Tensions were high and patience was low as students demanded answers to student employment and financial aid problems at the first general town hall meeting held in the administration building on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Sponsored by the SGA (student government association) and administration, the purpose of the event was to answer questions from the SGA and the audience so students could gain a better understanding of why problems still exist in the student employment and financial aid offices.
The panel of administrative staff included Don Byars, associate provost for enrollment management, Tracie Matthews, financial aid director, Radhika Ayyar, assistant director of human resources, and Albert Gee, director of human resources.
The event was moderated by Tyra Metoyer, director of university relations. Metoyer read the questions posed by SGA and invited answers from panelists. Students attending the event were able to get their questions answered.
Discussions began with student employment concerns. As a whole, students who attended the event were concerned with job placement procedures and why funds are not available for jobs. Ayyar said, “Our [human resources] job is to gainfully help you find a job through personal preferences indicated.”
Matthews said that there is a limit to the funds that are available for work-study and in order to get the job that is desired “we have to deal with students on a first come first serve basis.”
Students raised questions on many issues such as slow processing, inadequate staff and counselors, busy phone lines, unanswered e-mails, phone calls not returned, not being awarded, classes dropped, rude staff, lost documents, student drop rumors and loan amounts being cut without students’ permission.
Matthews answered every student’s question and explained how the financial aid system at the university operates and the various reasons why processing may take longer for many students. She said “60 to 70 percent of the student body gets selected for verification. Once selected for verification the process can be delayed three to four weeks if paperwork is not turned in in a timely manner.” Matthews added that the university has no control over the drop date because it is a state mandated deadline.
The financial aid director, who has been in her position at the university for only a year, admitted that issues need to be dealt with and there is a need for additional staff. Matthew told the audience that one change that has been made and will continue is using The Panther to inform students of what is going on in the financial aid office.
“Changes will continue to be implemented to make the financial aid office run smoother as time goes on. I have been in contact with The Panther to have stories published to keep students informed,” Matthews said. “Goals are in place to be attained,” she added.