This Faculty Initiative Provides Students With Emergency Funds
Two years ago when Elizabeth Ramsay heard a presentation by the American Federation of Teachers about the importance of faculty-led emergency funds to help students, an idea was sparked.
Ramsay, who has taught world languages at Wolfson Campus for 29 years, brainstormed ideas to bring a similar program to Miami Dade College.
Last February, she found an answer. Ramsay helped secure a $5,000 grant that gave birth to the Faculty and Students Together Fund.
Operated by the United Faculty of MDC, FAST Fund is a college-wide initiative that provides students with up to $250 for emergencies like past-due utility bills, car repairs and textbooks.
The program aims to keep students focused on their academics.
“This was something that our students needed,” said Ramsay, who also has served as the president of the UFMDC since 2016. “If you can give just a little bit of help at the right moment it can make all the difference.”
Single Stop Director Janet Mapp and Sarah Garman, a humanities professor at North Campus who helped start the first food pantry at her campus a decade ago, teamed with Ramsay to bring the project to fruition.
Garman wrote the grant, which was provided by Believe in Students—a non-profit that helps college students meet basic living expenses. Single Stop served as a college-wide platform and student screening tool to help FAST Fund’s outreach.
“I’m excited to be part of the project,” Mapp said. “This is a way to continue providing much-needed resources.”
The program is funded by faculty donations. Recent contributions have ranged from $10 to $250.
Last September, retired Medical Campus ophthalmology professor Joe Simmons provided the initiative with its biggest contribution. He donated $3,000, an amount that was matched by Believe in Students.
So far the program has raised more than $10,000.
Students who need assistance can apply to the FAST Fund through Single Stop, which provides an application to the program after an initial screening process. Faculty may also refer students.
The form requires applicants to provide their name, major, GPA, student identification number and submit a paragraph explaining their emergency.
All emergency claims need to be supported by documentation demonstrating a necessity. Examples include copies of past-due bills or a disconnection notice by the Florida Power & Light Company.
If a student’s application is accepted, the program offers a one-time $250 donation to pay for the emergency. Students can not apply for funds more than once.
The funds, which are delivered in two to five business days, are sent directly to the entity requiring the payment. Since last February, the program has provided $5,805 in total to 42 students.
More than half of the requests were to pay for college textbooks. The program works in concert with the MDC Bookstores to provide vouchers for books.
“We do care,” Garman said. “We’re not just here for your academic life”
To make a donation to the FAST Fund, visit https://givebutter.com/miamidade.
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