Introduction: I am a junior in public health at Loyola University, and while school and assignments are very challenging, the hardest aspect of college is getting sick. I suffer from chronic infections due to a weakened immune system, and I must miss class constantly to recover and to prevent my peers from getting ill. Once I get sick, I find it hard to feel as if I have the time to “get better,” and a large portion of this is not having a doctor's note excusing me from class or even explaining why I am sick. Most teachers require some proof of illness to be excused, but this can be hard to come by. The wellness center, while affordable, does not provide any advocacy for students while sick, either mentally or physically. Which is why I propose to Stacey P. Jaksa and Will Rodriguez, the Associate Dean of Students for Student Rights and Vice President & Dean of Students, to enact the distribution of “doctor's notes” from the Loyola University Wellness Center.

The Loyola Wellness Center does not distribute doctor's notes, and I (like many other students) cannot afford a doctor's or urgent care visit to obtain one, as they can tend to be expensive, especially if someone is not from Illinois or insured. The college experience is rigorous with constant assignments, studying, and meetings. There are many pressures on the college student, including good performance, social standing with professors, and economic strain, that most students endure. However, getting sick impedes most students' daily lives. According to CaroMont Health, the best way to recover while sick is to rest and stay home. Many students do not get the opportunity to rest with their busy lives in and outside of school. This pressure is only magnified when a student is having difficulty proving when they are ill, so professional support and advocacy from the wellness center could be very beneficial.  If there is no doctor's note, some professors do not allow students to make up exams, which can lead to higher stress and make a person feel worse. Furthermore, if a person is stressed about missing class, this may lead them to attend classes when ill.  If a person attends class when they are sick, it can delay their body's ability to fight off a virus, diminish productivity in the classroom, and lengthen a contagious period. An elongated contagious period can lead to peers also getting ill, which can easily be avoided. On doctors' notes, there needs to be an explanation why a student is staying home from their classes and how to keep themselves and others safe, especially when a student has a fever or cannot participate in classes. This is why I strongly suggest that Loyola Wellness Clinic provide doctors' notes to support their students and ensure our success.