EDITORIAL: SICK
True, Health Services does make every effort to see students as soon as possible and will find ways to squeeze in those whose medical condition warrants immediate attention. But they don't always succeed in seeing everyone in a timely situation. This problem is compounded by the fact that doctors are in only on weekdays, and that they do not work normal hours during such holidays as midterm break.
The two doctors and their staff do an excellent job considering the limited resources that they have, but Rice students need more. Maintaining one's health is one item that should be near the top of everyone's priority list, yet Rice's most important service is offered only during typical office hours. If a student becomes ill on a Friday evening or over break, he or she has to either tough it out until Health Services opens or pay big bucks to obtain treatment elsewhere.
Knowing how cash-strapped many students are, it is logical to assume that the majority would choose to wait for Health Services even if it means that they will become much sicker before getting treatment.
Many administrators say that the well-being of students is their top priority. If that's true, then they need to allocate more of their budget to Health Services so that the doctors there can provide the services that Rice needs. Such a change would not necessarily require cuts in other areas. Most students would be willing to pay more in fees if they knew they were receiving something valuable in return. A Health Services that is open every day would be that something.
This item appeared in the Opinion section of the November 3, 1995 issue.
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