Student task forces on publications, Baldwin examine precedent, privacy

Hayley Tsukayama Staff Writer

Two student task forces born out of controversy last semester are beginning to redress the issues that created them. Concerns over the content of Vassar Student Association (VSA) organizations’ publications and the atmosphere within Baldwin Health Center led the VSA Council to establish two task forces to examine these issues.

The Publications Task Force, formed in early November in the wake of The Imperialist controversy, was given the responsibility of defining the proper rules of censorship for the content in VSA-sponsored literature.

The Task Force, headed by VSA Vice-President Kelsey Woods ’06, has since narrowed its focus to examine only student publications—not statements or other types of literature—issued by organizations. “We were given a broad goal,” said Woods. “The task was too unmanageable.”

In their mission statement, they outlined how they narrowed the focus of the group. They also intend to codify future task force conclusions into the official VSA By-Laws, making the regulations permanent. The statement says that the Task Force will look to peer institutions, “past situations,” and students to come to a thoughtful, meaningful resolution.

“We don’t just want [our decision] to be filed away somewhere,” said Woods regarding the amended by-laws. “We hope that whatever we decide will have further implications.” Woods added that the Task Force is committed to reaching a conclusion before the semester ends.

Led by Chelsea Backer ’07, the Baldwin Task Force has met frequently with Baldwin Director Irena T. Balawadjer, M.D. The task force is committed to working with the staff at Baldwin to ensure that the lines of communication remain open between students and the Health Center.
“We have to let [Balawadjer] know what’s going on,” said Backer. “It’s not an ‘us versus them’ scenario.”
Backer said that one of the Task Force’s first priorities was to look into privacy policies at Baldwin, following up on concerns that the center was violating certain provisions of the widely used Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Students had reported hearing medical professionals discussing private patient information in open waiting rooms.

The Task Force discovered that Baldwin and all other educational institutions’ infirmaries operate under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), under which such behavior is allowed. This, Backer quickly added, is a serious ethical problem and one of the many things the Task Force is trying to resolve with the health center. The Task Force plans to distribute a survey to students including questions about how welcome students feel at the center and how satisfied they were with their visits.

Backer also said that the Task Force will address issues like “misdiagnosis and non-continuity of care.” She noted that she hopes students will be as involved as possible in making Baldwin a more comfortable place.

“This is not something that can be resolved in a semester,” said Backer.