The University is known for its engineering programs, but it should boost its reputation in other areas of study. The campus has a veterinary school, with acres of land for animal science majors and veterinary students. We also have a greenhouse for botany students. There is one of the first small nuclear reactors in the nation for the chemistry, physics and nuclear engineering majors.

However, we have many pre-pharmacy students, pre-med students, biology majors, bioengineering majors and psychology majors, but do not have a hospital. The closest thing we have to a hospital is the Student Health Center. To have a hospital other than Wake Med or Rex would be advantageous to the University. Our rivals, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke, do have these facilities. There are good reasons to bring a hospital to campus.

Students would be able to get first-hand experience by shadowing and assisting professionals in their desired fields of study. They could figure out if they want to pursue a career in medicine. Jobs would open up for both students and professionals in the local Raleigh area. There are an abundance of career starting opportunities in the Research Triangle Park area. Students could move to work there through programs if we were to have a resource such as a hospital. This relationship would be mutually beneficial.

The hospital space could be used for student research, as opposed to using the less formal, normal classroom sites like those in Poe Hall. The students and researchers would have sites dedicated only to tests. This would eliminate the hassle of both researchers scheduling around classes and classes accommodating for experiments.

The University would also have another source of revenue. By providing service to more than just students, the University would be able to make more in revenue by providing service to the public. Raleigh is a highly populated area and is one of the more densely populated areas in North Carolina. With downtown just a stone’s throw away, it only makes sense to have a hospital that can care for a great number of people in the immediate area. Medical care is always a good source of revenue because this service is always needed.

The population on this campus is growing, and with 30,000-plus students in this area, people are bound to get sick and will want to find a hospital.

Students could have 24-hour care. If a student wakes up and feels like they’ll bite the big one, they will not have to wait it out to receive care. They will not have to call a friend to pick them up and drive them 12 minutes down the road. They would be able to at least take the Wolfline it to the hospital if located on campus.

If the University would invest in a project centered on constructing and staffing a fully operational and certified hospital by providing proper facilities for students, students could receive optimal medical care and optimal educational opportunities.

E-mail Mansoor at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.