Last Friday was move-in day and I assisted a student looking for the financial aid office in Ball Hall. I made sure that he did in fact need financial aid and not the bursar before leading him out of the building and around the fenced off construction area to point out the building in which financial aid is housed: Allen Hall. You can’t see Allen from the south end of Ball Hall, but I pointed out the library and told him to go past the library and across the street. I told him that Allen Hall was sandwiched between Jephson Science Center, the Allen House, and Strong Hall. I wasn’t equipped to lead him all the way over there… I’d left my coat back in the office. But, his friend who was accompanying him seemed to know what I was talking about, so I sent them on their way. However, a little part of me worried that he would wind up needing the bursar after all and I’d feel like a real schmuck for sending him on a wild goose chase.
It’s not that the Keuka College campus is large. I’ve been to other college campuses where it becomes necessary to drive between buildings. But, I did feel bad that the young man had to go so far out of his way. I didn’t even know from where he came… maybe he’d already walked down to Ball from Davis. In any event, it will be wonderful when financial aid and admissions join the business office, alumni and family relations, development, and communications in Ball Hall. Then, not having a coat won’t be concern when directing a student to the office in which he or she needs to go.
-Tanya
