Implications of fund sources for student affairs

This week I would like to pause and reflect on the implications of fund sources for student affairs. This topic may appear insignificant to some, but it is important to both student affairs and students. Student affairs has the obligation to educate students of the various funds that make up their budgets. Some students tend to think that student affairs operate only on the mandatory student fees that they pay. Some do request an account of what their money is being used for, not knowing that the budget is more diverse. Some students tend to request their money in full because they feel that their needs are not being met. Sometimes, this issue could turn into a law suit if not properly handled. The reality is that students are not aware of the various services that are available to them or they don’t know the right procedures on how to access them. I was in charge of the Francophone group (on campus worship group) for a year before I found out in a conversation with Mr. Yeagley, that there is a sum of $300.00 available for the group toward expenses. We could have used that money the first year had we known. At the time, they were in the process of establishing policies and procedures. I hope that by now a system is in place. Clearly, student affairs need to find a better system to communicate with students on their fund sources, the availability of services and their entitlements