Rally goers urge LCC Board to not close the Health Clinic

On May 3  Lane Community College Employee Federation, or LCCEF, held a rally in response to the College Administrations controversial decision to phase out the Health Clinic. 

Over 20 students and faculty gathered at LCC’s center building in anticipation of the board meeting in order to voice their support for the health clinic. Attendees handed out red “Fund our future, fund our colleges!” shirts and pins before the rally began. 

Those in attendance detailed why they believe the clinic is an integral part of the LCC community. 

One of the attendees of the rally was Brice Weaver, a member of the nursing program at Lane who commented, “I think that it’s fundamental that we have reliable health services for the student body. It’s been very helpful for me in my academic journey, and I definitely wanted to be here to support the cause and continue those services for future students”

Another supporter who commented was April Myler, a Health Professions Faculty Instructor who, when asked about the decision by the board, responded, “I definitely would say that it didn’t feel like a due process was implemented where we had time to have voices heard from all sides before decisions were made. And so that’s why we’re out here tonight to stand together to make sure that we’re heard”

When asking Myler what changes would need to be implemented for things to get better she responded, “I think maybe going back to looking at other budget processes and finding different means of making our budget work in order to keep the health center open and paying close attention to fees that were already put into place based on the voice and decision of students. I believe in 2017 when this was an issue then, students decided to increase their own fees because of the importance of keeping this open for availability.”

One such student is Mitsuki Takeuchi, a second year exchange student from Japan who shared her story regarding the health clinic and how it has greatly helped her navigate student life at Lane.

“I have two perspectives that I can speak for the health clinic. One is as an international student,” Takeuchi said.”It is even harder for us to seek medical care in a foreign country with international student insurance. They can sometimes have too small a network clinic, or I can’t find a clinic that has good coverage with insurance.”

“I can’t find affordable medical care in the city, or in general. Right after I got here, I didn’t know anything about the city or medical systems or anything, and I just needed someone who could figure it out for me. At the health clinic, people are just so kind and they helped me out with how to get vaccinated for COVID, or get the blood work done, or when I am feeling not good, they helped me.

“They helped me see nurses or write a referral to the proper facility as needed. I learned how the American medical system works step by step by a health clinic person in school. I would say I couldn’t survive without their help. They were really supportive and helpful back then”

Takeuchi reminiscenced about a time when she needed volunteering hours for her pre-nursing major. She attempted to submit an application for a hospital in Springfield, but said she was denied because she was not a U.S. citizen. Heartbroken, she spoke to her LCC advisor who advised her to speak with the health clinic where they were able to let her volunteer on campus. 

Takeuchi went from not being able to volunteer at a hospital which would have affected her education to having a full volunteer experience. She was incredibly thankful for how willing to help the people at the Clinic.

The rally, which began 20 minutes before the start of the council meeting, marched toward the meeting with protest signs with the intention of keeping their signs visible during their testimony. The rally then marched forward to the building awaiting for the committee to finish up so the rally attendees could take their seats and prepare to make their comments of which 25 students and Faculty signed up for.

Stay tuned for when the Torch covers the council meeting and its results.