Why don't we have a health center on North Campus? This has been a question shooting around for a while, and not without validity. With UB 2020, it seems more possible than ever.
Some have argued that putting a health center on North will ruin any fluidity that still exists between North and South. Making a campus autonomous only leads to isolation.
Still, why should students' health be jeopardized traveling back and forth to South? When students are legitimately sick, driving or ridding the bus to South isn't a great option.
Besides being far away from North Campus, Michael Hall also doesn't have flexible hours. Emergencies can happen at all hours of the day, and with Michael Hall closing at 5 p.m., there will inevitably be times that students have no choice but to call 911.
A health center has been planned for Richmond in the Ellicott complex, but has been vetoed due to costly asbestos removal. Not to mention, residence halls and health centers are not a good mix. Placing a germ center within a domicile can only lead to widespread sickness.
With the spread of contagious disease possible, neither the Academic Spine nor the Student Union are good bets for a health center either.
Even if South is the main health care center, there can still be satellite offices on other campuses. There's no reason to inconvenience sick students who need help.
Ilia Nossov, a former member of the UB Council, made it a priority to get a health center on North Campus. But one man can't make a difference; there needs to be more interest and engagement towards making student needs a reality.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
