San Diego State University Students to Vote on Fee Increases to Fund New Health Clinic, Expanded Services
Students at San Diego State University will vote Wednesday and Thursday on referendums to increase student fees to cover the cost of a new student health clinic and expanded medical services at the university, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. One referendum would require students to pay an additional $22 per year in fees to build a new clinic -- which would open in the spring of 2005 -- and a second referendum would require students to pay an additional $15 per year for expanded health services. Administrators have said that the current facility "is outdated, too small and unable to serve" the 300 students who visit the clinic on average each day. The Union-Tribune reports that the annual number of patients who visit the clinic increased from 48,000 in 1996 to about 70,000 last year. At the clinic, students receive care at no charge or pay a small fee for basic medical services, including treatment for infections, upset stomachs, urinary tract problems, headaches, STDs, acute illnesses and injuries. The clinic also offers family planning services, X-ray services, laboratory tests, optometry and acupuncture. Clinic administrators, who support the student fee increases, said that they "would be forced" to revisit the issues in future referendums "if the fees are not approved." The referendums require a majority vote from students to pass, but SDSU President Stephen Weber "makes the final call," the Union-Tribune reports (Autman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/12).
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