As the semester begins and students are short on cash after paying for fees, parking and books, one thing they don’t have to worry about is how they are going to pay for doctor’s visits.

Located at the north end of campus, the Health Center provides basic health care for students at no or minimal cost.

The health fee, which is included in a student’s registration fee, is $35 for the spring and allows a student to visit the Health Center and be seen by one of the its seven providers at no cost, said Cathy Baker, assistant director for the Health Center.

“I only had to pay $2.30 for what I got done. If I went to my own doctor I would have had to pay $20. It’s better than going to my own doctor,” said Spanish major Maria Torres.

In addition to immunizations, like the flu shot, and the treatment of illnesses and infections, the Health Center offers students education on topics from alcoholism to depression, and focuses on the importance of staying healthy.

“There’s more to it than going to school everyday but not maintaining health,” Baker said. “Most of the time students really don’t realize and take it for granted that part of your responsibility to be successful in life is to take care of your mind and body.”

Through the Health Center’s counseling and psychological services, students can schedule a limited number of private, group and crisis counseling sessions. Students are also able to see a counselor for help with effective stress management and help with personal relationships.

Another highly used program in the Health Center is the Family PACT program, which assists students with reproductive care, STI testing and treatments, and birth-control options.

The state and federally funded PACT program is available to all students who apply and are financially eligible.

“It pays for those things that you would otherwise have to pay for. It’s a free program and I’d say 90 percent of our students qualify because most of them make under the income limit,” said Bonnie White, the Health Center’s health resource specialist.

Another feature of the Health Center is the full-service pharmacy which provides students with discounted prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs such as cold medications and pain relievers.

Baker said that medications are offered at low cost because students pay what the medications cost.

The newly remodeled Health Center features a new reception and waiting area. White said students can look forward to additional improvements such as a resource area stocked with informational brochures and computer terminals where students can look up more information on health care.

The Health Center also plans to add a computerized self check-in service and a health services link to the Titan Online system so that students can make appointments online.

“There is a big component in a student’s life that is critical to help them succeed with their academic mission or goal, and that is health,” Baker said.

The Health Center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.