Faculty Union at Mott Community College creates $25,000 student technology fund

The Mott Community College Education Association (MCCEA) board of directors approved the allocation of $25,000 to establish the MCC Faculty Union Student Internet Connectivity Fund. The fund will be used to help eligible students pay for internet service. The MCCEA wanted to ensure that students from underserved populations at Mott Community College could continue their education through periods of mandated virtual learning as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the faculty union came together this summer due to concern about students being potentially left behind as pandemic protocols forced colleges into online learning. Many students come from backgrounds that mean they have limited resources and can not always afford internet in the home. In a release published on MCC's website, MCC president Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea praised the swift action of the MCCEA, "The establishment of this fund is a testament to the dedication of our faculty members toward our students. Their commitment to our students' success is unparalleled."

Members of the faculty union were eager to find a way to quickly meet the immediate needs of MCC students. MCCEA President, Dr. Larry Juchartz said, "I've never seen the union board so enthusiastic in creating and supporting an initiative to help MCC students get the tools they need to be successful in online learning at Mott." To be eligible for the assistance, students must be actively enrolled with a GPA of at least 2.0. The fund will be available through June 30, 2021. Students can apply through Lenore Croudy Family Life Center, a campus organization that assists students with a variety of resources from food and clothing assistance to healthcare assistance and student volunteer opportunities.