Satellite Seminar a Success!
by Christine Knickerbocker
On February 20th, 1996 NASU & Sigma made history by broadcasting our annual training via satellite. This year rather than having up to six host sites across the country our "regional newsletters" became satellite newsletters. Michigan State graciously hosted (and paid for the telecast via a grant) the seminar which brought together Sigma staff and a live audience broadcasted to over 20 sites. From our counts over 230 people attended the seminar and the feedback from those sites encourages us to plan to do this again for next year!!!!
The results of the satellite seminar survey that Sigma had on their web page are highlighted below. (Thanks to Randy Timmons.) Be assured that the NASU Executive Board and Sigma staff are looking closely at how we can improve this process next year.
- 74% felt the information covered during the EDE/SNA 96-97 section was informative.
- 57% felt the information covered during the Direct Lending 96-97 section was informative.
- 74% felt the information covered during the Product Enhancement section was informative.
- 91% felt the sequence of the presentations was productive.
- 100% felt the technology used for the presentations, satellite uplink and Powerpoint slides, were helpful in conveying the information.
- 96% want to see the Video Conference technique used again in 97-98.
NASU Nomination Time
by Rick Shipman
With Spring struggling to assert itself, it's time for NASU Board nominations. Being part of the Board is a fun and rewarding experience. It provides you with an opportunity to share your time and talents with folks from all around the country. It also affords you the chance to work closely with Sigma staff. You'll find a nomination form inserted with this newsletter. Please use it or any other convenient method to pass along your name or the name of a colleague you feel would be a good addition to the Board. For more details about the responsibilities of Board members, please read Call for NASU Board Candidates in this newsletter.
President's Message
by Faye Scheil
It must be spring or very close to it because I keep seeing NASU members on the list serve taking about CASU80 and how CPS records they do or not have. But I'm wondering if the weather man is mixed up. Yesterday, (Easter Sunday) I saw a women dressed in her "Easter Finery" which included a fur coat and a spring bonnet. It was 24 degrees yesterday morning here in Milwaukee. Hardly a spring temperature!
Since my last report to you, the following tasks have been completed or are continuing towards completion. I will not go into detail on these activities because you will find a separate report elsewhere in this newsletter.
- First, I'd like to personally thank all those who participated in any way with the NASU testing efforts for 1996-97. A very special thanks to Lydia Bruner for coordinating the effect and to Sigma Systems, Inc. for underwriting the majority of the expenses.
- The first (what I hope will become the an annual event) NASU Video Conference was held in February. NASU is very grateful to Michigan State University for providing a grant to cover the broadcasting expenses associated with this event.
- The NASU Board met in late March
at the site of this year's annual conference. A few of the
agendas were:
a) bonding insurance for the Association,
b) possible membership dues increase for next year,
c) funding the video conference for next year and of course,
d) the annual conference program.
- If you have not marked your calendar on July 17-20 for the NASU Annual Conference in Denver at the Adams Mark Hotel, you need to do so. Your President Elect, Val Meyers (MSU) and her committee are working diligently to put together the BEST conference yet!
- It is a busy time of the year for all of us. Hence, I find myself with more then the usual number of things on my "to do" list and so little time to work on them. So, I'll conclude these brief remarks so we can all get back to our "real" work: helping students find the resources they need to pursue their educational goals.
Hope to see all of you in Denver in July.
Call for NASU Board Candidates
by Rick Shipman
This is a call for nominations for the 1996 NASU Executive Board. There are 6 positions for which candidates are sought: 3 Delegates, Secretary, Treasurer, and President-Elect. The Delegate and Treasurer positions are two year commitments, while the Secretary is one year and the President-Elect is 3 years. Each of the Board members is expected to chair, or participate in, one of the NASU committees and will have responsibilities dictated by the specific committee selected. The President-Elect serves as Conference Chair in the first year, as President in the second year, and as coordinator of nominations in the third year as Past-President. The Treasurer is expected to manage the Association's financial account and is authorized to write checks on this account. The Secretary is expected to record the proceedings of the Board meetings, to distribute this record to all participants in a timely manner, and to coordinate changes to the by-laws.
