In 2012, the city of Logan was ranked #1 as the safest city in the United States, with the lowest crime rate of any metropolitan area in the country.
Health Insurance in the United States
The United States health care system requires individuals to pay for medical insurance to cover the costs of all health care. Please contact the Office of Global Engagement to learn more about insurance options.
Injuries & Emergencies
If you are facing a life threating emergency, please dial 911 from the nearest phone or contact USU Police by calling +1(435)797-1939.
If you are experiencing a non-life-threating emergency, please contact the Office of Global Engagement by calling +1(435)797-1124 during workdays/hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) or contact USU Police by calling +1(435)797-1939 during the evening, on a weekend, or on a holiday when the university is closed.
Student Health Insurance
Medical costs can be extremely expensive if you do not purchase health insurance. As such, we require all international students to purchase health insurance for themselves and their dependents. Student health insurance starts on the first day of classes, so please be sure to make arrangements for health insurance if you plan to be in the country well before classes start. This is because USU requires international students to have valid health insurance coverage AT ALL TIMES.
Insurance plans may be purchased through Utah State University (and is applied to your account as part of your registration). USU insurance meets all minimum requirement for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. To learn more about health insurance options that you have through USU, please visit the Student Health Services webpage.
If you choose to use insurance other than USU’s health insurance plan, please note that minimum insurance coverage must include the following:
- Provides coverage for medical expenses at a minimum of 70% of the eligible expenses
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliancy (which includes but is not limited to: pregnancy, no pre-existing conditions, preventative care, etc.)
- Deductible of $1,500 or less
- Issued by a U.S.A.-based insurance company (includes Utah State University pre-approved coverage)
- Coverage is not discriminatory or based on age or gender
Note: The plan you choose CANNOT be an international student only plan.
If you as an international student take no action, the USU Health Insurance will be automatically billed to your USU student account beginning the first day of classes, you will then need enroll through United Healthcare.com to obtain and activate your health insurance proof of coverage card.
The USU Health Insurance Specialist is Katelyn Richins. If you would like to know if your existing health insurance (from home) has the coverage USU requires, you can email Katelyn to find out. If you have any other questions regarding student health insurance, contact Katelyn Richins:
Email: ship@usu.edu
Phone: +1-435-797-1660
Water Safety
Within the United States, water that is dispensed from taps within buildings and at drinking fountains can be considered safe to drink, even when not labeled as such. Please feel at ease to drink water from all indoor water taps and from drinking fountains.
On-Campus Alcohol Policy
Utah State University is a dry campus, which means that no alcohol of any kind is allowed to be consumed, transported, or stored on campus, regardless of the drinker's age.
This policy means that if you choose to live on campus or socialize on campus, you may not consume or transport alcohol at any time or on any section of campus property. Again, this policy applies regardless of your age.
If you use alcohol, please do so off campus and in accordance with local, state, and federal law. Please be at least 21 years of age before attempting to purchase, transport, or consume alcohol. Consuming alcohol (including wine) while younger than 21 years of age is illegal and can create very serious legal issues for individuals who are caught.
Drug Use and Abuse
The recreational use of drugs (legal and illegal) can result in negative consequences, from decreased productivity to physical addiction or death. We strive to provide information and resources for USU students to be best informed about the choices they make. There are a lot of places to get information about drugs. Many are one-sided, some omit important points. Knowing that you're checking a reputable source ensures you are making the most informed choices. Here are some well-researched resources:
- NIDA: Science Based Facts on Drugs
- MedlinePlus: Search OTC and Prescription Drugs
- Erowid: Non-Biased Psychoactive Drug Information
- Drug Abuse.com
Mental Health
College is a time for personal growth and discovery, and young adulthood can bring many challenges. Because of this, USU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides confidential mental health services to students on the Logan campus. By offering you a full range of counseling services in a friendly environment, CAPS strive to help you achieve your personal, relational, and academic goals while at USU.
It is a common misconception that only individuals that are seriously mentally ill need counseling. That's simply not true! There are a variety of reasons that individuals go to CAPS for help. Many people may be dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues or frustrations, needing advice on a difficult decision, etc. at one point in their lives or another, and CAPS is a great resource to help with a number of issues.
If you would like more information on how to stay mentally healthy throughout your USU experience, visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in the Taggart Student Center (Room 306), or reach them at 435-797-1012.
Learn more about Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the services they offer.