Missouri State University students approved a plan to roughly double the size of the Taylor Health and Wellness Center and bring additional services to the new building, including a women’s health center and sports medicine clinic.
Beginning in fall 2017, a student fee of $29 per semester would be applied to student tuition to support the capital improvements and maintain the center.
According to
online information posted by MSU’s Student Government Association, a groundbreaking would take place next fall, and construction is expected to be complete a year later.
The existing roughly 16,000-square-foot building is at 97 percent capacity. The new 37,800-square-foot building would be constructed on the current Taylor Health site just north and east of the Plaster Student Union.
MSU Assistant Director of Communications Andrea Mostyn said 3,042 students, or 79 percent of those who participated, voted for the expansion and student fees; 480, or 13 percent, voted no; and 316, or 8 percent, abstained.
An estimate on the total cost of the project was not available by deadline.
In addition to the women’s health center and sports medicine clinic – which would offer free evaluations for students by a certified athletic trainer – several other features are planned for the new facility, including:
• a fast-track clinic for basic health care;
• free Strep tests, mono tests, blood tests and urinalysis for students, which would be performed in the Taylor Health lab;
• a drive-thru pharmacy;
• mental health counseling services;
• a travel clinic with free consultations for students;
• dedicated consultant space for clinics, such as dermatology, gynecology and orthopedics; and
• expanded hours to include one evening clinic and a Saturday morning clinic.
