Pace Paw Print

Karen H. Lolli and Catherine L. Hopkins pose in front of the Health Center, where they are open and ready for students.

Though last year's $15 million dollar budget cut threatened its existence, the University Health Care Center (UHC) will remain open this year, but has been downsized. In spite of the cuts, however, the Center has made changes to be more accessible to more students.

UHC, located downstairs of the Goldstein Health and Fitness Center, lost three part-time nurse practitioners and one full time office-support position on both the Pleasantville and New York City campuses. However, they have made an effort to be available to more students by accepting co-pay from any medical insurance companies, rather than the limited list of carriers which were acceptable in years past.

The rumors of the UHC's closing originated last year at the time of the $15 million dollar budget cut by ex-President David Caputo. Following the cuts, a proposal was made to eliminate the Health Center in order to limit expenses. However, the proposal was never made official. Last May, the UHC was notified that they would be staying open.

Karen H. Lolli, Co- Director of Pleasantville's Healthcare Center expressed the UHC's desire for students to realize they will be open for services.

"We want to get the word out that we're here and more user-friendly," she said in an interview with the Paw Print last week.

According to Lolli, the new insurance policy was initiated based on annual student surveys, which criticized the Center for its limited reimbursement coverage by some insurance plans. "We just want to be responsible to students," she said.

Their new insurance policy, however, only extends to illness visits. Wellness visits, including physicals and gynecological services, are expected to be paid in full by either the students or a limited number of insurance polices accepted by the University.

Lolli expressed concern at the Center's now limited staff.

"When someone takes a vacation, there's no backup," she said.

However, the Health Center is looking to regain some of their lost resources.

At the request of President Stephen Friedman, the Center, on both campuses, will be putting together their own proposal by January, which will evaluate their current state as well as suggest what is needed to "insure quality health service," according to Lolli.

The proposal will also include student surveys; therefore, Lolli encourages students to provide feedback.

In addition, she stressed that with one nurse practitioner and the busyness that comes with the cold and flu spouts on campus, students should be "be a little more responsible for calling in (ahead of time) instead of walking in."

Lolli said that she has received positive reactions from students, when they learned that the center would, in fact, be remaining open.

"We received many calls from students in August…saying 'Thank God you're still here!'"

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