GROSSMONT COLLEGE — After paying for classes at Grossmont College, students may notice a fee on their invoice called the Mandatory Health Fee. The 18 dollar fee causes concern for students as to where the money goes and how it is applied to students.
According to Dianne Woodson, the Student Health Services Supervisor, the mandatory health fee is monitored by the health services office as insurance, in case a student or campus visitor has an accident or needs medical attention. Students pay this fee to support Health Services provided by the Health Services Office. According to Woodson, the fund for Health Services is restricted. There are approximately 5,000 students that visit the Health Services office, and it may be a bit hectic with students coming in with very limited resources.
The fee also includes keeping the staff at the Health Services Office employed. The money from the health fee is put into a fund and pays for any expenses the Health Services Office may have.
Last year, two Registered Nurses were let go, along with a nineteen year employee, a personal counselor, and a school counselor. Dianne Woodson said that they are trying hire the personal counselor back, and Woodson hopes to have the personal counselor by Spring 2013. Woodson wants the personal counselor back because the counselor helped the students all throughout the school year.
The state decides the minimum amount for the health fee, and Grossmont College was the last to raise the fee this year. Grossmont was the only college not to charge Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGW) recipients the health fee; the fee was waived for those students.
Last year, 9,000 students did not pay the health fee because they had the BOGW, but this year it will not be waived unless a petition is filled out; the exception to the health fee must be a religious reason.
The health fee is required for a reason; it helps you. If a student gets hurt, needs a vision or hearing test, or a vaccination the health fee covers them. Whether you utilize Health Services or not, being safe is better than being sorry.