All Executive Board members are expected to be available for approximately 5 meetings each year. The first meeting is held at the close of the annual conference. Typically two of the remaining meetings are held via telephone conference calls and the other two are held at the conference site or other convenient hotels. NASU covers the costs of all of the meetings except for the one associated with the annual conference. The actual number and format for these meetings is dictated by the business before the Board.
If you would like to run for one of these positions yourself or to nominate somebody else, you need to notify me (Rick Shipman). My address, phone number, FAX number, and email address are all included at the end of this newsletter.
The names of people making nominations are kept confidential. The final slate of candidates will be placed on a ballot that will be mailed to the voting representatives at each NASU member institution. The voting results will be announced in the business meeting at the annual conference in Denver.
Please be sure that you have the support of appropriate individuals at your institution if you wish to have your name placed in nomination. Similarly, if you want to nominate another person, you should check with them first to be sure they are able and willing to serve as a member of the Board.
File #4: The Psycho Advisor
Financial Aid Humor
by John Garcia
When my co-workers said "Beware of Al" I was quick with the reply: "Don't tell me anything I already know". Al, for the unwise, is affectionately called the "Psycho Advisor"--and not just by his fellow aid officers. He's run more students through more trouble than the Central Processing Service in the Spring of 96. But Al was getting worse, it seemed, and I knew he was due for a major bout of psychosis at any time. In fact I remember the day it came to a head as clearly as the bells in my tower...or something like that...
"Al," I said. "There's a student here to see you. Name's Jimmy."
He looked at me with blood-shot eyes and a little sneer. "J-J-Jimmy? Sure...I'll see Jimmy."
I didn't like the looks of him that a.m., but a lot of FAO's look the same. I thought "I'll take a chance". My cubicle was right next to Al's, so I could keep an eye on him.
"What can I help you with, Jimmy?" That tone he was using spelled trouble, and I was poised to jump in at any time.
"Well, I just wanted to make sure I understood what you told me yesterday...and the day before...and the day before that..." "Wh-what's your question, Jimmy?"
"I'm just fillin' out my FAFSA, and I don't see any spot to say that I am independent. My parents don't claim me on their tax form, and I buy my own meals, but I can't find where to put that on this thing. Didn't you tell me somethin' about that last time?"
I heard a deep sigh, and I thought I would hear a deep six, but Al remained calm...for the moment.
"Jimmy, you're not independent--"
"I'm not?"
"...No, you're not. You have to meet one of the automatic criteria listed here, in Section D. You don't have a special case either, since, as I recall, you weren't subjected to any ABUSE by your parents or abandonment. {I've got your abuse right here...}"
"Yeah...my parents take pretty good care of me."
"I'm sure they do."
"Hmmm. Well, the other thing I came to take care of is a short term loan. My tires are pretty much bald and I got chosen to drive to Mexico for spring break. Some luck, huh?"
For a second I thought I could hear Al tearing his hair out. "Short term loans are for emergency and educational purposes only. Spring break has nothing to do with your education."
"Oh, okay. So could I increase my loan or somethin'? I can feel that sun already!"
It was getting worse I could tell.
"You are a sophomore, Jimmy. Sophomores can borrow up to $3500. What is this figure on the screen, Jimmy?"
"Did you say 'figure' or 'finger'?"
The atmosphere was murderous. "Finger" seemed more appropriate.
"Figure."
"$3500. Oh...I guess I made a mistake."
"MISTAKE?? " I was already out of my seat. "'E' before 'I' is a mistake, pal. What you did was f---"
"Forget it, Al! Let's send this ignorant young man on his way, and let's send you on a little vacation. When the going gets tough the tough go on vacation, that's what I say."
I figured that at least I kept one student away from the plastic surgeon.
"Y-y-yeah...a vacation...I could go to--Aruba! Yeah! No kid could go on spring break there! And I bet they don't have a university, either."
"Just sun and fun. Let's call for a ticket right now. You could pay for it with the Short Term Loan funds!"
We laughed, but I was only kidding...of course.
Adults aren't meant to understand kids, and financial aid officers aren't meant to understand students--that's just the way of the world. But that doesn't mean we can't do our jobs, and this was just another reject code that had to be cleared by FINANCIAL AID COP.
