blood Pressure Monitoring
• Massage Therapy

* To schedule an appointment with a mental health counselor, please call WellCat Counseling Center at 530-898-6345

To stay in the loop regarding updates and information about The Well, follow them at @aschicostate on  Instagram(opens in new window), Twitter, and Facebook, and sign up for The Latest text notifications here(opens in new window).

Housing Sources

University Housing and Food Service has created an Off-Campus Rental Housing Tools web page to assist new students. We do not inspect, recommend, or guarantee any off-campus housing. This information is simply provided as a courtesy to new students unfamiliar with the Chico community.

Childcare

The Associated Students Child Development Lab (ASCDL) is the teaching/learning laboratory for CSU, Chico. It operates an early education and care program for student-parents, staff, faculty, and the community. For more information, visit their website.

Additional childcare information may be found online via First 5 California. You may also contact the Child Care Referral Network at 1-800-KIDS-793. The Network has agencies in every county in California. They provide free information on choosing child care, referrals to child care centers, and information on how to pay for child care.