Michelle Leen, Staff Writer

Discussing issues concerning the latest North Carolina Senatorial advances and student health, the Student Government Association was visited by two speakers during their meeting Tuesday evening.

A former Appalachian State teacher in the sociology department, North Carolina Senator Virginia Foxx left her mark on this campus.  She is remembered for her efforts in helping to begin the Women’s Studies program during the 1970’s.

Foxx was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1994 and is presently serving her second term.

 Foxx believes that she was “blessed with the opportunity to serve others.”

Foxx opened her address by expressing appreciation for student volunteers and the importance of extra-curricular activities.

“Most of your learning is done outside of the classroon,” Foxx said.

In the most recent meeting of the General Assembly, Foxx reported that the public was well-served.

The Assembly approved the Excellent Schools Act which will raise teaching salaries in North Carolina to the national average.
 
The pay increase will help distinguish between average teachers and those going above and beyond, Foxx said.

This increase will cost an estimated $1 billion over the course of the next four years.
 
The Assembly hopes that the pay increase will indirectly improve education in this state, Foxx said.

A main concern of her address was the impact of student fees.
 
Her goal for the future is to instill a cap on student fees and the levels at which they may increase.

According to Foxx, Appalachian State reflects some of the highest student fees in the North Carolina University system.
 
She expressed her concern and encouraged students to “deal with the administration about why the fees are so high.”

However, SGA President Fernando Little would like the record to show that Foxx’s information on Appalachian’s fees was incorrect.

“I am concerned that the student senate received false information,” Little said.  “Appalachian State does not have the highest fees in the system.”

According to Little and the office of Student Development, Appalachian’s fees rank twelfth lowest in the university system, with only four universities coming in lower.

In fact, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro has the highest student fees, costing students $851.  Fayetville State has the lowest fees of only $560.

Following Foxx’s address, the Director of Health Services Dr. William Derrick shifted gears to discuss heath services’ issues and policies.

Derrick introduced the senators to Health Services by relaying the mission statement they abide by.

Health Services provides a medical clinic staffed with two physicians and two nurse practitioners.  However, a third physician will soon be added to staff.  Students can be seen by appointment or they may walk into the nurse’s clinic on a first come, first serve basis, no appointment necessary.

Staffed with an allergy clinic, a medical labratory, radiology services and a pharmacy, Health Services is able to accomodate the needs of students about 90 percent of the time Derrick said.

Health Services operates on a $1.8 million budget, most of which is received through student health fees.  Medical sales, such as birth control, also lessen the burden.  However, a profit is not made off of these sales.

The budget is disbursed throughout numerous areas including staff salaries, supplies, electricity, repairs and continuous education for nurses and physicians.

The future of Health Services relies on an increase of funds.  According to Derrick, a four percent increase is needed in order to remain at their present status.
 
Charges need to be implemented in order to receive the money needed; although there is a strong desire to remain a prepaid center, Derrick said.

In order to achieve future goals, students may see a charge for medicine received from Health Services.

A flat rate may be applied to over-the-counter medicines, resulting from high expenditures in this area.

“We would much rather charge for over-the-counter medicines, rather than those prescription medicines that students must have,” Derrick said.

In a past survey, students favored charging a flat $2 fee per visit rather than charging for medicine, Derrick said.

If any of these programs are implemented, charges would more than likely be added to a student’s overall university bill.  Derrick said that Health Services would rather not handle money.

“We average about 250 visits per day.  We would like to provide more personal care and cut down on waiting time,” Derrick said.    

Thank you for visiting The Appalachian Online. We hope you enjoy browsing our site to catch up on the latest news that affects Appalachian State University and our community. We welcome your ideas and suggestions.

E-mail The Appalachian Online at theapp@conrad.appstate.edu