UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Thursday, August 29, 1996 5A Steve Puppe / KANSAN Watkins expansion will improve service The 90-year-old Watkins Health Center has been undergoing major renovations. The 20,000 square foot addition includes 25 new exam rooms and private check-in areas. Project includes new exam rooms, check-in areas By Ashleigh Roberts Kansan staff writer Watkins Memorial Health Center is undergoing structural surgery to provide students with better care and increased services. The 90-year-old, 60,000-square-foot building is already the largest student health care center in the country, said James Strobl, director of health care services. Watkins will become even larger with a 20,000 square-foot addition, which is scheduled to open next semester. Strobl said when he became director of Watkins in 1983, 15,000 students visited the center each year. Now that number has grown to 45,000. "That is a 300 percent patient increase and we are continuing to grow," Strobl said. Eighty-two percent of the student body used the health center at least once last year, Strobl said, but only 25 percent of the visits were done by appointment. "We're hoping to increase the number of scheduled appointments to 80 percent after the addition," Strobl said. "It will really cut the time students spend in the waiting room." Students will also benefit from 25 new patient exam rooms. "All of our rooms will come equipped with a sink and medical cabinets so they can be used for exams or offices." Strobli said. Five new beds will be added to the urgent care section that handles minor accidents and specialized procedures, he said. Watkins is called an early-care facility instead of a hospital, because strict legal terms require that hospitals have specialized medical equipment the health center doesn't need. Strobl said the gynecology department would take up most of the second floor of the addition. The health center is also installing separate check-in booths that will speed up the process while offering students more privacy, Strobl said. Other additions include a new X-ray machine, 19 bathrooms with wheelchair accessibility, more computer hook-ups, back-up generator outlets, pharmacy counseling booths, and a doctor's library for meetings, recruiting and official functions. recruiting and official functions. Strobi said plans for the addition began in 1991 and were presented to Student Senate in March of 1993. "That is a 300 percent patient increase and we are continuing to " grow." James Strob director of health-care services The health center originally asked for a yearly $11 student fee for 25 years, but the finance committee raised the fee to $15 for 15 years. However, the contracting bid was $11 million dollars cheaper than expected. "As a result, the bond will be done in 11 years and it saves students a lot of money," Strobl said. "Every cent the health center gets is from the students. We don't receive a single penny from the state. That's why it is the students' health center." Students support the addition despite the hassle of construction. Kelly Watson, Wichita sophomore, said it was worth the wait. "It's kind of an inconvenience, but the changes had to take place," she said. "The parts that are done look really good." Ragweed and pollen invasion signals onslaught of allergies Harsh hay fever season descends upon the area; Watkins informs students, others to take cover By Ashleigh Roberts Kansan staff writer Icthy eyes, runny noses and sinus pressure are about to reach an all-time high as allergy sufferers head into one of the worst allergy seasons in years, said Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins Health Center. "The pollen count has been doubling every day for the last week," he said. "Rain, wind velocity and humidity affect the level of pollen. Because of all the rain and humidity we've had over the last six weeks, we can expect this allergy season to be pretty bad." Yockey said he thought half of Watkins' patients this Labor Day weekend would be there because of allergies. Ragweed, a common weed in the Midwest that causes many allergies, matures in mid-August. It peaks over Labor Day weekend and disappears after the first major freeze. Yockey said. "It should start tapering off around Sept. 15, but it will be bad during the next few weeks as farmers harvest their fields," he said. "The combines strip the pollen out of the crops and deposit it in the air." Allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, is medically defined as an inflammation of the nose, which can extend to the eyes, throat and lungs. But the name has nothing to do with hay or fever. The word originates from a German physician who in the late 1800s noticed that farmers developed infections when they bailed hay. Yockey said. Many people think a fever can be a sign of an allergy, but that's not the case, Yockey said. Fevers and discolored mucus signal a bacterial sinus infection. Allergies, however, can develop into a sinus infection. The nose operates like a car muffler, he said. The hairs and the crevices in the nose filter pollen, dust, dirt and other particles by trapping them in a layer of moisture that becomes mucus. Some particles get past that lining and the body sees them as foreign and retaliates. Over-the-counter products bring cheap relief from minor allergy symptoms without requiring a visit to the doctor, but they can have side effects, Yockey said. "There is a tremendous danger with over-the-counter nasal sprays," he said. "Students can become addicted in less than a week, and it can turn into a real disaster very quickly. But they are great for one-time use." Yockey said spending more time inside air-conditioned buildings, lots of rest and abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes helped lower allergy symptoms. Prescription drugs and weekly shots can help people with more-serious allergy symptoms. Watkins offers such services. Renee Greenberg, Northbrook, Ill., junior, has received shots once a week since seventh grade. She said it was worth the trouble. The cost of your health Office visits to Watkins' allergy clinic are free for students, and the pharmacy accepts insurance for prescriptions. The clinic is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For appointments, call 864-9507. The truth is out there for students asking tough questions about sex By Megan Jordan Kansan staff writer Sex and college are like peanut butter and jelly — it is difficult to think of one and not the other. And with more than half of college students engaging in sexual activity, there are plenty of questions. The University of Kansas and Lawrence offer information sources. Sondra Speer, graduate assistant for the University Information Center, said the service received questions about sex all the time. The questions range from inquiries about ovulation and sexually transmitted diseases to offensive remarks. "If it's really a legitimate question, I'll answer it," Speer said. "If I think they're being really gross or trying to offend me I won't." Speer said KU Info often could answer basic questions with a medical dictionary. KU Info also refers students to Planned Parenthood, 1420 Kasold Drive, or Watkins Memorial Health Center. Speer also said she would not hesitate to tell students to visit a doctor or hospital if she thought they had a problem. The Department of Health Promotion and Education at Watkins informs individuals, couples and large groups about health-related topics. Students can pick up written information or talk one-to-one with a health expert. Janine Gracy, health educator, said the department liked to focus on freshman and sophomores because they were more vulnerable than older students. Gracy said she sees students of all ages and an equal number of men and women in her office. "There are students who come in here and can't believe I would say sex in front of them, or condom for that matter," she said. "Some know quite a bit, but others just got the plumbing lecture in biology, which doesn't help much." Besides answering questions, Counseling and Psychological Services, also in Watkins, discusses more personal concerns with students. Frank Desalvo, director of Counseling and Psychological Services, said advice about sex was not what most students asked for. Instead, students often seek help in dealing with the consequences of their actions. Desalvo said he did not think young people were reluctant about seeking advice or educating themselves, but they often turned to non-professional sources. "We have lots of students who have done reading on subjects they are interested in or talked to their friends or someone they trust," he said. The Lawrence Douglas County Health Department, 336 Missouri St., offers another option for students. All services are confidential and are either free or can be paid on a sliding-fee scale. "Many of our services are exactly like Watkins," said Barbara Schnitker, director of nurses. "We encourage students to go there because their fees are actually paying for the services. Plus, it is probably more convenient for students since it is right on campus." Don't cut this out to Most burger combs are at least $2.99. But Ta-ha has Extreme Value Combs starting at $1.99. Whis means every time you buy a $1.99 Extreme Value Combo at Tacoo Bell, you're saving at least a dollar. No coupons. No hassles. Just great Combs. From tacos to burtos, each with a medium drink. Such an incredible value we had to call it extreme. 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