page 5 • jumps • sept. 26, 2008
that’s hot
pick up an issue on friday
Health Center almost on its way
By John Buethe
jpbuethe@csbsju.edu
School administrators met yesterday to discuss the recent proposal to open a health clinic on the CSB campus.
The meeting was called in response to the release of an American College Health Association report requested by the college last May, said CSB vice president of Student Development Mary Geller. The recently received report is overall in favor of the proposition.
While the group by no means .nalized the project yesterday, the meeting did help them decide what the next steps would be.
A CSB health center has been in formation for the last several years. The administration started the actual process earlier this year after the St. Ben’s Senate passed a resolution supporting the idea.
According to Geller, a major reason for introducing a health center to CSB would be to keep in step with other colleges and universities, which she says typically offer on-campus student health services that are covered by a general student fee.
“In this context of higher education, it is unique that we don’t have (a health center),” Counseling and Health Promotion director Mike Ewing said. Ewing is one of the four administrators who reviewed the report yesterday.
The St. John’s Health Center, which accepts both CSB and SJU patients, operates on a fee-for-service basis, meaning that students pay per visit instead of once a year.
Geller says the importance of this distinction is to promote the all-around health of the student body and not just address health issues on an individual basis. Having a on-campus center would also aid in collecting comprehensive data, so the school can address common health concerns of the CSB student body.
“We want to teach students to be good health consumers so they can prepare themselves not to be sick,” Geller said.
Geller’s opinions fall in line with the report, which cites that the university health system should be comprehensive. That is, the center should not simply be reactionary but should offer students preventative care and psychiatric health programs as well.
As to preventative care for sexual health, Geller said that the school will not interfere in the relationship between the student and her on-campus physician.
“If a doctor sees some reason to prescribe a student contraceptives, we are not going to censure that,” Geller said.
Following Catholic doctrine, which declares contraceptives immoral, will take the form of bstinence education, Geller said.
“We strongly support the Catholic values of the institutions,” Geller said. “And we would hope students will be responsible and not take on responsibilities if they are not prepared for the natural consequences.”
A similar proposal being considered for St. John’s, Geller said.
HERITAGE
. from Page 1
The planning committee for Heritage Day
recognized stewardship as a theme that would
involve a variety of student groups and cam
pus organizations, as well as local farmers and
producers.
“The theme .ts in with the broader, long-
term vision of the College of Saint Benedict,
and is a fundamental piece of our founding
community,” said Marian Diaz, chair of the
Heritage Day Committee.
It is certainly a topic that has a capacity
to affect us and will have resounding impact
beyond the day of the celebration.
“We can’t just live for today,” said Weinstein during his keynote address in Petters Auditorium, as he explained the ripple effect of that which we buy and the toll on our environment.
Audience members had the opportunity to re.ect on the deeper meaning of stewardship and the role each of us plays in our campus’ collective sustainability efforts.
Capitalizing on peak harvest times, buying locally and eating lower on the food chain exemplify personal actions that give a stance or sense of ownership on individual food choices. As stewards of the Earth, we’re called to do everything we can in our own lives, and then also contribute to a greater movement.
“Personal action is important, but has a limited amount of impact. Band together, with other environmental groups, and your voice is ampli.ed to a level of affecting policy,” Weinstein said
Attendees for Weinstein’s speech numbered 1,400, necessitating additional over.ow seating in the Gorecki Family Theater, as the maximum capacity of the Petters Auditorium sits at 1,000.
The mall in front of the BAC hosted students, faculty, and community members on for a “Festival of the Family Table” following Weinstein’s speech. Forty-six vendors lined the lawn with food samples and brochures for curious passers-by, unequivocally recognizing the interconnectedness of buying locally and fostering growth to the St. Joseph community.
Scattered about the lawn, attendees savored the bounty of the local foods luncheon while enjoying entertainment by the Becky Schlegel Trio and Keri Noble. Capping off the event was a cooking demo of Steamed Chinese Yak Buns with Dipping Sauce by Chef Weinstein.
