After operating for most of a school year, the new Student Health Center at Flathead Valley Community College has seen more than 300 students even though it is only open approximately 12 hours a week.

“The feedback from the majority of the students has been very positive,” college President Jane Karas said. “They greatly appreciate having it available on campus.”

The clinic is funded by a $45-per-semester fee, which is mandatory for all FVCC students taking seven or more credits at the Kalispell campus except for Running Start high school students. Students taking between four and six credits can also opt to pay the fee, as can online and Lincoln County students.

The clinic is open for four hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings and early afternoons — prime time for many students to be on campus.

“Our campus location and walk-in schedule are very convenient to busy students who need to be seen quickly or on short notice,” physician assistant Shelley Naomi said. “Some students had to go to the ER for minor illness because it was the only place that would see them without same-day payment.”

While popular with many students, the new health center, which opened in August, has at least one vocal detractor.

Kirsten Wantaja, an FVCC student paying for her own education, balked at the $45-per-semester fee, which is imposed regardless of independent student health insurance.

“It’s absolutely mandatory. Us students have a voice, and this is an unfair fee,” Wantaja said.

“With Obamacare we are already forced to pay for our own insurance,” she told FVCC’s board of trustees. “And now we have an additional fee? All students should be treated fairly. I’m asking for a pay-per-visit setup.”

Over the first two semesters of its operation, the clinic has received $128,550 from the student fees. The clinic has also received the first of five annual gifts of $50,000 from an anonymous donor, bringing this year’s funding to $178,550.

Of that, $114,250 goes to staffing costs (including medical and clerical staff) and $64,000 toward operational costs (supplies, equipment, lab costs and the health information system).

Karas defended the fee, pointing to the 300 students who have used the clinic as evidence of its importance. The fee in part goes toward eliminating co-payments for the walk-in clinic — which handles cuts, sprains, colds and flu and can evaluate sexual health.

Karas said the first year of the clinic is a trial run and the college will evaluate performance at the end of the year to see if the clinic is meeting the needs of the students.

Wantaja wants an option to waive the fee, but both the University of Montana and Montana State University also have mandatory health clinic fees, Karas said.

MSU’s health fee is $183 a semester while UM charges $227 a semester.

Rich Nerison, a 53-year old exercise science student, agrees with Wantaja’s complaint. He also has his own health insurance and finds the additional fee unnecessary.

“I believe that this $45 fee was forced upon us without an option,” he said. “It would be nice to have a choice. I believe that this is a good thing for students who do not have health insurance and go to the clinic.”

Other students say they find the clinic a godsend.

Marlayna Bryant, a 29-year old licensed practical nursing student, is one of them. Bryant had been paying hundreds of dollars to deal with a lingering health issue.

“Having the clinic there has been an awesome opportunity,” she said. “They are flexible with their schedule. I went in today for free and got done in 15 minutes what I would have had to schedule three weeks in advance and pay a lot more for.”

In Karas’ opinion, the $45 isn’t much in the grand scheme and students already pay technology and parking fees. Still, she has heard Wantaja’s complaints.

“The budget committee is reviewing the student health clinic,” Karas said. “I haven’t heard from any other students with concerns about the clinic or the fee.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.