For the first time in its eight-year history, east campus, now ASU Polytechnic, will have its own health center this fall.
After using the local Veterans Administration hospital because of a lack of funds to build its own health care facility, ASU Polytechnic will be using a converted residential house on campus to accommodate student health, said Chris Lambrakis, spokeswoman for ASU Polytechnic.
Lambrakis said the new center was the result of promised money from the most recent tuition increase, although she did not know the exact cost.
"It's nice that we'll finally be able to incorporate health services into ASU and have an ASU staff running it," she said, adding that students and faculty were getting adequate health care at the on-site VA hospital. However, the care was under a partnership not directly under the control of the University.
Louise Welter, staff psychologist at ASU Polytechnic student counseling services, said interviews are being conducted to find a full-time nurse practitioner and a part-time physician.
"They were great at the VA hospital, but it will be good to get everything under one roof," Welter said. "It was kind of confusing for students to have to go to different places for care. The new center will ultimately make the continuity of care, both physical and mental, much easier."
Reach the reporter at annemarie.moody@asu.edu.
