Will we be swept under the rug?

Last semester, Heather Leininger and Jen Brazas did an extensive study on the state of health and health care for students at the Academy. Many of you probably participated in their survey, since they surveyed nearly half of the student body and interviewed a third of the faculty on this important issue.

With each step of the research, they uncovered more and more issues that needed attention. Such as the lack of a health policy in the student handbook, confusion about the location and availability of first aid kits, and absence of faculty or staff certified in first aid or CPR. Through their research, they also gathered valuable suggestions for improvements from faculty and students, and they garnered overwhelming support for their cause.

As we reviewed the extensive nature of the changes they wanted to propose, we decided that this was more than a two-student job. Plus, with their graduation date rapidly approaching, we did not want all of their hard work to be forgotten after they were gone.

Our solution: to form a standing committee of students and staff that would work toward improvements in this area, and act as an accountability group to evaluate and follow up on policies from semester to semester. We brought this proposal to the administration last week.

We have not yet recieved a definite response to our proposal. The immediate response was that the research and attention drawn to the issue was appreciated, but that a committee might not be as effective in administering change as an assigned staff person. The question is, who on a staff already wearing multiple hats, will have the time to give attention to this issue? Who will be willing to take on an added responsibility? And, will students still have input on this issue which most directly impacts them?

We hope that the administration will carefully consider our proposal, and that a decision can be reached that all parties can agree with. And, please, don't let this be swept under the rug.