Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I ?AMEGOCKI Monday, Dcc.5,1977 University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. Volume LXIV,No.24 l ~ i / ? Medicaid a ? By DKBOHAII JONKS Gamccock Staff Writer a I r>_: i_ ii? * .a i?ff ?r l t;< w trior lU U le /\u^. i tuiun ui lcuciai mcuitdiu ui 11 20 funds, one-third of the women having abortions at t Southern Women's Services in Columbia used this foi of financial aid, said Jane Shealey, acting ; ministrator. Shealey said the Supreme Court ruling that worn cannot use Medicaid to finance abortions except in cas where their lives are endangered has made a "drama impact" and the number of abortions at the clinic 1 rirnnned bv about 15 nercent. r i ? / ? ? a "Not only financial considerations, but bad pr< surrounding the abortion issue have been responsible the drop in the abortion rate," said Shealey. "Medic patients have been told very clearly that the governm Withdrawals t( increase again By DOUG JOLLEY Gamecock Staff Writer Student withdrawals have increased steadily W during the last four years, despite the leveling off trends in enrollment during the same period. Since September, 1,226 students have withdrawn from the main and regional campuses. This includes part-time students, many of whom were taking only nnp or two courses. In 1974 , 643 students withdrew from the system during the fall semester. The number increased substantially in the fall of 1975 to 1,057, and the trend continued in 1976, with the number rising to 1,129. REASONS FOR WITHDRAWING include poor health, a death in the family, mental stress, emotional problems and marriage. The most ^ prominent reason given for withdrawing is financial trouble. According to the extenuating circumstances form, i chiHant uiithHrnwind frnm (hp univprsitv or from an individual course before the free drop date will have no entry on his transcript for the course. A student withdrawing from the university after the free drop date will normally receive a WF, withdrawn failing. However, a grade of W, withdrawn, i ? r*u LWIiy V.III I9HI1U an expensive > USC's five-week Christmas break, which originated as a conservation measure, will actually he more expensive than a tour-week semester break and a week-long spring break. The proposal was suggested to state supported institutions last year during the energy crisis last winter by state government officials. According to Dr. Richard Molten of the College of Business Administration, university economists ioiu these officials what would happen. The cost of running the air-conditioning for an extra three days this spring will surpass the cost of running the steam heating an additional week this semester break. nd abortior Cutoff of funds I does not think it is right for them to have abc unless they are dying." tie RATES HAVE been lowered for Medicaid patic he the center in some instances, said Shealey. Atx m cost from $150 to $200 and in some cases may go as id- $50 to $75. But Shealey said she did not think it discernable effect on college women. "Not ien Medicaid recipients can afford a college educj ;es said Shealey. tic The ruling makes it "impossible for any al ias center to simply say 'fill out a form'" to any worn; needs an abortion but cannot afford one, sa ess William Potts, resident gynecologist at the USC S for Health Center. aid Abortion agencies have lowered rates or allowe ent payments in some instances since the ruling, Foil om school i I this year may be assigned for a drop after the free drop date in exceptional cases requiring the concurrence of the appropriate academic dean and instructors. This special assignment "W" is used primarily in cases of full withdrawal from the university for medical reasons during the term or during an individual MAKSIIA DUNCAN, campus relations director in charge of handling withdrawals, said she is concerned with the lack of knowledge about withdrawals. "Many students are shocked when they walk into our office this late in the semester and realize that they'll receive a "WF" if they withdraw." she said. "Students need to talk to their advisers and learn the consequences of their dropping out." Dr. W.T. Trotter, assistant dean in the College of Science and Mathematics, said ne wouia iiKe to see a program dealing with student problems before they drop out. "When a student sees us, the decision has already been made to withdraw, and the student's mind is already made up and can rarely be changed," he said. When enrollment was smaller, records were done by hand and transcripts were constantly updated. If a student registered for a course, he was penalized if ne ciroppeo u. men, a wave 01 iiut-ruuMii &wt-pi me country's colleges on this matter, and if a student Sec mtOPMT. page ? s break vacation According to Dr. Richard Molten of the Col leg e of Business Administration, university economists told these officials what would happen. The cost of running the air-conditioning for an extra three days this spring will surpass the cost of running the steam heating an additional week this semester break. "ANOTHER TlllNCi is the fact that most of these buildings are designed air-tight, the air is circulated, washed and recirculated. We use these lights as a f " l\.f c i/l ''c ilnind t/\ hUUl i t* 111 111(11, iviuiirii Dtim. vvn??? o ^uiaufy IV happen is when you shut down these buildings, the steam plant won't be able to heat them up right away again." A I ias had 'dramatic impact' irtions He said a doctor's request can help women get special financial consideration. "I don't know an agency worth its salt that doesn't accept a doctor's request," Potts jnts at said. >rtions low as POTTS SAID the Student Health center averages had a inree 10 live unpianneo pregnancies a wtt-k. hi mesr, y.> many to 9b percent of the women elect to terminate (heir ition," pregnancies, said Potts. According to Shealey, Southern Women's Services jortion sees about ten college women a week, with anywhere in who from three to five coming from USC. id Dr. Abortion agencies are not "leaning over backwards" itudent to help college students, said Fotts. Hovcve**, he said he does not think this has lessened the mm >er of coeds d time getting abortions. "If we come down to the hard stuff s said. there are funds available." J J. ' I. fgjl 1' * E, , w ' v* jf *Tb * -i5: BLT" ^ ich ' Carolina students had to endure rainy weather last week and going to class became more of a problem than usual. These two students take different approaches tro the problems, one uses an umbrella which almost covers her, he braves it with hat only. At least their hair will he dry.