A proposal for a $2 student fee increase will be in the process for approval in early November.
If this proposal is approved, by Spring 2009 the student enrollment fee will no longer be $14, but rather $16.
The $14 that each student pays when he enrolls covers the services that the Student Health and Wellness Center provides.
Students may receive vaccines, check-ups, birth control, condoms and pap smears, along with other services.
“Many of the prices for the vaccines and other services we provide have and will continue to increase,” coordinator of student health services Nancy Montgomery said.
Last year, the cost for a Hepatitis B shot was $25, now it has risen to $30.
Not only that, but a change in one of the rules and regulations of the state provides for community colleges, will have an immediate impact on the number of students who receive vaccine shots on campus.
Before California began to experience an economic deficit and forced budget cuts in schools, the cut-off age for free vaccines was 25.
This year, the cut-off age is 18.
Any other student, who wishes to receive a shot, will be forced to pay $50 for each vaccine.
“We (at the Student Health Center) pay for the things we supply the students with,” Montgomery states. “With the enrollment fees, the students help pay for them. We pay the remainder of the price.”
Although the fee increase appears to be necessary, not many students are pleased.
Angel Vasquez, criminal justice major, proclaimed, “That’s ridiculous. I know prices are increasing, but I don’t think increasing services that are supposed to be free in school is going to promote more student involvement at the SHC.”
Free Services such as the Family P.A.C.T. program will still be in effect.
It provides condoms, birth control, pap smears, and STD testing,
The gynecologist and mental health counselor will not be of any cost to students as well.
Marina Martinez, cosmetology major, said, “They are really helpful.”
“I don’t have to go anywhere else if I need a check up or feel sick. I just go to the Student Health Center.”
Although the increase is rather disturbing, Martinez admitted, she thinks students are still having a greater advantage than many other people.
A major concern to the students on campus is the consistency of the increases.
Ricardo Cortez, nursing major, is afraid to someday be paying an enrollment fee of the same price as an entire semester worth of classes.
“By the state of California community college rules and regulations, enrollment fees cannot, and I mean absolutely cannot, exceed $17,” Montgomery clarified.
