Photo by Dave Kao
The health center computer system will save the University $18,000 this year.
Computer saves bucks
By Aleta Zak
Of the Emerald
The computer age is touching more and
more University departments, and the student
Health Center is no exception
In 1981, the center transferred all its
accounting records to a computerized system
The center paid $8,000 for four video display
terminals and two line printers, replacing a
full-time accounting clerk
Carl Schwartz, Health Center
administrator, says the system saved enough
money in labor and personnel costs during its
first operational year to pay for all the
equipment. This year, the computers will save
the center about $18,000, he estimates
The system operates on a nationally
standardized code system that gives numbers
to all medical and laboratory procedures.
At night, two keypunch operaters store the
day’s information in the computer. Students
can walk into the Health Center and get a
printout of all their charges for medical
services for the entire year, says Schwartz.
Darlene Morss, who processes health
center insurance claims, says the system
changed the entire scope of her job.
“I don’t have more free time, because I
have so many other different jobs to do now,"
says Morss. “But I really like the new system.”
The center used to take three months to
send out a bill to an insurance company,
Schwartz says. This often caused problems for
students who found their registration packets
held because their health center bills hadn't
been paid
"After they got flagged down at registra
tion, they had to make special arrangements
with us and the business office," says
Schwartz.
Along with making the accounting
department more efficient, the center has used
the computer as a management tool to
determine how to cut operating costs
Two years ago, Schwartz used the com
puter to study use patterns at the infirmary.
The results showed some infirmary
services could be combined with the regular
center services, so the infirmary was closed
The most important job of the computer
has been saving money to keep health costs
down, says Schwartz.
If most college health centers don’t switch
to computer records within the next five years,
their costs won’t be competetive with other
hospitals and clinics, he says.
The University’s health center accounting
records system is the first in the nation to go
completely computerized on this level,
Schwartz says.
Schwartz says the University system will
become a model for other colleges. For
example, officials from other college health
centers, including Princeton University’s and
the University of Colorado's, have called
Schwartz about the system.
Chinese exchange positions open
Wanted: two people who have
training or experience teaching
English and some knowledge
and experience of China to
participate in an informal
exchange program with Xian
Medical College in China.
Mike Fish, a University
Chinese professor, and Mary
Ann Burris, a University English
professor, kicked off the in
formal exchange during
1981-82. Two University
graduate students are filling the
professors’ University positions.
The students selected for the
posts probably will be the only
foreigners living on the campus.
Interested people should
apply by April 15 and should
provide a resume of their
education and experience ana a
listing of references. Applica
tions can be turned in at the
Asian Studies department.
On'v Oregon Appearance
l\-r ’ 3 * ’
' \>V v\V *■" ‘ "
HIGH STYLE
SUSPENSE and ENTERTAINMENT
FOR A BARGAIN PRICE!
BEST SELLERS 20% OFF
• NYT hardcover list only
• Limited to stock on hand
• Cash register sales only
#7 New York Times
Best Seller List
“Banker”
by Dick Francis
What does horse racing,
investment banking, and murder
have in common?
Banker, a penetrating suspense
novel — one of “those" you just
can’t put down
your cost
rcg. ‘14.95
13th & Kincaid
Mon-Frl 7:30-5:30
Sat 10:00-3:00
General Books >86-3510
Glen Canyon
Productions
presents
“NORTHWIND”
Wednesday, April 13, 1983
7:30 P.M.
Soreng Theatre
Tickets: $7.50, $6.50, $5.50 ★ Call 687-5000
*
A representative of the University
of San Diego, and the National Center
for Paralegal Training's
LAWYER’S ASSISTANT PROGRAM
will be on campus
Friday, April lb, at
1:30 pm.
to discuss details of the Program and career
opportunities for college graduates in this
growing, new field.
. . . You may qualify for this intensive 12
week, post graduate course, which en
ables you to put your education to work
as a skilled member of the legal team.
Contact the Career
Planning Office at
686-3235
University of Oregon
For Free Brochure, contact:
£ UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO Room 318, Serra Hall
I jiJ j Lawyer’s Assistant Program San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 2934579
The University of San Diego does not discriminate on the
basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin,
ancestry, or handicap in its policies ana programs.