News that students will be asked to pay an additional $1 per semester for health services has been met with a big shrug. Southwestern College students, well aware of soaring health care costs in the United States, are not complaining about health fees bumping up to $19 for full-time students and $16 for part-timers.
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Angelica Suarez recommended the increase to the governing board to help pay for crisis counseling and other health services. Mia McClellan, dean of student services, said more students than ever are using the services. She said the augmented plan means students will not have to be charged a “fee for service” when they need medical care. At SWC services include emergency medical care, first aid, health education, physician services and accidental insurance and liability coverage. All students attending classes are eligible.
McClellan said the Personal Wellness Program benefits thousands of students.
“We funded a full-time mental health counselor in 2007,” she said. “Since that time, Dr. Clarence Amaral has seen a 1,000 percent increase in the amount of students being seen. As more people found out about his services, more faculty made referrals, and the more he becomes ingrained in the campus, the more the need has gone up.”
McClellan said the health fee pays Amaral’s salary and supports the Health Services Department. She also said that Amaral may be getting some assistance soon.
“We’re hoping to hire a part-time hourly clinician and we’re in the process of doing the projections right now,” she said. “We will be bringing someone in. We just don’t know for how many hours yet.”
Psychology student Adrian Guerrero, 19, said he wasn’t concerned about the increase.
“As long as we are getting the services that we actually need, I don’t find it wrong,” he said. “Everything is going up now, so if this is the only way, then I don’t have a problem against it. A dollar increase adding up over the years may come to something, but right now it doesn’t really matter. I know I’m getting backed up by Southwestern.”
Music student Christian Burrola, 18, said he had no problem with an increase in the health fee.
“As long as it keeps the school stable, one dollar isn’t hurting me,” he said.
