In a move to hire more employees, the Student Health Center administration is asking the University to approve a student fee increase.
The proposal asks for the current $70 fee to be increased by $10 this fall for full-time students. The fee would increase $10 every fall until it reaches its peak at $110 in spring 2008.
For summer sessions, the current $42 fee will begin increasing by $6 a year in 2006 and peak at $66 in 2009.
Arthur Goulas, Health Center director and assistant vice chancellor for Student Services said every seven or eight years, the student health fee must be raised to maintain the current level of services.
The last fee increase was a $5 increase in 2000.
Goulas said the gradual fee increase is affordable and necessary.
But Health Center officials say even with the $40 increase, the health fee is still lower or comparable to other schools with similar health services. The University of Georgia has a $151 student health fee, the University of Florida has a $119 student health fee and North Carolina State’s is $106.
Julie Hupperich, Health Center associate director, said the Health Center is an auxiliary unit, which meaning it receives no state or University funding.
“We offer one-stop shopping,” Hupperich said. The Health Center has primary care facilities, a women’s clinic, a mental health facility and clinics for dermatology, orthopedics, ear, nose and throat. It also has ophthalmology clinics and specialty physicians, such as a dentist.
David Rousmaniere, Health Center business manager, said the increase is imperative because there are three critical staff vacancies, including a nurse manager, a registered nurse and wellness education coordinator.
The Health Center also will use the fee to hire an alcohol counselor and educator, purchase medical equipment, repair and renovate the center and maintain its current accreditation.
According to Health Center officials, 73 percent — or $4.2 million of the $5.7 million health center revenue — is from student fees, which makes the fee crucial.
Rousmaniere said there is no specific date set for the $110 fee to return to the $70 current fee. He said it depends on the health situation on campus and Health Center needs.
Hupperich said the Health Center is hopeful the fee increase will be approved. She said they seem to have student support and usually have support from administrators.
The Health Center currently is giving presentations to student organizations. After the presentations are complete, the proposal will be sent to the chancellor.