After a long day of work, Peggy Huckeba, assistant dean of students, leaves her office in the student center. Huckeba served female students on campus, dealing with discipline issues as well as social club matters. Pat Rice, director of student health services, takes a student's blood pressure. The health center saw more than 16,000 students during the 2000-2001 school year, which prompted a change in chapel attendance policies. Photo by Curtis Seright Increased numbers bring new policy to health services Carson sees new regulations as preparation for 'real world' • • · · · · • • · · • · • • • • by chad lawson Hardingadministratorsinstitutedanewchapel : "That office is just swamped," Carson said. attendance policy this year in an effort to expand • "Now, it's just not logical to have to stand and the student body's general sense of independence • wait in line at 8 a.m. in the nurses' office if and to provide relief to the university's ever-busy : you're sick." health services office. Pat Rice, a registered nurse who heads the Under the new policy, stu- campus health services office, dents continued to have 10 said she supported the policy, unexcused chapel absences but "All we want to do is to but not because it eased the had five additional cuts that make students feel a patient load in her office. could be excused by a self-writ- "This makes it easier on ten letter to be turned in to the little more independent. the students, and it also student services office within The more decisions the makes them more respona week of the illness. students are allowed to sible for their own ab- "All we want to do is to sences," said Rice, who's make students feel a little more make.... the more the!::f worked at Harding for 20 independent," said Dr. Delores become acclimated to the years. "It hasn't changed life Carson, assistant vice presi- real world,, for us that much." dent for Student Services. "The Most Harding students moredecisionsthestudentsare - Dr. Delores Carson seemed to favor the new allowed to actually make on policy but said there was be their own, the more they be- plenty of room for irresponcome acclimated to the real world. That's [what] • sible students to abuse it. we're shooting for-we want to prepare stu- : "I think it's a good idea, but I think a lot of dents for their professional lives after Harding." • people will take advantage of it," said sophoCarson said she hoped the new policy re- • more Katy Wandel. lieved some of the pressure placed on the • "Because students have behaved so well with university'shealthservicesoffice,whichlogged •their special events, we were able to do this," more than 16,000 student visits in the 2000-2001 • Carson said. "Some will abuse it, but most will school year. : use it responsibly." 140 academics Photo by Andrea Waters
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