Staff Editorial On Barnard Health Services Misrepresents the Facts

To the Editor:

Your Feb. 16 staff editorial, "Revenge of the Sick," is inaccurate and based on outdated information. As a result, you have misrepresented the actions of both the Barnard College Student Health Services and our Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC).

The editorial describes a "recent" survey. In fact, the survey dates to spring 2004. When we reviewed the disappointing results of this survey, we responded very quickly to correct an identified problem by putting in place a new computerized dispensary and a new system to afford students more privacy at the front desk. These changes were were well under way before the formation of SHAC in the spring of 2005.

The editorial reports that SHAC was formed by the SGA in response to the survey. But the idea to start SHAC came from Elizabeth Casler, BC '06, who many months earlier approached Brenda Slade, Health Service Director, about her desire to collaborate with Health Services. We took the idea to the SGA, which supported the idea. SHAC is and will continue to be highly valuable to the Barnard community. Nevertheless, it is incorrect to attribute the changes you cite to SHAC. This glosses over the commitment of the Health Service staff to improving students' healthcare experience.

We must also make it clear that our receptionist has not been "replaced" by the card system. Students arriving at the Health Service are greeted by a receptionist and asked to fill out an information card which is then used to provide the type of appointment best suited to their needs. We doubt very much that Barnard women would respond positively to an empty desk and a stack of cards, as was suggested by your editorial. Our mission at Barnard Student Health Services is to provide excellent and easily accessible healthcare, not to create obstacles to it.

 

Brenda D. Slade, NP, MA, Director

Barnard College Health Service

Marjorie Seidenfield, M.D.

Medical Director

Jessica Cannon, BC 03

Health Educator

 

Military Veterans Bring Diverse Voices to Columbia Community

To The Editor:

We welcome Adam Weinstein's February 13th Column "ROTC and the Ivory Tower: Cease Fire" criticizing the University for establishing a barrier between itself and this nation's military. Mr. Weinstein is a perfect example of the breadth of diversity that exists in U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets) and his stance demonstrates the foolishness of any assertion that all of Columbia's student-veterans are affiliated with conservative groups, pro-ROTC groups, or pro-war groups. MilVets is an apolitical, nonpartisan organization with no ideology or intent other than to ensure a safe place for veterans to contribute to intellectual discourse. Indeed, for MilVets to align itself with any political position would not accurately represent our membership.

MilVets began speaking out publicly when it came to our attention that one of our members had been mistreated and that the university's response was lacking. Our request that the university amend its discrimination policy represents our effort to have the administration confirm that Columbia is not a place for bigotry of any kind. This is not an endorsement of anything: it is a denouncement of prejudice.

In spite of this incident, we will continue to do as we have done since our founding. We will present forums, discussions, and events of all kinds in order to add our military experience to the intellectual environment here on campus. It is our sincere hope that people recognize the value in that experience and come join our discussions. As military men and women enter academia during or after their service to this nation, they bring back profound experiences colored by their own diverse opinions. Our collective knowledge is rapidly being enhanced by the intellectual input of these current and former servicemen and servicewomen. We sincerely hope that Columbia will acknowledge what veterans and other military students have to offer, not with yellow ribbons and empty rhetoric, but merely by welcoming us with tolerance and acceptance.

 

The Executive Board of U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets)