PIERCE COLLEGE : Health Services Are Restored

Basic health services, including first aid, educational programs, health assessment, counseling and referrals, will be offered to Pierce College students for the first time in more than a decade beginning next semester.

Similar health services were once offered at the college, but first aid has been the only service available to students since 1982 when the Los Angeles Community College District eliminated campus health centers because of budget cuts.

Initially, the Pierce center will be staffed by a full-time medical assistant and a nurse during peak hours, but “once that staff is hired, we can contract a physician for certain services,” said Robert Garber, dean of student services.

The student health center comes as a result of a districtwide mandatory student health service fee approved by the board in April.

Students who receive financial aid and who depend exclusively on prayer for healing because of their religious beliefs are exempt from the $7.50 fee. Summer session students will pay a $5 fee.

The health center “will fit into the total mission of the college, which is to prepare students as citizens and productive members of society,” Garber said. “These are difficult times for people in our community. Students will really benefit from the basic services we’re going to provide, as well as health education about diet, nutrition, weight control, AIDS etc.”

The health center, which will be in the Campus Center, will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Garber said the original plans called for the lease of a modular building.

But, he said: “We didn’t want to make financial arrangements for the college. The health fee was approved by the Board of Trustees, but the board can also rescind it.”

Another reason for not leasing a building is because Pierce is involved in developing a master plan.