If it's true that a Howard Dean supporter brought a doctor's note to Thursday's rally in an attempt to get it signed by the doctor-turned-presidential candidate for an excused absence from class, we applaud your effort.
And if the tongue-in-cheek note were actually signed and approved by a professor, we offer our warmest congratulations for a job well done at successfully manipulating the system. Kudos.
Without splitting hairs, that alleged doctor's note is indicative of a greater trend of system manipulation. This trend, though, is neither smart-alecky nor clever enough to be brushed off.
Recently, officials at the Olin Health Center have made it clear in no uncertain terms that medical notices - a doctor's note - are no longer written and distributed freely for routine illness. Olin officials feel that an abundance of doctor's notes for appointments made with intent of skipping a class is placing an "undue burden" on Olin doctors.
An "undue burden" Why should Olin doctors care that ill students are seeking medical care and asking for a note to excuse a class absence? The doctors aren't students; they aren't the ones missing an important lecture, quiz or presentation. More students being sick is more business for them, after all.
Funny how some things work out in theory but not in practice.
The act of going to Olin Health Center for a headache, sniffle or faked illness simply to get a viable alibi for missing class is a deplorable one. Students who do this are not only doing themselves a disservice by fudging the system with bogus excuses and illness, they're tying up waiting and examination rooms for those who really do need medical attention.
To be sure, it's not the habit of The State News to sell out the student body and its elaborate and time-tested ways of avoiding class. Everyone plays hooky from school, jobs and the daily routine sometimes, but tying up medical service for those who truly need it in order to get the conscious-clearing doctor's note is plain wrong.
To anyone who's been to Olin Health Center on legitimate terms - broken bone, high fever, "social" disease - it's clear Olin is already understaffed and overpopulated by students. In turn, the staff there does a remarkable job in taking care of the student population when they're ill, broken, bruised or burnt.
Unfortunately, it's turned into a fail-safe method of well-being that some students are taking advantage of. It's a one-stop trip, guaranteed to make you better by the time you leave.
"Stepped on a nail? Better go to Olin." "Woke up with a third arm that was talking to you? Better go to Olin." "Runny nose? Better go to Olin."
Olin officials are not asking us to stay away. They are asking students to take responsibility for missing class and take the issue to their professors, not the doctor. Is it Olin Health Center's problem that you're too hung over to go to your 10:20? Not at all.
Accountability is sexier than venereal disease. Save space in the examination rooms for those who really need it, and save the excuses for missing class for your professor.
