If Lauren Stein saw a man she knew while going to University Health Services women's health department, she'd rather tell him she had the flu than admit she awaited a gynecological appointment.

Because many other University women agree with Stein, a new center aimed at preventive medical care for women opened in January in Shulze Hall.

"A majority of the feedback has been people saying, 'This is nice, this is cute,' " said Jill Buchanan, a certified registered nurse practitioner at the center. "The atmosphere is the thing that changed."

Many students agree that the new center's atmosphere allows for more privacy and takes away from some women's anxiety.

"It was a lot more private because there weren't a lot of people sitting in the waiting room," said a student who requested that her name be withheld. "It made me feel a lot more comfortable."

The woman said she saw the same doctor at both places but preferred the new center's atmosphere.

Other women agree that they would rather visit the new center after their experiences at Ritenour Health Center.

"It's a good idea," said Stein (freshman-mechanical engineering). "At Ritenour you kind of look around and make sure you don't know anyone."

Although Heidi Shafer (freshman-mechanical engineering) said she used the back entrance at Ritenour, she said the nurses and doctors were helpful and comforting.

The new center's routine is not different --it's just a less intimidating atmosphere, Buchanan said. There are also 20 additional hours of patient appointments for initial or annual exams, she added.

Students can schedule appointments for gynecological exams and contraceptive services. Pregnancy testing and sexually transmitted disease screening are still done at Ritenour.

Although the demand is creating a backup of appointments, the new center has helped alleviate the pressure of meeting patients' needs.

Previously, the wait at the women's health department at Ritenour was eight weeks, but it has been cut to about three weeks with the new center.

Despite the demand for appointments, some students don't think enough University women have yearly gynecological exams.

Like Stein, they may have felt uncomfortable in an atmosphere like Ritenour, but some said there's not enough emphasis on an exam's importance.

"It's not stressed enough how important it is," said Jennifer Norrman (freshman-civil engineering). "You don't learn to make sure you go to the gynecologist."

Another student, who is 25 years old, said she didn't visit a gynecologist when she was younger because she didn't think it was necessary.

"If I was 18, 19 or 20, I probably wouldn't go if someone didn't tell me I had to," said Khristine Hulse (junior-exercise and sport science).