Many Students Overlook Role of Health Workers

The common joke on campus is that health workers are only around to hand out condoms-a sign of the battle health workers face for recognition.

Many students do not know about the health worker program, and others say it is unnecessary. Still other students only turn to health workers when they are in a jam and need a free condom and lubrication.

"I didn't know that we had a health worker ... Well, I knew that we had one, but I don't know how to contact our health worker or what he does," says Megan Casey, a freshman who lives in the dorms.

But health workers are trying to dispel these stereotypes by informing students about the services they provide.

"Health workers are important because typically lots of students won't go to the Tang Center for help," says Cristobal Olivares, the Health Worker Program director. "They think it's too far or have the misconception that they have to pay. It's easier to go down the hall and ask."

Health workers do offer a medically trained and sympathetic ear for students to discuss their problems-something many students don't realize. And they don't have to report violations to dorm policy, which makes them more attractive to students.

"Health workers are bound by a strict confidentiality code, which does not allow them to report anything told to them unless in a life-threatening situation," says Sandip Soni, co-senior coordinator of the Residence Halls' cluster of health workers. "Resident advisors can't be confidential. They are obligated to write people up for not following hall rules."

Despite the confidentiality, though, many students say they would rather turn to their friends for help.

"My health worker is not the first person that I would go to with relationship problems," says Katie Kondo, a UC Berkeley freshman. "I would rather go to people that I know first."

Though many health workers expected to see a resurgence in their prominence on campus after the Sept. 11 attacks, students say they would rather talk to their parents over the phone about the tragedy than turn to the health workers down the hall.

The health workers role is simple: Teach students how to take care of themselves and support students who become overwhelmed.

"We're not their mothers. We're not here to read them stories," says Garett Ng, a health worker at Clark Kerr Campus. "We're here to teach them to take care of themselves."

Aside from providing contraceptives and medicine, most health workers and resident advisors say they want to build community among their residents.

"I really wanted to help build community-let people get to know one another," Ng says. "There was no real sense of community when I was in the dorms."

Some health workers also see the program as a way to explore the medical field in a very hands-on manner.

"I'm pursuing medicine, and (the program) gave me a chance to explore along those lines," says Kevin Tang, a former health worker. "It also gave me a chance to interact with the residents, but in a way that promotes health."

But not all health workers are pre-med, and not all of them want to be doctors. Health workers major in a variety of different fields.

Despite their good intentions, however, some students say the health workers really aren't needed, while admitting they are a convenient source for medical supplies.

"I can figure out whether or not I need to go to the doctor. If not, I know what number to call to find out where to go," says Liz Pannell, a freshman who lives in the dorms.

Another freshman says he went to his health worker twice, once to get a condom and lubricants and a second time when he was sick. When he was sick, the health worker stocked him up on Hawaiian Punch-for its vitamin C.

Health workers do not receive all the benefits a resident advisor is granted. They are guaranteed housing, but they have to pay for it. They also have to share a room, which makes the job a little more difficult.

Since their roommates are not bound by the same confidentiality code, they have to leave the room when a resident needs to talk to the health worker.

"It was a drag at first, but it gives me an excuse to visit people around the dorm," says Mike Kyle, a freshman who lives in a double with a health worker.

Other roommates, however, are not as cooperative. One health worker caught his roommate practicing oral sex on one of the safer sex supplies.

The health worker program is divided into three clusters: the residence halls, the Greek community and the co-op and theme groups.

The health worker's role in the different clusters is the same, but each cluster has its own individual problems and concerns.

Health workers begin training the week before move-in day and continue training throughout the year. They take classes at the Tang Center, alternating between medical and social issues.

In the residence halls, the health worker coordinates some activities with the resident advisors. Health workers sponsor workshops for the residents, as well as weekly health tips dealing with anything from "the freshman fifteen" to sexual harassment.

In the Greek community, not all fraternities and sororities have health workers, though most do. The health workers are members of the Greek house in which they work. In the co-ops, all residents are students, but not necessarily UC Berkeley students, so they cannot benefit from resources at the Tang Center.

"It makes the health workers job harder," says Melanie Ramirez, senior health worker coordinator for the co-ops.

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