Office of Campus Life responds to Counseling Center criticism
Dear Editor:
I am writing to correct some misperceptions expressed in "Lack of campus psychiatric services" ("Letters to the Editor," The Eagle, November 2, 2006). The Student Health Center did experience a change in staffing for psychiatric services recently. However, all students affected by this change received a detailed letter explaining their options. There was no gap in service for students, and the Student Health Center has actually expanded the hours that a psychiatrist is available. In addition, the staff in the Counseling Center are highly trained licensed professionals with advanced degrees in psychology or social work, and graduate and postgraduate trainees are carefully selected and supervised by the professional staff. The Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc., and its internship program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Counseling services are complemented by psychiatric services for medication management available through the Student Health Center. Students with additional questions about these services may contact the Student Health Center at (202) 885-3201 or the Counseling Center at (202) 885-3500.
Sincerely, Faith Leonard Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Office of Campus Life
Local election advice: Vote Cheh
Does one vote for Mary Cheh (D), or Theresa Conroy (R)? The easy answer is vote for Mary Cheh.
One of the largest problems on our campus is the lack of housing. For economically depressed graduate students, there's the option of living in the luxurious Park Bethesda, or finding off-campus housing. Cheh, with some conditions, would support D.C. forcing the creation of more "on-campus housing," which would be great for students. Mrs. Conroy just says "no." The end result? Students are forced into neighborhoods.
As a seasoned apartment-hunter, I can say there is a severe housing shortage in D.C., and rents and house prices are outrageous. What I pay a month for my little apartment in Northwest is more than my friends' mortgage payment for a full house in Cleveland. Conroy promises there will be little to no growth and that the propertied elite, through their ANCs, will have more power to limit establishment of affordable housing. This will force our graduate students and upperclassman into suburbia and necessitate owning cars, which will increase pollution - or worse, will force students to live in higher-crime neighborhoods. Cheh has stressed smart growth on existing Metro and Metrobus lines and preserving green space. This would grow the tax base, possibly reducing everyone's tax burden.
Finally, Conroy ignores the importance of town-gown partnerships. If she had her way there would be no magnificent Katzen Center, or WCL, or even a Tenley Campus. Conroy is opposed to allowing universities to move off of their campuses. I know firsthand that thanks to the visionary leadership of the SUNY system economically depressed parts of New York are being revived. Think about the business that the Katzen brings to Tenleytown, or how AY student single-handedly keep Steak and Egg in business.
The choice on Tuesday is simple: Vote for Cheh.
Thank you, Peter Brusoe
Graduate student in the School of Public Affairs and former vice-chair of the College Republicans at SUNY Albany
