Construction and renovation for the Student Health Center is planned to cost almost $10 million and students are footing the bill.
The renovations aim to create a more spacious, accessible facility to accommodate a growing student population. The result is a more comfortable environment, better service, and satisfactory health care assistance, according to Dr. Jerry Barker, vice chancellor of student affairs and director of student health services. To pay for the $9.9 million renovation, students are paying a $35 debt service fee.
The extra room is required to address the need for more pharmacy staff, special dispensing equipment, retail over-the-counter space and a waiting area, according to Barker.
“Physical therapy currently is cramped and lacks adequate privacy for patients,” Barker said. “We have no growth room for the medical clinic or Counseling Center, but with 750 new students annually and demand for service increasing; we must add new staff, which requires new offices and exam rooms.”
According to Barker, growing enrollment has driven the need for more space at university healthy centers across the state.
“UNC-Chapel Hill has 60,000 square feet to serve 4,000 less students than us with our current 42,900 square feet,” Barker said. “UNC-Greensboro and UNC-Charlotte have new health facilities and ECU has a recent major addition.”
Ariel Davis, a junior in political science, said she thinks the renovation is a good thing and is necessary.
“It is always great to do renovations in general, especially with the health center. I understand it is required to have some form of medical coverage, so this creates an increase in usage of the facility,” Davis said. “As a student, this is a great project because we are able to see that the medical coverage fee is being put into the improvement and needs of the student wellness.”
Phase III of construction will occur from spring break 2011 to August 2011. This portion will consist of a 14,000-square-feet renovation of the first floor in business offices, urgent care, lab and X-ray and medical records. Second floor reconstruction will involve the Women’s Center, administrative rooms and a meeting area. Lastly, 9,000 square feet of carpet will be replaced, Barker said.
Emily Wheet, a sophomore in social work, said she thinks there are other buildings that need attention than the Student Health Center.
“There’s always construction on the health center,” Wheet said. “I don’t know what’s happening. I feel like they’re always doing things for it when there are always other things to be done.”
The Student Health Center was built in 1999. The Student Health Center construction included a preliminary study in 2006, which showed a need for more space.
“The Health Center and Counseling Center need additional space for staff to provide services to students. We’ve had support from student leaders and fee review committees over several years. As departments move into the new addition, their old space has to be renovated to accommodate relocating departments,” Barker said.
Amy Walters, a junior in social work said she didn’t see the need for the addition
”The service is fast, the building is fine. I don’t think they need to change anything,” Walters said.
Barker said there will be little conflict between construction and student access to service.
“There will be very little interference between now and spring break, mainly south side entrance will be blocked during construction,” Barker said. “From mid-March to the end of spring semester will be the most renovation disruption, but architects have developed an excellent plan and our staff will work hard to make the facility work for students needing services.”
Chazmyn Grant, a sophomore in law and justice, said she sees the construction as a problem for student interaction at the Student Health Center.
“I see it as an inconvenience because I don’t see the finished product, just the construction,” Grant said.
Barker said he views the renovation is a good project that’s moving along very well and will be pleasing to the students.
Phase II of the renovation project, a 23,600 square foot addition, is schedule for completion in March 2011. Phase III, the final phase, will be finished by August 2011, according to Barker.
The Student Health Center underwent renovations last school year, according to Barker. By summer 2010, the pharmacy was partially renovated and is expected to be completed by fall break. In addition, medical and non-medical supply rooms were demolished to make way for a hallway, mechanical and plumbing work was administered, and Central Campus Parking Lot was redone. Also, the Disability Services space was demolished and the Disability Services Offices moved to First Year College.
