Another Board meeting about the Health Clinic leaves attendees with more questions than answers

Students and staff rallied once more on May 17 in response to the ongoing controversy over the possible closure of the LCC Health Clinic. After the rally, they headed to another Board meeting.

The meeting began with Lisa Fragala opening up with a motion to discuss the timeline of the health clinic. 

It was met with disagreement across the board questioning if President Stephanie Bulger was prepared to answer. President Bulger responded that she wasn’t, “Prepared in detail”. Fragala attempted to expand on her statement, telling the board that she was just looking for a general idea of what comes next. However, a majority of the board members did not want to force President Bulger to answer on the spot.

Fragala disagreed, “I don’t feel like I’ve had an opportunity to fully address what I’m asking for. I am not asking for a detailed conversation about the outcomes of the health clinic.” Fragala specifically had an issue with the June 14 deadline because she will be out of town and believes that everyone should be present for that conversation. 

Before the vote on the motion could continue, Fragala withdrew her motion. Fragala noted she found it “concerning that board members would not support another board member having a conversation about such a significant issue.”

The board then went forward with public comments all of which were primarily in support of the clinic. 

Adrianne Michell, Professor of Academic Learning Skills, asked the board to consider “the implications for the potential closure of the health clinic on reproductive health care for our students, not only for our campus community but the ripple effects that will happen throughout our community. I think this is a really critical decision, and it’s one that our local legislators are very concerned about. They have earmarked funding for the LCC health clinic in House Bill 2002. These are our allies who are supporting our clinic with this funding. Including several who sponsored the bill; Senators Manning and Prozansky and Representatives Fahey and Colton.”

Student body president Nikhar Ramlakhan also spoke in support of the clinic. He stated his and other students’ frustration regarding the removal of the health clinic as an agenda item. Ramlakhan is concerned the final vote will occur during finals, “depriving them of their right to participate in such a crucial manner. June 14 is in the middle of finals week and thus it is unfair to expect students who wanted to attend to show up.”

Ramlakhan states, “This abbreviated timeframe undervalues stakeholder input and undermines the decision-making process for such a consequential issue. Expecting students to engage in a 2-3 week task force during the final week of the term when they’re already overwhelmed with projects, papers, and final exams is unreasonable.” Ramlakhan stresses that, “Changes to the agenda, meeting dates and voting dates undermine trust in the public meeting process and diminish the critical role of our elected Board of Education.”

He also notes that his term as the Student Body President is ending on June 17th and states two options regarding the vote on the LCC health clinic. The first is to, “hold a vote during this June 17th board meeting” so he will still be in office.

The second is to, “postpone the vote until the end of the fall term” giving the task force and stakeholders a thorough examination.

Ramlakhan closes his statement , “I urge you to prioritize the voices and needs of the students in the campus community by rescheduling the vote for when all stakeholders can be present and allowing for a comprehensive and inclusive decision-making process. Together, let us work towards a future that upholds the principles of transparency, collaboration, and the well-being of our Lane Community College student body.”

Another speaker is Carly Policha, a faculty nurse at the Health Clinic.

Policha states, “The Health Clinic and the services we offer have been misrepresented to the students and the Board of Education.”

Palika comments on a survey taken on May 14th. The survey was gathering opinions regarding the Health Clinic. The first option on the survey was if the college should maintain the Health Clinic with only in-person care for credit students. Palika states,  “There was no mention of the fact that we’ve been doing telehealth (Telehealth meaning using communication technology to manage healthcare) since 2020. This feels either negligent that they didn’t know this information or intentionally deceitful.” 

Policha continues with the third option, “coordinate in person care with local off campus health care providers and 24/7 health care to all students in credit, noncredit, Adult Basic and Secondary Education (ABSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and career pathways under dependents.”

Policha notes that there is no indication on how much the outside providers cost or how it will impact health emergency patients without insurance. “Many of our students make just too much that they don’t qualify for OHP but don’t have any resources to get any other insurance. What will these services be and how often will they be on campus? Without defining these parameters, students may reasonably believe these in-person services are equivalent to what is being offered now. Except offered by outside providers and are offered for a much lower yearly fee. If not, they are being misled and the survey results are not meaningful.”

Policha then brings up President Bulger’s “Task Force.”

While Policha appreciates the involvement of Stakeholders. She also feels that one faculty member, one “classified” staff member does not feel like “representation.” 

Policha asks, “How many students will be on the task force? How will they be chosen? Will the test course be given adequate time, as in more than 2-3 weeks to explore options? Will someone from the health clinic be involved to speak to the services that are offered and what the cost is to the students now? Or is it a foregone conclusion that the Health Clinic will no longer be involved in providing health care to the students? If keeping the Health Clinic is still an option, we should be involved in these discussions. Health Clinic staff have expert knowledge of not only our services but also valuable information about the types of patients who visit.”

Policha continues, “We have fostered deep relationships with Lane County Public Health, HIV Alliance, and other community partners in our 51 years of the Union. It feels disrespectful to push us aside and have people with zero medical background or community relationships deciding how to change medical services on campus. With the intention to close the clinic and scale back on medical therapy. The college feels as if it does not have the financial resources to provide health services to students. The administration should say that and stop pretending that telehealth or periodic visits from community partners who are already overburdened and under-resourced will be a better substitute for what we do. It is frankly insulting to us and the thoughtful care that we give to the students, and we all can tell the truth.”

Once public comment ended Board chair, Rosemary Pryor, stated to the crowd before exiting, “I can assure you that President Bulger will be very forthcoming about whatever steps that the board approves going forward.”

Most of the rally goers left the board meeting with the fate of the Health Clinic still unknown.