SHAs to face uncertain future

When Avani Oswal pulled a muscle several weeks ago, she knew
exactly where to receive help ““ right down the hall.

Oswal, a second-year business economics student, went to the
room of the Student Health Advocate on her floor in Hedrick Hall.
She said she immediately received anti-inflammatory medicine to
help subdue the pain and reduce swelling.

But this may be the last year students will be able to receive
these types of services, as Student Affairs has decided to
discontinue the SHA program and replace it with services that
educate students on how to take care of themselves, such as
life-skills courses.

“Student Health is veering away from focusing on the
medical aspect (of helping students) and concentrating more on the
emotional aspect, stress and time management, conflict, financial
and academic problems,” said Cat Wang, a SHA and third-year
psychology student.

Student Health Advocates said Health Education, a part of
Student Affairs which coordinates and backs the program, has made
the decision to shift its focus, but no representatives from the
department would speak to the Daily Bruin. Members of the Office of
Residential Life, which coordinates events for the SHA program,
also would not comment.

Pam Viele, director of Student Health Education, and Tiffani
Garnett, the SHA program coordinator, both said they would not
speak on the subject because the Bruin has already run a Viewpoint
column addressing the topic.

Health Education plans to offer students similar courses to
those the SHAs are currently required to take when training, which
cover topics including first aid, respiratory care, medication,
counseling and contraceptives. The courses will be offered to
students for course credit.

Though Health Education plans to replace the SHA program with
classes, there are currently no plans for an alternative to the
day-to-day service offered by the SHAs ““ such as band-aids,
contraceptives and pain relievers.

Over the past few years, the traditional SHA program has slowly
diminished.

Andrea Opel, the on-campus director of the SHAs and a
fourth-year psychobiology student, said the number of SHAs has
declined to the point that some buildings do not have a SHA in
residence. To compensate for the lack of SHAs, the program added an
instant messaging service this year so students can ask
health-related questions without actually visiting a SHA in
person.

Some students said they do not believe the changes to the
on-campus services are a good idea.

“It doesn’t seem many people would take these
classes,” said Kristen Killacky, a first-year world arts and
cultures student. “I haven’t used the SHA’s
services, but it’s comforting to have them there. Having the
SHAs available is much quicker than taking a class.”

But Opel said students are looking for ways to continue the SHA
program without Health Education’s backing.

She said the Student Welfare Commission, which is a part of the
Undergraduate Students Association Council, approached SHAs and
expressed interest in possibly taking over Health Education’s
role in the SHA program.

Currently, SWC does not have enough funding to take over, but
Opel said SWC and the SHA program are discussing possible options
for how to continue the program.

She added that there are no definite plans yet in the works.

Opel said she believes if the SHA program has a coordinator to
replace Health Education, the Arthur Ashe Health and Wellness
Center, which provides medical supplies to the SHAs, and ORL may
continue their services.

She added that she hopes the decision will be reached by the
winter quarter so, if the program continues, students wishing to be
SHAs can apply in time.

Regardless if the SHA program continues, Opel said she believes
life-skills classes will be beneficial for students.

“As much as I want the SHA program to continue, students
can do without SHAs. It is better to invest in a program such as
the life-skills classes where there is more need,” Opel
said.

Both Opel and Wang said they believe there is a good deal of
interest from students for classes on ways to improve their quality
of life. These classes, called Community Health Sciences, are a way
for students, especially freshmen, to transition to college, Wang
said.

Currently, 186 students are enrolled in seven life- skills
seminars offered by Community Health Sciences, according to the
UCLA Registrar. The three SHAs said Health Education hopes to offer
more.

But Oswal said she believes the classes will not make up for the
loss of the services the SHA program provided students.

“I hope they keep the SHA program,” Oswal said.
“Not as many people will take the classes because they do not
fulfill general education requirements. I think less help will
ultimately be provided to students.”