The Student Health Services fee could be raised to $66 per semester if the Campus Fee Advisory Committee and San Diego State University President Stephen Weber approve a $11 increase, said Associated Students Vice President of Finance Cynthia Torres.

Currently, the fee is $55 each semester.

Torres said the fee increase is being considered for Fall 1997 because Student Health Services is running on its reserves, and it might have a deficit in the 1997-98 fiscal year.

Kevin Patrick, a physician at Student Health Services, spoke at the committee meeting Dec. 6 and said that the fee increase would not enhance services, but is necessary because Student Health Services is running on an insufficient student/staff ratio.

Patrick also said 60 percent of students use Student Health Services, and that in a poll of students in Summer 1996, 46 percent of students consider Student Health Services their primary caregiver.

The fee increase may be voted upon at the next committee meeting this Friday at 2 p.m.

The vote was postponed from last Friday’s meeting because the committee felt like they didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation on the increase, Torres said.

The committee will make recommendations to the President. Weber has the final say on the decision.

Torres said that if the proposal is put on the ballot, the committee will educate students so they can make an informed decision on the matter.

“If it goes on the ballot, (students) aren’t going to want a health fee increase,” Torres said. “If they’re knowledgeable about what benefits they’re going to be getting, more students may be encouraged to use the facilities.”

The measure could be put on the ballot for the Spring 1997 A.S. election if the A.S. Executive Committee recommends it to A.S. Council, and then the Council recommends it to the A.S. Elections Committee.

Torres said informational leaflets would also be available to students before the election and at the polls. Also, A.S. representatives to college councils will take the leaflets to their colleges and get feedback on the increase.

The committee will try to work with the College of Health and Human Services to educate students about the fee increase, Torres said.