TECHNICIAN
technicianonline.com
Raleigh, North Carolina
Student Health Center may cut hours
Four protesters unite at Holladay
Staff considers closing at 5:30 instead of 9 p.m. Sarah Widney Staff Writer
The Student Health Center may be closing at 5:30 p. m. starting in the fall semester to save money on staffing, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of Student Health Services Jerry Barker said. Despite the cutbacks, Barker said he doubts students will be adversely affected by the early closing because the center’s evening hours aren’t utilized. “There are usually around three people per night between 5:30 and 9 p.m.,” Barker said. A late-afternoon closing time is common among student health centers at universities across the country, Barker said, and the decision to bring these hours to NCSU was based on a national survey. “There are some health centers that stay open until midnight, but it’s unusual to find a student health center that stays open even as late as we do,” Barker said. Though the early closing is a proposal at this stage, Barker said it will likely pass. “We’ve talked to the Student Senate, the University Health Committee, IRC, University Housing, and Campus Recreation, and sent the draft proposal to Jim [Ceresnak] and Kelli [Rogers] to get feedback,” Barker said. “The University Health Committee has already voted to approve the proposal.” The proposal is designed to save money and, according to Barker, cutting back by three and a half hours each night will save the center more than $90,000 per year. “There are good safety nets in place if someone has a need after hours,” Barker said. “On-call hours would start at 5:30 instead
Small group of students aiming to challenge budget cuts rally in Brickyard, at Holladay Hall Josh Haywood Correspondent
DAVID MABE/TECHNICIAN
The Student Health Center on Cates Avenue provides medical services to students. Officials have proposed cutting hours to save money.
of 9 p.m. like they do now.” On-call hours are when there is a doctor, a psychologist, and a counselor who can be reached by phone if a student has non-lifethreatening medical problems after the Student Health Center closes, Barker said. Other departments housed in the Student Health Services Building, such as Counseling and Disability, already close at 5 p.m. “We’re working to make sure that the building can stay open for meetings and other things that happen after 5 p.m.,” Barker said. Jay Dawkins, senior class president, said he was concerned student life may be impacted by the changes. “I’m afraid that students are
“I’m afraid that students are getting the short end of the stick.” Jay Dawkins, senior class president getting the short end of the stick,” Dawkins said. “Many students aren’t even aware the center is open late. Other issues should be addressed before hours are cut.” Natasha Vos, sophomore in poultry science and animal science, said she has mixed feelings about the issue. “I understand the need to look at the budget and save money by cutting hours, but a lot can happen between 4 and 9 p.m. and it is important to have somebody to see at the Student Health Center,” she said. “Student health is
stressed on campus, so I think it’s better for these services to be available to students as much as possible.” Alex Manasa, sophomore in aerospace engineering, said the proposal seems like a bad decision. “Students may need the Health Center even when it’s closed,” Manasa said. “Student health shouldn’t be sacrificed to save money. Student Senate President Kelli Rogers said her initial concern
HEALTH CENTER QUICK FACTS: The Student Health Center is currently open from 8 a. m. until 9 p. m. on weekdays and on Saturdays from 8:30 a. m. to 11:30 a.m. The administration has proposed altering the Student Health Center’s hours to close at 5:30 next year. The proposal would also extend the pharmacy’s hours which closes at 5:00 p. m., and appointments, which stop at 4:30 p. m. The health center is open as the nurse clinic from 4:30 p. m. until 9:00 p.m. SOURCE: STUDENT HEALTH
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Four students rallied in front of Holladay Hall Monday evening to protest the University Budget Committee meeting concerning budget cuts and layoffs. The protesters were calling for the administration to stop increasing class sizes. Protesters attempted to rally students in the Brickyard before marching to Holladay, where the University’s Budget Committee meeting was held. The small group began rallying in the Brickyard, passing out flyers to students who passed by to convince them to join the march. Despite a small turnout for the protest, the organizers of the march, like Dante Strobino, PROTEST continued page 3
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Homecoming Committee holds first meeting, decides theme Preliminary decisions made concerning slogan and music genre Sonya Deulina Senior Staff
The Homecoming committee started planning for this fall’s festivities Monday when it held its first meeting of the year. Homecoming week is scheduled for the week of Nov. 1. After input from students and a few rounds of voting, the committee decided on “Shell Shock the Terps” as the slogan. Adam Compton, chair of the Homecoming committee, said the slogan is still awaiting administrative approval. Compton said he was excited at the turnout at the meeting and wants to see Homecoming grow this coming year. “I was happy to serve to a full room tonight. We’re starting early,” Compton said. “I’ve seen homecoming grow and I know the areas for growth.” Compton said he has high hopes for this year’s Homecoming, and outlined his main objectives for the event. “The three goals that I want homecoming to accomplish are to reach more students, touch more alumni and bring more awareness to campus,” Compton said. After another round of voting, the committee also decided the Pack Howl’s theme this year will be alternative music. The chairs of the committee said Homecoming should still include all the
HOMECOMING QUICK FACTS The Homecoming Committee voted Monday for the Homecoming Week slogan to be “Shell Shock the Terps,” in reference to the football team’s game Nov. 7. Festivities in the fall will include the Pack Howl concert, Wear Red Get Fed, service projects, among other events. The Committee wanted to offer the same events students have grown accustomed to in years past, in spite of the recession. SOURCE: ADAM COMPTON
events students have grown accustomed to, despite the recession. Mary Cline, publicity chair and freshman in the college of management and international studies, said the committee will have the same events it has had in years past, but will have to use novel ways to attain funding. “We are still doing everything that we did before, we just have to be really creative this year and think about things that don’t cost as much money,” Cline said. Jessica Thurman, a sophomore in business management, also said finding alternative funding strategies and early planning was imperative for Homecoming to be successful. “We’re just going to plan ahead on cheap, but efficient things. We just may have to cut corners,” Thurman said. “We certainly have to plan early.”
RALLY
LUIS ZAPATA/TECHNICIAN
Adam Compton, a senior in agriculture business management, talks to students in the Talley Blue Room Monday to discuss this fall’s Homecoming festivities. During the meeting the committee voted on Homecoming’s slogan. “Shell Shock the Terps” received the most votes and, after receiving administrative approval, will be announced as Homecoming’s official theme. “Homecoming should hit every student, either getting food in the Brickyard or going out to Pack Howl,” Compton said.
Thurman said she was excited about competitions and the upcoming service project the committee is planning. “We incorporate competition into everything,” Cline said. “For this year I’m
probably most excited about trying to do some kind of day of service.” Cline said she is working on promoting this event and publicizing it to campus in many different ways.
TALLEY
“It’s going to be a lot easier publicizing now that we have the theme,” Cline said. “The Free Expression Tunnel will be completely painted, we are putting up flyers and sending e-mails.”
Rally4Talley Campaign Celebration 10:30am to 1:30pm - On the Brickyard All NC State Students Are Invited! More information at: rally4talley.com