The Business and Financial Aid offices have made a successful attempt to reduce the lines on campus. In spring 2005, financial aid checks were mailed to recipients, rather than picked up.

Joan Wegner, the director of Financial Aid, proposed the idea last fall, with the support of former BC President Sandra Serrano, and Vice President of Student Services Bill Cordero.

“The whole idea is to get our students back in the classrooms,” Wegner said. Apparently, many students were missing class to wait in line for their check. With the large number of students that receive Pell Grants, approximately 4,500 this semester, attendance in classes was often poor on check distribution day. Also, it took too much manpower from the Business Office to get every check handed out.

“I was happy to get my check in the mail,” said Kristina Taylor, a BC student.

“It saved a lot of time because I didn’t have to spend two hours in line.”

For the spring semester of 2005, the first check date was Jan. 25.

Of 10 students interviewed, nine received their checks before the scheduled date. The one student who did not get her check said that it was because she did not have all of the proper paperwork filed by deadline.

The Financial Aid Office stresses the importance of having all of your information updated and correct in the system, especially your address.

“If for some reason you did not or do not receive your check within 10 business days of the date given to you, then you would need to go down to Business Services and make sure that your address is correct in the system,” Wegner said.

“I think it is a lot easier on everyone to have the checks mailed,” said Rebakah Bopp, a BC student. “The line was impossible, and the system just wasn’t good.”

Many students said that the best thing about having the checks mailed is they can avoid the long line, but for some it also provides a sense of privacy.

“Being in line made me feel like I was not like everyone else because people would look and stare,” said Melody Carrillo, also a BC student.

Other students, however, did not seem to care about the privacy issue.

“I didn’t care about people looking at me or talking because I’m here to get an education, and we are all adults now,” said Destin Cook.

Still, most agree that having the checks mailed is a good idea.

Students claim to have waited in line anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours last semester to pick up their checks.

“Now, I just wish that they would do the books the same way,” Taylor said.