For students wishing the health center had extended hours, greater access and availability, good news could be on the way.

SMU’s Student Senate discussed the university’s policies and practices regarding the health center at Tuesday’s weekly meeting. The debate focused on the importance of passing legislation that would help improve health-related services to students.

“We do need to all jump on board to get some legislation passed on this issue,” said Senate Parliamentarian James K. Longhofer. “This is a serious issue and was discussed in the task force report.”

Unfortunately for students, even immediate legislation passed by the senate would not guarantee that students could seek treatment from the health center in the evenings or on weekends during this semester.

The Memorial Health Center currently offers medical services only on weekdays during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., like most outpatient physician’s offices. This often causes students to wait extended periods of time before being treated or take themselves off campus for after-hours and weekend emergencies.

In addition to more accessibility, the health center badly needs to update its budget, which has been the same for the last 15 years, according to Longhofer.

The recently released task force report acknowledges the concern of students regarding the lack of emergency medical services available on campus, but also notes that “the current budget, staffing and physical facilities do not allow” for a greater level of service.

“I heard that this was discussed with the Finance Committee at the last Board of Trustee’s meeting,” Longhofer said, “and they are considering issuing bonds to help them with renovations and to be open for a longer period.”

Senators pointed out how many other schools have around-the-clock access to medical services, but realize that they merely provide a voice of the student body to the administration – the final decision relies on funding granted by the university.

By echoing the sentiments of the task force recommendations regarding the health center, the senate is hopeful that improved service to students and increased funding for medical services will be real possibilities in the near future.

For now, senators are left to debate whether funds would be better spent on updated equipment or extended hours.