Students attending evening classes now have the same opportunity to use the Student Health Center because its hours have been extended.

The Student Health Center hours have changed to Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The reason why the hours are getting cut short on Friday is because there are fewer students to use the facility.

“We would rather spend those hours on being open in the evening one day during the week,” said Nancy Montgomery, student services health coordinator.

The new hours were discussed since last semester and were approved by the dean of the department.

So far, the health center has not seen very many students using the facility.

“Not too many people know about the new hours,” Montgomery stated.

With the advertisement of the new hours, Montgomery hopes that all that will change.

“We have gone to every classroom on a Tuesday evening and have handed out a flier and have also put it out on the computerized board out on the square, and we also have put up posters,” Montgomery said.

The new hours were first proposed by the entire staff of the Student Health Center.

“We go out and give presentations in the evening classes on education on breast health care, diabetes and stress management. As we were out on campus I was amazed on how many students are here on campus,” Montgomery stated.

“Once we saw how many students attend classes, the staff and I saw the need to make sure that we’re open because those students have little to no access,” Montgomery continued.

The extended hours work conveniently for the evening students.

“We stay open and (students are) sick, we can always see them and take care of them,” said Montgomery.

By paying the initial fee when students enroll, they can use the facility for free.

“Although there is a small amount of things we do charge for. Something like a small fee for laboratory work or antibiotics that is like $2 or $3,” Montgomery said.