With classes in full swing and students trying to manage classes and/or hold down part-time jobs, being seen for an illness can be difficult. Seeing the need, Student Health Services has begun operating a night clinic for students who do not have time during the day.
Starting in July of 08 at the beginning of the Summer II session, the student clinic opened its doors every Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for students who could not find the time during the day to be seen. These hours could be beneficial for the student body as cold and flu season begins.
“Basically, the reason we started it was to service the needs of the students,” Kelly Daily, administrative assistant for Student Health Services said.
An increase in the amount of students coming in for flu symptoms and upper respiratory infections has kept the student clinic busy.
“The last couple of nights we have been booked solid,” Daily said.
If there is any doubt whether the late-night policy is being utilized, it has being silenced with praise.
“Students say it’s very convenient, because they work,” Daily said.
Daily said students with out health insurance are not a problem.
“We do everything: blood work [labs], x-rays, women’s health, etc.,” she said. “Any student enrolled in the University will be seen.”
Students only have to pay for blood work and x-rays, both of which are relatively expensive. Students with their Campus Wide Identification Number (CWID) will be seen, regardless of the amount of classes they are taking.
“I think that is a really good idea,” freshman Bentley Hickman said. “It gives people that don’t have a chance during the day to get seen.”
Students can walk into the clinic (located on the rear of Henderson Hall), and check-in at the desk. As long as the student is enrolled at the University, he/she is covered by the school and can take care of an illness.
With Student Health Services available not just daily, but on Thursday nights as well, students can get better and get back to focusing on school. Some students even wish the clinic’s late night program would be extended.
“There probably should be another one, like Tuesday/Thursday, since everyone’s so busy,” junior English major, Justin Rice said.