As I searched the University website for information related to refund checks, I came across a PDF document that was very disturbing.

It stated that students with direct deposit would not receive their refunds until February 1, 2008 and students without direct deposit would receive their funds on February 8, 2008.

After checking with other students from UNC System schools, such as UNC Greensboro, N.C. Central, Appalachian State and Winston-Salem State, I was informed that either they received their funds prior to returning for the spring semester, would be receiving their funds the first day of class or no later than one week from the last day for drop add.

So the question came to mind, why must AGGIES wait so long?

After speaking with several students on campus, it came to my attention that this refund issue was having a major impact on students’ basic living needs as well as their education at our esteemed university. Less than a month ago, I decided to join the Facebook community. Students at A&T seem to live on and by Facebook, so on January 11, 2008 I chose to create a group called “The NC A&T Refund Check Uprising”. The purpose of this group was to give students an opportunity to voice their concerns and to come together as a unified body so that we could express our feelings to the administration of the University. After the group was created, I added Marcus Bass, Vice President of External Affairs for SGA as my Facebook friend and the movement began. What started off as a two person group on Friday, has turned into 844 (and still growing) AGGIE Facebook students crying out for help and most of all CHANGE!

People ask me; why are we all fired up about refund checks? How do refund checks really affect the operation of the University and the student body? Well, after reading some of the wall postings of the group, this issue has a direct impact on the issues that plague our university. There are three major issues that I’ve compiled that are directly affected by the late distribution of funds to students in need.

Issue 1: AcademicsThe purpose of being in college is to gain further knowledge that will prepare us for our future. Currently, there are students who are attending classes, but don’t have the appropriate books they need. Some professors have books that can be purchased in the University Bookstore (at a very high markup price), while others have supplementary materials that need to be purchased either online or at other book stores.

Book vouchers would be a great concept in theory, if the bookstore carried ALL of the necessary books that students needed and had enough books in stock.

Since both situations don’t exist right now, how are students expected to obtain books from other vendors, when they don’t have the necessary funds to pay for them? If students don’t receive their refunds until Feb. 1, then you are asking them to attend a class (if the professor lets them in), complete assignments, and prepare for examinations for 4 weeks without the basic necessity, a book.

Issue 2: RecruitmentWord of mouth is the best or worst form of advertisement. People who enjoy a product or service will gladly recommend it to friends and family.

At the same time, negative experiences can also result in people refusing to refer others or warning others about their bad experiences. Several students at NC A&T don’t have a very high opinion of the service that they have received.

When potential students or parents inquire about the University, what type of feedback do you think they are getting?

Issue 3: RetentionThe term retention is defined as the act of retaining something (http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=retention). In the business world, we are taught that a happy customer will return. Customer service and satisfaction are key factors that bring repeat business to restaurants and retail stores.

In the case of A&T, the customers are the students and the business is the University. What I have learned from creating this group is that there are a lot of unhappy customers that are receiving sub-par customer service. Everyone will not be pleased all the time, but if you are getting the same complaint over and over, its time for a CHANGE to be made.

So, the purpose of this Facebook group is not only about getting refund checks in a timely fashion, but to also form a group of agents advocating for change.

We are calling for 1,100 students to come together as one collective voice and speak loud enough that the administration will hear our concerns. 1,100 students represent roughly 1/10th of the entire student body that are enrolled at A&T. If we reach this goal of 1,100, we will call ourselves “The AGGIE 10th”, agents for change, reformation, and one unified voice. I am only one voice by myself, but when united with other AGGIES, my voice becomes amplified and people will listen. If you have not joined yet, go to Facebook and search for the group “The NC A&T Refund Check Uprising” and join up. Let your voice be heard.

• D. Antoine LIlly