VCU welcomes the class of 2014

By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times

Keys? Check. New TV? Check. Kettle Corn? Why not.

Over the weekend, approximately 3,650 freshman flooded Monroe Park moving into on-campus housing with the help of families and a small army of VCU Residential Life and Housing greeters.

In coordination with the Richmond Police, traffic on both Main and Franklin Street ground to a halt as officers shut down street parking and reserved lanes for freshman move-in only. Families received color-coded parking passes indicating which loading zones and parking decks were reserved for them. Parking officials allotted each family 30 minutes to unload in front of dorms before asking them to move to long-term parking decks. Several tow trucks loomed nearby as a reminder for families to keep moving.

About 60 yellow-shirted greeters waited outside residence halls. They provided water bottles, helpful directions and extra sets of arms, unpacking car after car until the final family cleared the loading area.

After signing into receive room and mailbox keys, new students entered their dorms and met their Resident Assistant.

Not everything about Move-In day was stressful. In Monroe Park there were many festivities to help students and their families relax after unpacking; such as chair massages, a mechanical bull ride and a magician. About 9,000 bottles of water were offered courtesy of the VCU Alumni Association, along with kettle corn and “I Love VCU” buttons. Volunteers from fraternities and sororities wore green shirts and helped guide students and family members to recycling bins.

The planning process took nine months to prepare, according to Jane Firer, associate director of administrative operations in university housing. “It’s a mixture of stress and anticipation,” said Firer. “It’s gratifying to see the process work out successfully.”

In all, about 5,000 students will live in on-campus housing this year, filling the dorms to capacity.

Original article

Student financial assistance funds to double in upcoming year

By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times

For the 2010-2011 academic year, VCU’s ongoing funds for student financial assistance will receive a $4.8 million increase due to tuition increases, nearly doubling the existing funds.

Approximately $45.4 million is available for financial aid, more than 21 percent from the last school year.

More than $20.5 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by state funds. The money goes toward providing scholarships and fellowships through the Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program and the College Scholarship Assistance Program. The amount of money is the same as last year.

More than $24.8 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by federal funds. The money goes towards federal work-study, and grants and scholarships, such as Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART) and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. The amount of money has almost doubled since last year.

The Pell Grant Program is expected to increase, allowing an individual to receive a maximum Pell Grant award of $5,550, a $200 increase. An increase of 29 percent of the VCU student body qualify for the Pell Grant.

There is a projected increase in the ACG and SMART grants, due to the increase in students who qualify for the Pell Grant and the program expansion. The criteria for the ACG and SMART grants expanded to allow part-time students and eligible non-citizens to receive funding.

VCU will also fund an additional $43 million in need-based aids, scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers and graduate student wages within other university programs – totaling $88.4 million for student financial assistance.

Original article