A few weeks ago, Barbara Stotts, systems analyst at Iowa State, was playing racquetball at Beyer Hall with several other ISU staff and faculty members when she took a racquet to the head. Her head was bleeding profusely, but doctors at the Student Health Center refused to give her stitches.

“I was just kind of surprised, as a staff member, that I couldn’t be treated. I wasn’t expecting free service; I have insurance,” Stotts said. “My head was bleeding. What if it been a real emergency, a matter of life and death?”

The answer to that question is unsettling to some faculty members, as Student Health Center does not allow faculty or staff to receive medical treatment except in cases of extreme emergency.

“There is no money at the moment from faculty and staff. The center is funded by student fees,” said Charles Dobbs, executive assistant to ISU President Martin Jischke.

James Nelson, director of the Student Health Center, also said the issue was a matter of money.

“The Student Health Center was built by students for students,” said Nelson, who has been director since Sept. 15 of last year.

Nelson said the policy changed in 1994 after an audit of the health center found too many non-students were being treated.

“We experienced a crackdown by auditors, and we now have a contract for faculty and staff at the McFarland Clinic,” he said.

Since 1994, who can be treated and under what circumstances they can be treated has changed drastically. Apparently, there is some confusion about the policy.

Professor of journalism and mass communication Tom Emmerson was playing with Stotts when she cut her head. Emmerson said he was treated at the Student Health Center recently.

“I was injured while playing racquetball about a year and a half ago, and I received stitches at the health center without a problem,” Emmerson said.

Mark Blaedel, former director of the Student Health Center, said he does not recall Emmerson being treated, or any other faculty since 1994 for that matter.

“I know nothing about that. The building and services are for the students, and I am not aware of that happening,” Blaedel said.

Emmerson also said when he took Stotts in for treatment a few weeks ago, he asked what action would have been taken had he brought someone into the center having a heart attack. He said the nurse replied, “We would call an ambulance for you.”

Nelson said in the case of a heart attack or other life-threatening ailments, the health center would make an exception and treat the faculty member.

“We will give first aid to those who come into the center, if we cannot treat them. We will also treat people in life and death situations and arrange for ambulatory services,” he said. In the case of Stotts, she was given an ice pack.

Nelson also said the Student Health Center is not an emergency room, and staffers at the center advise individuals in emergency situations to call 911.

Roy Johnson, professor in management, said he thought the policy and the Stotts incident was “unacceptable.”

“I think it would be a shock to most members of faculty and staff at ISU to learn of this incident. The information on conditions of treatment need to be updated and visible for people to see, and it is not,” Johnson said. “Policy is one thing, but it is something else in terms of a medical emergency.”

Osei Appiah, assistant professor of communications, said he thought the Student Health Center should concentrate more on treating people and less on policy.

“Saving a life is priority and should not be ignored because of a loophole or a bureaucratic policy. The center has a responsibility to help those in need, be that a serious injury or a life-threatening condition,” Appiah said.