Fresno City College students who pay a $19 health fee each semester derive numerous benefits from the services provided.

The health fee is mandatory for all FCC students, whether attending classes on or off campus.  Among the benefits are free immunizations, TB screenings and health assessment for issues such as tuberculosis.

“They have to schedule an appointment with health services which gives them the pieces they need in order to go to the clinical setting,” Stephanie Robinson, director of nursing, said. “At the hospital, they need to have their immunizations up-to-date. Their TB and skin tests have to be done every year. When they go to health services, that off-sets that cost.”

Students can be obtain a waiver from the health services fee if they do not seek medical care or for religious reasons. Students attending a community college under an approved apprenticeship and training program are also exempt from the health fee.

Robinson said that the health fee has a “positive impact” on students.

“The nurses in health services actually respond to medical emergencies on campus,” Robinson said. “They always involve our police department. Also if they need to get emergency services through an ambulance, they also initiate that as well.”