University students will not be confused any longer about the difference between the Bursar's and Financial Aid offices. Soon, the two entities will merge into one body called Student Financial Services.
"Our primary mission is to provide service to the students and I really think the students will benefit from this," Director of Financial Aid Yvonne Hubbard said.
The merger will eliminate the frustration many students feel as a result of being transferred between the two offices when searching for financial information. It will also make financial services more efficient by reducing the duplication of services offered in both offices.
Hubbard said she and former Bursar Stephen A. Kimata have discussed the idea of a merger for years. The processes and services offered by the two are "so closely integrated" that combining them makes sense from an efficiency standpoint, she said.
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Hubbard also attributed much credit to the Student Enrollment Services Process Owners Group, a committee whose function is to examine student services and determine what aspects can be improved upon.
After evaluating the financial service sector, SESPOG recommended the Bursar's and Financial Aid offices be combined into one.
The SESPOG proposal states the merger would improve the efficiency and convenience of providing financial services to students and increase student satisfaction.
Second-year College student Mitchell Seipt said he agrees convenience and efficiency are important to students.
"Anything that makes it easier for the students is a good improvement," Seipt said.
"There is enough bureaucracy and red tape to go around, so putting two offices into one seems better for everyone," he said.
Hubbard said it is important to explore the use of technological resources to improve financial service to students. One goal is to create a Web site that will allow students to access their accounts, bills and financial aid status online.
She also mentioned the possibility of establishing a satellite office near Central Grounds to make financial services more accessible to students during the day. As of now, there is no concrete plan to move both offices to a common location because of building and space limitations, but the offices will share the common telephone number by the end of the month.
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