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Colorado State News
Jim Swanson Falls Victim to April Fools Prank
My office along with the help of Joy Jeffers, Westwood College of Technology in Denver, got me good on April Fool's Day.
It started with my boss e-mailing me the week before April 1st informing me that he received a call from an upset parent. He indicated she should give me a call on Monday (April 1st). My staff set up a phone appointment for Ms. Ward, mother of Noah Ward to call me at 1pm. They set up a fake computer record with the help of the admission office as well as a dummy paper file folder with all the pertinent information including tax returns and admission credentials (except for the FAFSA). Ms Ward works in the "Service Industry" in Henderson, Nevada (where prostitution is legalized).
Trying to be a good financial aid person I reviewed the file and computer record prior to the call in preparation of our conversation and didn't see anything unusual other than we were missing the ISIR.
I was somewhat at a disadvantage coming off little sleep the night before. I had gotten up early on Easter Sunday to attend church services and then took my son, Dain, to the bus terminal Sunday night to literally catch the midnight bus to Augustana College in Sioux Falls SD. When I talked to Ms. Ward on the phone (AKA Joy Jeffers with a strong English accent), she was very upset as to why her son Noah Ward (get it No Award, I certainly didn't) had not received notification of his financial aid eligibility. When I tried to tell Ms. Ward that his file was incomplete because we did not have the results of this Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Ms. Ward exclaimed, "Free! What do you mean Free? This whole process has cost me money since I have had to take time from my job and clients"! Every time I tried to explain and help her understand the process she would interrupt me and get on my case. It went down hill from there.
About ten minutes later, Ms. Ward's strong English accent disappeared and Joy exclaimed "April Fools!" I sat there in disbelief as my staff all came into my office giving me a piece of cake while laughing their heads off. I continued to be in a state of shock for the rest of the day.
Kansas State News
KASFAA Members Visit State Capitol
KASFAA members visited the state capitol on April 3 during the recent Kansas legislative session to meet with state senators and representatives. The visit, in conjunction with the annual KASFAA Spring Conference, was scheduled to encourage KASFAA members to meet congressional members and staff from the KASFAA members' home districts.
Although both the house and the senate were in session during the visit, some members were still able to meet with their state senators or representatives. In addition, some members were able to meet with their own school's legislative team at the state capitol. Although no state aid programs appear to be at risk for reduced funding in the upcoming fiscal year, KASFAA members were able to distribute letters of introduction informing legislators about KASFAA and its mission.
South Dakota State News
SDASFAA Celebrates 30 Years
by Cody McMichael
SDASFAA members gathered at their annual conference in Mitchell, SD to celebrate 30 years of SDASFAA. The highlight of the conference was the Celebration Banquet on Thursday evening. The evening was filled with opportunities to reminisce about the past 30 years of SDASFAA.
The evening began with a well-grounded tradition in SDASFAA - socializing. This social felt more like a family reunion than professional networking. The social time was followed by a banquet meal that was serenaded by the soothing sounds of harpist Clarence Larson from Mitchell.
The 30 Year Celebration Banquet included a special recognition of SDASFAA's past presidents. Past presidents in attendance included Don Scott, Gene Linton, Carolyn Halgerson, Grant Uecker, Jay Larsen, Clarence Shoemaker, Deb Henriksen, Richard Coplan, Sharon Kienow, Rosie Jamison, Brenda Schmitt, Ken Kocer, and Cheryl Bullinger.
Grant Uecker provided a humorous view of SDASFAA's history as well as a summary of United States history. Past presidents were reminded of important political events that occurred during their term as president. Grant implied a direct correlation between SDASFAA and politics.
A review of financial aid fashion occurred as life size photographs from past events flashed to the beat of Wesleyan Brass from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. Candid shots of Don Bueher, John Gritts, and David Vikander reminded everyone that financial aid professionals often have their own style.
As the eventful night continued, everyone gathered for a "30 Years" commemorative photo. Like most family photo's, everyone gathered around the "family" leaders. Current SDAFAA members framed past-residents for a snapshot of SDASFAA 2002.
The annual awards presentation brought the evening to a close. Rosie Jamison, Dakota State University, won the highest honor in SDASFAA, the Douglas Steckler Award. Peggy Kuck, Education Assistance Corporation, was awarded the Outstanding Service Award. The committee of the year for 2001 was the Education Committee. Cody McMichael, Black Hills State University, was awarded the Presidents Award for Service from Cheryl Bullinger, 2001 President.
The final activity of the evening was to thank all of SDASFAA associate members for their support. A special award for outstanding service from an associate member was presented to Education Assistant Corporation. Education Assistance Corporation's president, Clark Wold, accepted a Kathy Sigle print entitled "Tatanka". SDASFAA President, Cody McMichael, read a poem that compared EAC's service to SDASFAA with the bison's value to Native Americans.
Utah State News
UASFAA has made some changes this year. We have moved our operating year from January to January. We held our elections and would like to announce our officers.
- Terry Bell, Dixie State College, President
- Kent Larson, University of Utah, President Elect
- Doug Horne, LDS Business College, Past President
- Reshita Naylor, Zions First National Bank, Associate Vice President
- Mike McKendrick, US Bank, Associate Vice Present Elect
- Sharon Robinette, Utah State University, Secretary/Treasurer
We are looking forward to working together.
This year the UASFAA organization joined together with the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority and mailed a post card to all Utah high school seniors and their parents giving them the information that they need to apply for a pin number and then to complete the FAFSA on the web. We believe that it will certainly help our students and that it will help our institutions as well. As we move forward using the electronic pin for other financial aid applications, it will be a benefit to those students who have their pin number already.
Our Spring Conference will be held in Cedar City, Utah, May 15-17. We have a great agenda and look forward to getting together again. You can find more details at www.uasfaa.org.
Wyoming State News
Wyoming high school and college art departments participate in a design contest. The contest is to design a new look for WyASFAA brochures and printed materials. The winning design will receive $350, 2nd place $150 and third place $75.
WSLC's third annual training was held in the Cheyenne Office April 9 and 10. College personnel from Wyoming's colleges exchanged critical information on Colleagu/Datatel R.17, Consortium Agreements, Legislative Updates, Return of Title IV Funds, Electronic Issues and National Guard Tuition Assistance.
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