Administration cares more about bureaucracy than community service

After reading the "Doors close on DMD concert" article from Feb. 27, I am nothing short of alarmed.

First, I see a Christian university allowing administrative politics to stand in the way of an event that does not deserve such a cold shoulder. Can somebody tell me what is so important to deny these hard-working volunteers their benefit concert? Is this because they aren't an official ASSP club? So, because they are not SPU-sponsored, they have to try in vain to jump through more hoops, regardless of if it's a "good cause."

Well, rules are rules, but can somebody also explain why their application for official ASSP club status was never even reviewed? Is it because ASSP will not endorse fundraising?

Well, then perhaps somebody can tell me what genius decided that it's OK for a Christian university to shut down a benefit concert for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and turn down a prominent Christian band, Pillar, who committed to play. Tell me what brain had the foresight to crush the amazing organization of Conrad Reynoldson, front man of the volunteer group, and who happens to have DMD.

This group of volunteers already has raised $12,000 and proven they know how to organize--they sound like responsible people to me. Did I mention Reynoldson has DMD?

Well, could you tell me who thinks it is responsible to deny a victim of a disease a benefit concert for his own disease? Without some amazing explanation, isn't that scandal? I've seen no amazing explanation. In reading that article, I see poor communication and lack of interest on the part of the university.

How a Christian organization, especially a university, cannot seem to show any candor in making such a noble cause happen is beyond me. The volunteers already booked the band and organized the additional security, and the band provides its own equipment and technicians.

I read that there are events April 11 and 12 that are standing in the way of Royal Brougham being a concert venue for a night, yet I see no such events on the Campus Master Calendar.

Well, I am not an SPU student and am not familiar with their practices, but I highly doubt that whatever events are standing in the way could not be rescheduled or moved to another location. Unless you're saying one night for a benefit concert is too big of a burden. I just expect more out of a Christian university. I'm seeing beaurocratic nonsense and injustice, and nobody with the backbone to own up to it.

Tyler David Getts, Community member

University does fine job dispersing aid

I am writing in response to the Staff Editorial "Aid needs to match tuition" in the Feb. 27 Falcon. As director of student financial services I am well aware of the challenges students and families face in paying for higher education. Often staff members in Student Financial Services (SFS) speak with students and families about financial challenges, expenses that are completely unexpected, job losses, or just strategies for financing. I feel blessed to be a part of a University that cares for its students and takes these situations seriously, as well as the student who does not have at the moment a unique situation occurring in their life.

So I was disappointed to read that it is believed by the staff of The Falcon that the University does not recognize through available financial aid programs the increasing cost year to year by stating "What many don't realize is that, unless their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or GPA changes significantly in their time at SPU, this is the same package they will be stuck with throughout their time at SPU."

As a financial aid professional, one of the many things I appreciate about SPU is the fairness of its understanding and implementation of financial aid. My past experience of working at another Seattle private university tells me that there are other schools that "guarantee" gift aid (all grants and scholarships) for four years, but as costs continue to increase no adjustment in gift aid is made regardless of a student's need. This is an easy message to deliver, "guaranteed gift aid," but it does have built-in inequities; students whose EFC decreases or stays the same are needier, but will receive the same gift aid, and students whose EFC increases have less need, yet will receive the same gift aid. At SPU we review EFC and financial need yearly and award students accordingly.

As a matter of fact data shows us what occurs on our campus for students who completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)--the application that calculates the EFC, and were awarded by fall 10th day.

In the periods of 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007 students who had the same EFC year to year the aggregate amount of gift aid increased over six percent; students who had their EFC decrease the aggregate amount of gift aid increased almost 22 percent; and students who had their EFC increase the aggregate amount of gift aid decreased about nine percent while their average family contribution increased about 50 percent.

Additionally the changes in aggregate gift aid do not reflect all the aid programs and services students may receive, many of which are blind to EFC, such as the hundreds of scholarships awarded from endowed and gift funds, the Independent Colleges of Washington scholarships, the number of well-earned awards students have received from civic organizations and churches, or the services SFS provides to assist in managing college costs like payment plans and student employment opportunities.

It is my direct experience that SPU's Administration works hard and thinks carefully on how to administer the amount of limited dollars available to students, while at the same time maintaining and improving the premier education you experience. I hope these numbers give you encouragement that SPU equitably supports students.

Finally please know that SFS is a team of caring, gracious people who are truly interested in the success and well-being of students. Each understands that there are individual, personal stories behind each FAFSA and EFC, that challenges and difficulties arise for all of us, and that each student and family deserves undivided and helpful attention.

Jordan Grant, Director of Student Financial Services