Final answer:
The urgent need for more counselors is highlighted by long wait times for appointments, a high prevalence of mental health issues among students, and insufficient staff-to-student ratios according to International Association of Counseling Services guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses initial counseling completion times and underlying issues affecting these times within an educational institution, which is a topic related to higher education administration, a subset of Social Studies.
Point 1: Wait Times – Kay Payne, a campus counselor, indicates that students have to wait approximately 10 days for an appointment, signifying that wait times are too long.
Point 2: Mental Health Issues – A survey reveals that a significant 75 percent of the students surveyed have experienced mental health issues, highlighting the prevalence of mental health issues within the student community.
Point 3: Staff-to-Student Ratio – According to the International Association of Counseling Services, the optimal staff-to-student ratio is one staff member for every 1,000 to 1,500 students; a metric which the college is currently not meeting.
To address these concerns, there is an urgent need for hiring more counselors, particularly at the south campus, to be available during both day and night to meet the students' scheduling needs.