Extending financial support to qualifying low-income students should go beyond just tuition. I believe one way to make Baruch more accessible is to provide students with low incomes with a student OMNY card or Fair Fares MetroCard to alleviate the burden of MTA fares. As a commuter school, I believe students would strongly benefit from this resource. Student MetroCards make attending networking events and other academic endeavors outside of class more accessible as well. One thing I think about is how the majority of Baruch students went to NYC high schools where they received student MetroCards, but if it makes sense to have them during high school, why shouldn’t the same students be able to access them as CUNY students too?
It doesn’t end at financial support—you arrive at CUNY, now what? I believe every student should have a dedicated academic advisor that they know is there to support them, not just honors students. I think it is unfair for a disproportionate support system to be in place; what makes a non-honors student any less deserving of the same resources? CUNY has a huge first-generation population, and providing extra tailored support to those students should be a priority. As first-generation students, we have to figure out everything on our own—from knowing which classes to register for, to choosing the right major, to learning how to search for internships. Having a professional advisor to ask questions and get career advice from would save so many students from wasting time taking classes that they didn’t actually need, save them from stressful situations, and provide students with a reliable support system.
Commuter lounges and café areas are crucial at a school like Baruch. We do not have many places to sit and eat lunch during breaks, to rest, and to socialize. Investing in renovating the vacant café area into a vibrant café again would create a welcoming spot for students to rest between classes and also socialize with one another. I remember my freshman year when the café was open to students and running. I was in the midst of taking my online class when I noticed two girls sitting at tables next to each other, randomly sparking up conversation. Little did I know, this conversation was the beginning of a new friendship. I noticed one of them moved to work at the same table, and later, they both left together to hang out. This friendship would not have been possible without the on-campus café being there. Another area I believe students would greatly benefit from renovating, are the little study areas on each floor. The couches, chairs, and desks in those corners are not well-maintained, are chipping, and the space itself isn’t currently being utilized to its fullest potential. It is a great spot for students to work during gaps between classes; however, it could be remodeled to be more accommodating, welcoming, and clean. In return, this would create a more productive environment for students. It is so important for spaces like this to exist at a commuter school like Baruch to truly provide a more fulfilling college experience.