health needs of the largest student body of any university in North

WHEREAS, Student Health Services at North Carolina State University serves to both treat and educate students through an average of nearly 57,000 medical visits, 9000 counseling visits, and 11,000 educational contacts per year; and,

WHEREAS, Student Health Services provide students with modern facilities and equipment, access to board certified physicians, and a staff of professionals which demand salaries comparable to the salaries of other health professionals; and,

WHEREAS, The salary increase for staff at Student Health Services averaged 5.2% for the 2000-20001 year, and the projected salary increase is 3% for the 2001-02 year with an estimated cost increase of $103,000.00; and,

WHEREAS, The student health fee at our peer institutions averages $199.54, while NC State’s is $36.54 below that average; and,

WHEREAS, The Student Health Services at North Carolina State University are greatly affected by market changes, including an ascending inflationary rate in the medical field; and,

WHEREAS, The average annual percentage change in healthcare Cost inflation is nearly 7.29% for a physician’s office, and nearly 8.03 % for prescription medicines; and,

WHEREAS, The Student Health Service has a deficit of nearly $200,000 in their reserve fund; and,

WHEREAS, The proposed Student Health Fee Increase was unanimously approved by the University Health Committee in a 12-0 vote; and,

WHEREAS, A Student Fee Increase of $8.00 per semester for the 2001-2002 year would provide Student Health Services with adequate funding to maintain the level of service provided to the students of North Carolina State University; now; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the North Carolina State University Student Senate supports a Student Health Services student fee increase in the amount of $8.00 for the 2001-2002 academic year; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the North Carolina State University Student Senate strongly encourages the Student Health Center to research additional sources of funding to replenish their reserve account, and to help keep student fees affordable.