Letter to the Editor

Cast a vote for the Health Center

Vote. We’ve all heard this message about elections, but now we all have the opportunity to make our voices heard about the Student Health Center.

The Health Center is one of the best deals around. For $170 a year, I can visit and get a professional opinion about a variety of health issues.

This was definitely not the case last time I was home. It took me over a week to get into my local doctor’s office and the co-pay was enough to buy lunch at Japanese Kitchen.

However, because of recent budget cuts, only 8 percent of the Health Center budget comes from the university budget. Students will be voting on a $20-per-semester increase with increases of $2 per semester per year through fall 2009.

The Health Center has continued to meet the needs of our campus community, offering many needed services and discounted medicine.

The staff are friendly and service is efficient. There have been many times when their expert advice helped me prevent the “common cold.”

With over 35,000 student visits for medical and counseling services a year, the Health Center is one of the most heavily-utilized and most highly-regarded student services. Recent surveys show that over half of all students use the Health Center at least once a year.

So go vote next week. The voting takes place next Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Be sure to bring your student ID card and cast your ballot at the University Student Union, Joyal, the Satellite Student Union or the South Gym.

—Molly Fagundes
Senior, ag. communication
Associated Students president