------ About the Author ------
I was raised on a small farm in Nebraska, up the road a pace from the big university. Oh, wait...that's not me. I have been a Financial Aid Officer at Michigan State University for 1-1/2 years. I love music of any kind. My favorite color is red. And I wear two shoes. I earned my BA from Central Michigan University and my MA from MSU. I love the nightlife--I love to boogie. I have lived in the Lansing, Michigan, area for 6 years. I live alone with my alternate personality Bobby Husqvarna. I like clams--they're mushy. My aunt works at Pepperdine. I've got spurs that jingle-jangle-jingle. I guess that's about it. You can edit this for content if you wish.
[Editor's Note: where would I begin?]
Story and biographic sketch by John Garcia.
1996 NASU Conference
by Val Meyers
The 1996 NASU Conference will be held following NASFAA in Denver, Colorado, at the Adam's Mark Hotel, beginning Wednesday July 17 and ending Saturday July 20, 1996. We believe that we really have some exciting ideas for this year's conference and hope that it will inspire you to attend.
The first and best news is that, for member institutions, the price of the conference is not going to change from last year. The cost for staff from NASU member institutions will still be $165.
A tradition at past conferences has been that the board members donate an item from their school--T-shirt, coffee mug, etc.--for the drawings that are held at the business meeting. While this has been very successful in the past, we would like to give more people an opportunity to participate. We will be having a "T-shirt swap" event on the first day. If you want to join in, bring a T-shirt from your institution to the registration table on Wednesday evening or first thing Thursday morning. Please wrap the shirt and indicate the size on the outer wrapping. (Usually L or XL shirts are most generally "wearable" by anyone.) Those who put in a package get to take one out later.... no fair taking your own!
We are planning to make this conference more casual. With a relaxed and Western theme in the entertainment this year, we encourage you to pack your blue jeans and boots.
As for the actual work of the conference, I am pleased to say that we have commitments for several presentations (though I am still open to hearing about more). We are hoping to repeat 2 of our more popular sessions from last year--the Technical and Functional Roundtable sessions--where folks simply raise problems and questions and get help from their peers and Sigma.
The calendar starts on Wednesday with Sigma's Annual Business Meeting scheduled to take place 1:00 - 3:30PM at the Adam's Mark. The Conference registration opens with a reception that evening from 6PM to 8PM, offering hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and lively conversation with your fellows.
We continue on Thursday with conference sessions during the day and a Sigma-sponsored social event during the evening. Sue Ball from Sigma is working with us to plan a Western barbecue complete with dancing. This looks to be another great event from Sigma and we thank them in advance for their many contributions to our conference.
Friday we will have more exciting conference sessions and the NASU Annual Business Meeting at lunch. In order to entice more of you to attend, we are changing the format and offering some nice prizes, but you must be present to win.
Finally, Saturday morning wraps up the conference with a general session which we hope will be similar to last year's. We will wrap up at 11AM so those who wish to travel home that day can have ample time to do so. For those who want to stay until Sunday, you will have the afternoon and evening to enjoy travel or shopping in the beautiful Denver area.
Look for more conference information on the NASU WWW page soon. Conference registration forms should be in the mail by May 1, so watch for them and sign up soon.
NASU Executive Board
Nomination Form
(The paper newsletter includes a paper nomination form. That wasn't sensible to duplicate here, so I'm including the essential information instead.)
All NASU members are encouraged to nominate themselves or colleagues for Executive Board positions. It is very easy to make a Board nomination. You can either mail or FAX a letter of nomination to me; you can call me on the phone; you can even send me Email. I will talk with all nominees before placing their names on the election ballot, but also ask that you make initial inquiries before nominating them. You may make as many nominations as you wish.
All nominations must include the name of the person you are nominating, the position(s) for which you are nominating them--if there is a preference--and a phone number where they can be reached to verify their interest. You also need to include your name and school.
Please send all nominations to:
Rick Shipman FAX to: 517-432-1155
Office of Financial Aid Voice: 517-353-8485
252 Student Services Building Email to: ofa63@msu.edu
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1113