by Jessica Wright
The clock strikes one o’clock and the afternoon hunger sets in. A student starts digging through her backpack trying to find a few quarters and dollars to buy a lunch. No luck, but at least her tuition is covered and she will make it to class everyday - hungry or not. In a few weeks, she will be able to buy her groceries, a school lunch and whatever else she may need, but until then she has to wait it out.
The clock strikes one o’clock and the afternoon hunger sets in. A student starts digging through her backpack trying to find a few quarters and dollars to buy a lunch. No luck, but at least her tuition is covered and she will make it to class everyday - hungry or not. In a few weeks, she will be able to buy her groceries, a school lunch and whatever else she may need, but until then she has to wait it out.
Several students criticized, but understood the need for attendance verification before disbursements of financial aid. However, as financial aid applies to other necessities other than tuition, they had concerns about not having funds for food while on campus. To remedy the students’ dilemmas, the college is developing a meal plan for students that will be charged to their financial aid and is usable while waiting on the disbursement.
Vice President of Student Services Anthony Underwood, Chief Procurement Officer Sam Nagraj, AVI representative Debra Savage and WVU Parkersburg chef Jeff Madox worked together to come up with a concept for meal plans. This would allow students to purchase semester long meal plans by charging them to their financial aid. Students are able to do this with textbooks, gas cards and other supplies as well.
“Details are still being worked out - while moving in a positive direction - and we hope to have it ready for the spring 2012 semester.” Underwood said.
These plans will be available to all students, faculty and staff. If a student opts to purchase a meal plan, they will actually receive an overall discount compared to actually buying each food item individually.
Variety won’t be an issue for students on the meal plan, either. They will still be able to purchase food items from any section of the cafeteria.
Flex dollars are another aspect of the meal plan that can really benefit the students. Flex money is money loaded onto the card and the student can use it how he or she wishes. For example, a lunch on the meal plan might entail: a sandwich of some sort, a side item and a drink, but if the meal plan holder wants dessert or coffee he or she can purchase it with their pre-loaded flex dollars. Flex dollars make up for the extras on a meal, or when an entire meal isn’t necessary.
While the problems are still being worked out, the college is diligently trying to assist the students with their financial aid qualms. More information will be available in later issues of The Chronicle.
Vice President of Student Services Anthony Underwood, Chief Procurement Officer Sam Nagraj, AVI representative Debra Savage and WVU Parkersburg chef Jeff Madox worked together to come up with a concept for meal plans. This would allow students to purchase semester long meal plans by charging them to their financial aid. Students are able to do this with textbooks, gas cards and other supplies as well.
“Details are still being worked out - while moving in a positive direction - and we hope to have it ready for the spring 2012 semester.” Underwood said.
These plans will be available to all students, faculty and staff. If a student opts to purchase a meal plan, they will actually receive an overall discount compared to actually buying each food item individually.
Variety won’t be an issue for students on the meal plan, either. They will still be able to purchase food items from any section of the cafeteria.
Flex dollars are another aspect of the meal plan that can really benefit the students. Flex money is money loaded onto the card and the student can use it how he or she wishes. For example, a lunch on the meal plan might entail: a sandwich of some sort, a side item and a drink, but if the meal plan holder wants dessert or coffee he or she can purchase it with their pre-loaded flex dollars. Flex dollars make up for the extras on a meal, or when an entire meal isn’t necessary.
While the problems are still being worked out, the college is diligently trying to assist the students with their financial aid qualms. More information will be available in later issues of The Chronicle.