Student Health to relocate

Shuttle to bring students to West Lorain for care

The Health Plan Board has learned recently that there are just three important things in the health care business: location, location, location.

Student Health will temporarily relocate to a building one block west of the Oberlin Clinic. The decision to occupy the building at 319 W. Lorain was finalized at the board's Thursday meeting.

"It would be nice if we could put it on wheels and move it closer," College President Nancy Dye said. "You wouldn't think it would be so difficult to find a place for student health."

After the College's contract with the Oberlin Clinic expired, Student Health was forced to find a new home. A long search led to the building on W. Lorain, which the committee pronounced ideal in every way but one.

"I think this is a very unfortunate situation we're in. It will limit access from walk-ins," committee member senior Dan Persky said. "It will definitely discourage discretionary use, which is something we wanted."

The student members of the Health Plan Advisory Council were nearly unanimous in their disappointment. They met Tuesday night to discuss how to counteract the disadvantages of Student Health's inevitable move down the road.

"It's a medically adequate facility," junior Steff Haaz said. "The issue is how to deal with the location we have."

The students were particularly adamant that a shuttle service be made available to transport patients. Associate Dean of Student Life and Services Ken Holmes said they weren't the only ones concerned about feverish students braving wintry winds to reach Student Health.

"I know particularly in cold weather, it's a long hike," Holmes said. Holmes said transportation would be provided for patients. "We don't want to set Collegiate Health Care up for failure," he said.

Collegiate Health Care (CHC) is slated to serve as the College's primary medical care provider. The bid from CHC was accepted at Thursday's meeting.

"We've felt positive about CHC from what we've heard," said advisory council member sophomore Kyo Dineso.

"They try to meet the needs of the campus," Holmes said. "Everybody is really satisfied with them."

CHC will set up shop in Oberlin July 1. Holmes hopes the building will be ready for them. The building, which currently houses a psychological clinic, will require a few improvements. Water faucets will have to be installed in each room.

"It's a temporary place until we can assess CHC," Holmes said. "We'll be there about three years and if it's shorter, that's great."

"We really want this to be no more than two years," Persky said. "This is a less than ideal situation."

Many members of the Health Plan board envision a student health care center that will be both comprehensive and convenient. Board members imagine developing an office that will offer medical care, a self-help center and educational programs. In the meantime, educational programs will be based on campus while patients will be seen at 319 W. Lorain.

"I felt we were able to come to neccesary decisions fairly," Board member junior Megan Willits said. "We got over two very big issues and it's going to be easier from this point on."