Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
“One-stop” business center a boon to students
For most new students the first few days on campus can be harrowing. In addition to moving in, meeting your roommate and coaxing parents out the door, there's a punch-list of errands that need to be completed:
• Pick up a parking permit for your car.
• Get a student ID.
• Pay any last-minute fees.
• Deposit money on your Palacard.
In the past, crossing those items off the list meant taking a trip to three or more campus locations. No more.
Shortly after checking in early this week, freshmen and parents were directed to Furman's new Student Business Center. Located in the Business Affairs Annex (the trailer behind McAlister Auditorium), the office is a Super Wal-Mart of campus financial services.
No need to run all over campus. Students can pay fines, get their ID card, purchase a parking permit and conduct an assortment of other transactions at the same place.
“Doing these things before meant taking a trip to three or four locations on campus,” says Linda Sarratt, director of Financial Services. “This is a one-stop shop. It provides a coordinated, single-service point for students and families as they enroll and advance though Furman.”
Janie Burton (bursar), Joyce Burgess (parking services), Kathy Everhart (cashier), Gloria Moore (loans and collections) and Sandra Silver (meal plans, Pala-card, ID cards) work in the new center.
A day after a steady stream of rain-soaked parents and students filed into the center on its opening day, Burton reported that the lines ran efficiently. Because freshmen were allowed to pre-register their vehicle and send in a photograph for their student identification, many had their freshly laminated Pala-card and parking sticker mailed to them on campus.
“It's easier to take care of those things over the summer so we don't get a mad rush here,” says Burton.
The center, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., also includes a newly installed BB&T automatic teller machine. Wachovia and Bank of America operate tellers in the University Center, and a Carolina First teller is located in the dining hall.
The Student Business Center concept was introduced last spring by Vice President for Business Affairs Mary Lou Merkt. This summer Financial Services employees reconfigured space in the annex and moved staff and equipment to accommodate the center.
“I think people will pick up on the center right away,” says Burton. “They come over here for a lot of things anyway, so it's just convenient.”