The SpringHillian Volume 108, Issue 2
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Seniors Discuss End of Year Celebrations Katie Hendler | Reporter
The Student Government Association held an open dialogue event where seniors living on campus were able to participate in a discussion with the Vice President of Student Affairs Kevin Abel. They discussed the student backlash that has been occurring as Public Safety cracks down on parties held at the Fairway Apartments. The event was held at the Barter Student Center on February 3, and dealt with a variety of topics in regards to what both sides wanted the end of the year to look like as graduation celebrations and traditions begin. “The main goal was to try to get on the same page with Public Safety, Residence Life, the Center of Student Involvement and the students over how we want to see the end of the year play out. The types of things we want to see, what we don’t want to see and to address the frustrations that happened at the end of last year”, said SGA president, Dylan Mire.
SGA president Dylan Mire discusses the end of the school year at an open meeting for seniors. | Photo: Katie Hendler Senior, SarahBeth Hyde, experienced some of those frustrations during the 2018 Couch Burning Party. This party has traditionally been carried out by seniors and involves setting fire to personally owned couches right before seniors move out. Public Safety has recently cracked down on this party
due to the many hazards and safety concerns that come with alcohol consumption and fire. “To me, the apartments feel a lot like home,” Hyde said. “Last year I did not feel that homie environment, especially when police are knocking on your door, and putting your best friends in
handcuffs. Working towards a solution for that is one of my top priorities, and to make sure that everyone has the safest and best experience.” Many different stories and observations were shared by seniors about their time living at the Fairways, and solutions were drafted
to be further discussed and put into action by the Student Government Association. “We talked about doing things like to have food outside the apartments, having public safety out there but not in an overwhelming or aggressive way and possibly having some sort of entertainment there so students have something to do,” said Mire. “I really wanted to get other students’ perspectives and see what they wanted to see, so I could take that perspective and marry it with the perspective of the school, and hopefully create a really fun and great environment for the end of the year to celebrate our four years on the hill.” SGA plans to host more open discussion events that encourage dialogue between students and staff, so together everyone can work together to build a campus that is both safe and fun for everyone.
FAFSA Priority Deadline Approaching Amelia Hoffeld | Reporter
The March 1 priority deadline for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is quickly approaching. The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Britney Finley gave more insight, tips on scholarship opportunities, and explanation behind the complication of paperwork. According to the Office of Financial Aid, 98 percent of SHC students receive some form of financial aid. With only a certain amount of federal and state financial aid available for students, Spring Hill College’s financial aid is typically based on submissions. This March 1 deadline gives priority to students’ applications. In
addition to FAFSA federal grants and loans, financial aid varies from scholarships to student employment. Finley notes that a tip to stay on top of your finances is to always keep yourself informed. Found under the Finance tab on BadgerWeb, students have access to looking for outside scholarship opportunities. Finley said, “We keep an up-to-date report on outside scholarships that our students here have received and we keep that updated to let you know the deadlines or qualifications for any of those scholarships.” In addition, Finley explained that a common mis-
conception from students of qualifying to be independent is age. Excluding special circumstances, Finley said, “The only way the government qualifies students as independent is that if they are 24 years of age, married, dependent with a child, etc. But typically, most of our students are dependent and they have to use their parent’s income information.” For those students who may be wondering the difference between a loan or federal grant from FAFSA, federal grants do not have to be repaid. A student must demonstrate financial need to receive a grant in most circumstances. A student’s
Student Financial Services alerts students of the upcoming FAFSA deadline. | Photo: Amelia Hoffeld FAFSA application determines his or her grant eligibility. Federal student loans are the “most affordable loans available to students with the lowest interest rates and deferred payments until after graduation,” according to Spring Hill College’s Fi-
nancial Aid page. To learn more about FAFSA or financial aid support, stop by the SHC Office of Financial Aid, email financialaid@shc.edu, call (251) 380-3460, or visit https:// www.shc.edu/admissions/ tuition-and-aid/.