Letter to The Editor
Dear Editor,
I am writing today about the article in Monday’s paper (Vol 106 No. 21) concerning childcare on campus. I am a student, mother and member of the Faculty/Staff. I work full time at the Pat Walker Health Center. This article highlighted the Infant Development Center and the Nursery School as a nod to the UA’s awareness of student parents. May I say (and I speak for many moms and dads) that IDC is outrageously priced and both centers have hours that are completely unrealistic. Two-hundred dollars a week is out of most parents’ budgets, let alone student parents. I am happy to hear that a new childcare facility is being constructed, however I think even more should be done concerning on-campus childcare. One-hundred and forty spots are not nearly enough to accommodate the need of student parents. Also, what about our Faculty/Staff who have children under the age of five years old? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to the university as a whole to make some sort of childcare available on campus for them as well? Think of the jobs it would create and the peace of mind that parents would be given. I for one would be willing to work in such a facility on campus and would definitely enroll my two-year-old son in an on-campus day care even if I didn’t work there.
I have struggled to afford day care, balance work, family and school for my entire career at the university. IDC was a big let down for me when I was looking for infant care. I am a rising junior (English Major) and have had to withdraw from classes more than once while having difficulty balancing school, work and family. I urge the university to support its campus community of parents with bigger efforts.
Respectfully,
Rachelle Cagle
Receptionist
Pat Walker Health Center
