Serious error in boycott column
As a member of California Scholars for Academic Freedom, I wish to draw people’s attention to an error in Sam Sukaton’s Viewpoint column in Wednesday’s Daily Bruin (“Boycott of Israel not the right answer,” March 4). Our group, which is focused on violations of academic freedom in California and the United States, has not endorsed the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.
We did issue a press release when Israeli armed forces bombed universities and schools in Gaza because that act deprived professors and students of their right to teach and to be educated. (The right to education is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.) We sent this press release to the Daily Bruin, but it was not printed.
We also wrote a letter in support of an Iranian-American graduate student who was arrested for doing dissertation research in Iran.
Our other activities to date have focused on U.S. professors who have been attacked or fired for being critical of the Israeli government’s policies in the West Bank and Gaza or for being critical of the American government’s policies in the Middle East (including Iraq). We are also vigilant about preventing cancellation of controversial programs about the Middle East on U.S. campuses.
Katherine Callen King,
Comparative literature and classics professor at UCLA,
Member of California Scholars for Academic Freedom
Arthur Ashe Center is here for you
We at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center are concerned that Avni Nijhawan’s Viewpoint column on March 5 (“Ashe Center fails to efficiently provide for students”) may discourage some students from seeking care at the Ashe Center. We want to assure UCLA students that we are strongly committed to serving their health care needs.
We understand the writer’s frustration with trying to get online appointments. We have more than 80,000 patient visits during the year, most of them booked online on the Ashe Center Web site, www.studenthealth.ucla.edu. (Students can also call for appointments at 310-825-4073.)
In an urgent situation, students can also get assistance in other ways, including a 24/7 nurse line ““ 866-704-9660 ““ where any UCLA student, not just those who are covered by the Student Health Insurance Program, can receive information and guidance. Students also can call in or walk in to the Ashe Center to book an appointment. And any student can contact his or her assigned primary care provider by using the secure message route, which is also online.
In addition, we have the triage service, which is staffed by experienced nurse practitioners who provide in-person information and advice. Finally, if any student feels he or she has a medical emergency, we are fortunate to have on campus the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Emergency Room.
Regarding prescriptions, the Ashe Center has a convenient on-site pharmacy that is often less expensive than other options. There also are pharmacies in the 100 Medical Plaza and 200 Medical Plaza buildings, which are on campus, as well as others in Westwood.
The UC Regents require all UCLA students to have health insurance ““ whether it is SHIP or a private insurer. However, every single registered UCLA student is eligible to use the Ashe Center, regardless of which health insurance they choose.
For the SHIP students, most fees for service are incorporated into their premium with no out-of-pocket costs, except for medications. For those who do not have SHIP, there is a nominal fee; students can apply to their own insurance carrier for reimbursement. This is standard practice with all kinds of medical insurance.
We feel that SHIP is an excellent health insurance value because of its lower premium and comprehensive coverage. Furthermore, the Ashe Center is an excellent value because of its accessibility, high quality of care and affordable cost. Providing affordable health care has always been a challenge throughout this nation. The Ashe Center meets the challenge. We welcome all students to contact us regarding their concerns at shsmail@ashe.ucla.edu. Also, more information is on our Web site: www.studenthealth.ucla.edu.
Jo Ann Dawson, M.D.,
Executive director of
Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center