 "Photo: Sun-Mee Paik ’10, Staff Cartoonist")
Three weeks into the academic year, the changes that have been steadily evolving in Health Services are clear and it appears that students are going to be on their own for many medical concerns. The changes that have been implemented over the last two years have altered the way sick students are helped, and not for the better.
One of the main concerns with the new system is the limited hours that Health Services is actually open. After 4 p.m. on weekdays there is little to no medical help on campus. Are students supposed to schedule in all medical emergencies between 8:30 am and 5:00 p.m.? Calling after hours will result in the advice to, “take an ibuprofen and your temperature, get some sleep and, if necessary, make an appointment in the morning.” Anyone who needs to seek medical attention in the evenings or on weekends, whether for illness, accidents, or alcohol-related incidents, have no choice but to deal with the situation by themselves or to be transported to the hospital. Incidents that could be easily dealt with on campus now require an unnecessary hospital visit and cause unnecessary expenses to the student.
Even getting to the hospital is a challenge to your patience. While it is commendable that the college provides access to medical attention when Health Services is closed, the reliability of that access is questionable. Students depending on transportation to the hospital provided by the college can wait anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours, which, in an emergency situation, is unacceptable. We have student drivers on campus, employed by the college to escort students across campus; could they not also be used to transport non-emergency students to the hospital, saving time and money on cab fare?
It’s understandable that the college has had to cut costs in many areas, but at least for health services, the administration should remember that the health and well-being of students here at the school is more important than cutting funds. If not at least keepimg the original funding for health services, the school should consider giving more funds and hiring more health service staff.
Another possibility is to hire student volunteers. Especially for the many aspiring pre-med students at Wellesley, this could be a perfect opportunity to gain practical experience. Of course, after-hours would be more difficult to find volunteers, but at least during the evening after 5 p.m., students and a few staff workers could stay on duty.
The biggest obstacle to overcome in fixing Health Services is a general lack of resources, both monetary and otherwise. The cuts made during the current financial crisis have affected almost every aspect of life at Wellesley. While the college’s response is understandable, the health and safety of our students should remain of paramount importance.
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