By Alyssa Weston
Youngstown State University offers many free things for its students. Although students have access to these resources, they are sometimes considered hidden gems on campus.
Suzanne Smith, instructor of the dental hygiene program, said other than the cost of parking, free dental cleaning services are offered to students and community members in Cushwa Hall.
She said the dental hygiene programs appointments can include exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments.
Smith said the appointments are usually three to three and a half hours long. Depending on the needs of the patient, multiple sessions could be needed.
“Our services do take longer than they do in a private dental office because they are students and they are still learning,” she said. “We always check everything they are doing so they have to stop frequently and let a faculty member check.”
Smith said the faculty-to-student ratio in the clinic is one to four at most, so the students get a lot of personal attention.
“The faculty is always comprised of one licensed dentist and two registered dental hygienists in the clinic,” she said.
Smith said the students must meet certain requirements in the clinic such as number of patients, adult, student and children patients, special needs patients and patients with dental issues.
The free dental cleaning services not only benefits the community, but also the students in the dental hygiene program.
Call the dental hygiene office at 330-941-3342 to make an appointment or visit room 1206 on the first floor of Cushwa Hall.
Madalyn Baker, sophomore fashion and interiors major, uses the Center for Student Progress for free tutoring services in microeconomics.
Baker said she heard about the tutoring services through an email she received.
“They knew exactly what class I was taking and that it was a tough class,” she said.
Baker said her tutor helps her study for exams and weekly homework.
“I think everyone should sign up. The tutoring services are willing to help you no matter what,” she said.
Chrystyna Zellers, registered dietitian for the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center, provides free nutrition services to students.
According to the online YSU Nutritional Services page, Zellers holds professional membership in the American Dietetic Association and the Ohio Dietetic Association.
Through appointment, Zellers is available to answer nutrition questions involving fitness and nutrition goals, caloric intakes and meal plans.
“I’m here three days a week and it’s free to students and unlimited depending on what their goal is, and they are getting something out of it,” she said.
Zellers said that in three appointments students can receive a healthy eating plan for whatever goal, not just weight loss.
“It can be for weight maintenance, for having more energy, for gaining muscle mass, so it’s really a full-service nutrition program,” she said.
Rosie Bresson, sophomore musical theater major, said that all performances put on through the theater and music program in Bliss Hall are free to students.
Bresson said she thinks free tickets are a perk for students.
“It brings in more of the student body, who a lot of times might not have the extra cash on hand,” she said. “It’s really nice that everyone gets a chance to experience what we do here [in Bliss Hall] without a cost,” she said.
Students can visit the box office in Bliss Hall before a show to get tickets or reserve them online. The tickets are issued to students with a student ID.