Bakersfield College students are entitled to basic health care through the $13 fee that’s paid every semester when students register for classes. According to staff at the student health center, more students are making use of the services offered as well as the medications available.

“We have a table at the check-in desk with over-the-counter medications that students are free to help themselves to as well as water,” said Jo Ann Acosta, office staff for the center. “Students are required to sign in though if they take water and medications. That way we can track what’s being used and by whom.”

The student health center offers services such as tuberculosis testing, pregnancy tests, hearing and vision screening, first aid and cholesterol screening among others. The center also offers referral services for students who need more assistance than what they can provide for on campus.

The center staffs a doctor, registered nurse and now a clinical social worker to assist students with any concerns or physical ailments they may have. The doctor on staff is Dr. Rowena Velasquez who is on duty Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. until noon.

Students may also stop in and take information brochures that reference outside services such as third-party student health, dental and vision insurance.

“We definitely make use of student input as to what types of brochures to display,” Acosta said. “If a student asks us for information that we don’t have, we order it so the brochures are available the next time they come in.”

The student health center is located directly below the financial aid office and is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. until noon on Fridays.