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MUSC on-campus childcare survey due Sept. 1  by Cindy Abole Public Relations Providing convenient, on-site childcare has been an issue long explored and debated within workplace environments by employers and working men and women. At MUSC, the idea is strongly being considered as part of an institutionwide effort to improve the welfare of MUSC's workforce.  Fourth-year COM student and parent John Freedy takes a moment to complete the childcare questionnaire. MUSC Heart Transplant data coordinator Vickie Reyes couldn't be happier about its possibilities.  As a single mother of two, ages 6 and 4, the ease of being able to drop off her younger daughter nearby would be a benefit and great convenience. Just recently, MUSC moved a step closer to explore its employees' childcare needs with the idea of making it a reality among its faculty, students and staff. Endorsed by MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., the plan began with the initiation of a childcare task force committee composed of MUSC staff and employees. Next, the committee created a campuswide childcare survey to assess identified needs from  everyone on campus. “The purpose of the survey is to determine the level of interest and to identify what types of care that are needed (e.g. extended hours, weekends, etc.),” said Rosalie Crouch, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost and committee chair.  The need for childcare can't be more urgent for students. Cathy and David Hurray, parents of two young daughters, support the efforts. The Hurrays spend much of their time on campus—she, a second-year student in the College of Medicine, and he, a second-year pathology resident. “Providing a childcare program at MUSC would be a great service to us,” Hurray said. “By doing this, student parents wouldn't need to worry about their children and can concentrate on their studies.” Crouch, who raised two children while working, is very favorable to on-site childcare and praises the idea.  “My life would certainly have been enhanced in those critical years by being able to have my children in a safe environment where I could see them during the day, if necessary,” she said. The short, one-page survey is composed of questions relating to specific needs for childcare. Results of the survey will be tabulated by MUSC's Institutional Research and Assessment group and shared with the task force committee.  Copies of the survey can still  be obtained in the Library/Administration building's first floor lobby or on the Web at < http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/childcare>.  The deadline to complete the survey is Sept. 1.