Fee Increase is Bad Medicine

The Falsehood of “Voting for Health”

By Andrew R Quinio
Posted on 03/06/05

When I found out the Tang Center would be asking for more money, the first thought that crossed my mind was: “So that’s how they will pay for free condoms and lubrication in the future.” Of course, that is not the reason the Tang Center is giving us for raising our student fees. From March 8 through 10, students will have a chance to give more money to the Tang Center by voting on-line for a fee increase. Supposedly, the center is in dire straits, and needs every student’s fees raised for the betterment of all mankind. My diagnosis: The Tang Center does not need more money.

So far, the referendum campaign has been one-sided. Other than this opinion article, there has been no organized opposition to fee increases. Officials and campaigners from the Tang Center are telling students to “Vote for Health.” Let’s be honest. The Tang Center wants students to vote for higher student fees ($43 per semester to be exact), which translates into a bigger bank account for the center. Health will not improve with more money. Masquerading the pro-increase vote as a “Vote for Health” is like Democrats calling their tax increase an “investment in the future.” This is another case of harmful liberal policies hiding behind euphemisms.

Liberals also like to throw money at problems (or in BAMN’s case, extort money to solve their problems). Ronald Reagan was right. His summary of Liberal policy: “If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” That is exactly what is happening with this fee increase.

Giving the Tang Center more money whenever it has a problem provides them no incentive to improve. By voting for a fee increase, we provide a safety net that allows them to screw up, thus removing any accountability on their part. The message that we send is “Money solves everything. Don’t bother working toward a real, sustainable solution; just ask for more money.” If students vote yes this time around, the Tang Center will not hesitate to force another fee increase when future problems arise. Giving an inch on March 8 won’t deter the Tang Center from taking a mile later on.

Just as a tax increase would not solve California’s budget problems, a fee increase for Berkeley students will not help the Tang Center. According to the University Health Services website, problems include longer wait times for appointments and shorter hours of operation. If students increase the Tang Center’s budget, we will still have long lines. The difference will be that students will stand in those lines for much longer hours.

The problems of the Tang Center are not attributed to the lack of money but the lack of competence among those who head the center. Before I get many angry e-mails and am refused a flu-shot next year, I will mention that I have hope in the dedicated, hard-working staff at the Tang Center. However, an increased budget will not improve their functioning or leadership. The center should perform a complete review of its organization and work from within to find and fix its problems, rather than rush to the wallets of Berkeley students.

The problems go beyond a few long lines and short hours of operation. In the upcoming March issue of the California Patriot, writer Kerry Eskenas provides a shocking report about several students who had been misdiagnosed by the Tang Center. Without revealing too much from Kerry’s outstanding report, I will provide a small preview. One student who sought help from the Tang Center was told that she was pregnant. Should we be giving more money to a health center so it can erroneously tell more co-eds that they got knocked up? More shocking stories are provided in the upcoming issue, and I urge all students to read what Kerry found out about the Tang Center before voting.

The measure to increase fees can only pass if 20 percent of the student body votes, and a majority of that 20 percent votes in favor of the increase. Thus, don’t vote. By abstaining from the vote, there is less of a chance that the referendum can reach its 20 percent requirement, and therefore less of a chance that we lose $86 a year. The last thing we need is another price slapped on our already inflated CARS account for a disorganized health facility. The Tang center must take the time to find better solutions. We as students need to hold the Tang Center accountable. On March 8 through 10 just abstain from the vote. Abstinence will be the best protection against higher fees.

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