The College of Saint Rose offers various resources to provide students with the basic necessities to lead a comfortable and successful life both on and off campus.
Two of these resources include the Annie Sheeley Emergency Meal Swipe Program, introduced in 2019, and the Dennis McDonald Student Emergency Fund, introduced in 2012. With the creation of these two services, both financial assistance and access to food are available for any students in need.
“The Dennis McDonald Student Emergency Fund is meant to help students who are facing challenges financially and need assistance with paying their off-campus rent, utility bills, medical bills, automobile-related expenses, books, et cetera,” said Jen Richardson, associate vice president for student development. Named after the former Vice President of Student Affairs Dennis McDonald, the fund can offer students up to $500 in emergency expense coverage.
The Annie Sheeley Emergency Meal Swipe Program works similarly. Richardson described the program as “an opportunity for students who are not on a campus meal plan and who are having difficulty buying food for themselves to eat on campus.” The service is named after the late Annie Sheeley, a former employee of campus dining services, and provides students with meal swipes added to their student ID card to be used on campus at no cost to them.
In order for students to enroll in the programs they must submit a formal application via the school website. The application is then reviewed by the Student Development office for consideration, and Jen Richardson coordinates with the student to provide them with the resources upon their acceptance.
Nearly every student application for these services has been accepted by the college. “The only time I have had to deny an application was if the student was looking for funds to cover their balance with the College,” said Richardson. In such a case, Richardson will then provide students assistance with connecting them to the Financial Aid office. She also recommends that students in need of further assistance in securing proper food utilize the Golden Knights Shop food pantry, located in the lower level of the Events and Athletics Center in room 20.
Each year, the number of students applying for these programs increases, and Richardson says that the college has hopes of continuing to find new ways to help students gain access to all that they need. “I hope to continue to help support students by removing barriers for them to be successful at the College. If there are ways we can help take some of that pressure off, we want to do that,” she said.
Application forms for each of these resources can be found on the school website. To apply for the Dennis McDonald Student Emergency Fund, visit https://www.strose.edu/student-development/supportive-resources/ican/student-emergency-fund/. To submit an application for the Annie Sheeley Emergency Meal Swipe Program, go to https://www.strose.edu/student-development/supportive-resources/ican/student-emergency-meal-voucher/ . For further information students can also contact Jen Richardson in Student Development at richardj@mail.strose.edu.
