For the past year, Eastern Washington University students have remained “Eagle Strong” as they’ve managed the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while committing to stay in school and earn a degree. To celebrate these students, and help return a part of the college experience that was lost, the university will allow recent and upcoming grads to continue using some student services after they graduate.
The idea came from the Winter 2021 Student Satisfaction Survey. Madison Flint commented, “I wish that students who have been enrolled at EWU for the past year could continue to use the university services we have paid for, for at least a year after we graduate.”
University administrators not only heard Flint’s suggestion, they accepted it. EWU students enrolled in spring 2020, fall 2020, winter 2021, or spring 2021—and not enrolled during terms in the 2021-2022 academic year—will be provided continued student access to the University Recreation Center, athletic events and musical and theatrical performances through the end of the spring 2022 term. In addition, the university will also extend their access and borrowing privileges at university libraries and their ability to receive student pricing for equipment rentals through EPIC for the same period of time.
Flint is a senior scheduled to graduate with a BA in English this spring. She was pleased to learn that university officials actually read her comment and were implementing her suggestion. She plans to take advantage of the services after she graduates.
“I’m especially excited about the proposed access to the library for post-graduates, since I have some topics I would like to continue studying and the EWU databases allow access to a lot of research material,” Flint adds. “I have unfortunately not been able to visit the URC since I started attending EWU in January 2020, but once I get my vaccine I would like to try out the climbing wall and the other equipment there.”
For more information on who qualifies for the extended services and how to access the benefits, please refer to the FAQ below.
How do I know if I qualify?
EWU students who were enrolled during the spring 2020, fall 2020, winter 2021 and/or spring 2021 terms AND are not enrolled in the fall 2021, winter 2022 or spring 2022 terms are eligible to receive the extended access. If a student is enrolled for only part of the academic year, then they will be eligible to have extended access for the remainder of the 2021-2022 academic year.
For example, if a student is enrolled in fall 2021, they will pay the normal S&A fees for the fall term and have access to EWU student services. If the student does not enroll in winter 2022, then they would receive access through the extended access plan for that term. Should the student enroll in spring 2022, then they would be required to pay the normal S&A fees for access; if they don’t, then they would be eligible for extended access.
How do I use this benefit?
We are still working out the details on this part of the extended access plan and hope to be able to share additional details in the near future. Our goal is to have students access services through their existing EWU student ID card.
I lost my card / don’t have my student ID number anymore, now what?
We are still working out the details on this part of the extended access plan and will have more details to share in the near future.
What are the benefits?
At this point in time, eligible students will receive the following benefits:
- Access to the University Recreation Center (URC) and Sports & Recreation Center (SRC)
- Student access to university athletic events
- Student access to university music and theatrical performances
- Student access and borrowing privileges at the university libraries
- Student pricing for EPIC equipment rentals
How long are the benefits good for?
The extended access plan will conclude at the end of the spring 2022 quarter (June 17, 2022).
I live far away but still paid the fee – how is this fair?
We realize that not every eligible student will be able to take advantage of the extended access program; however, if you are a student from outside the Cheney-Spokane region and you are back visiting friends, attending an athletics event, joining us for homecoming, watching a theater performance or returning to watch friends at commencement in 2022, we encourage you to come back to campus and take advantage of these services when you can.
Who can I call to talk about this?
Please feel free to contact us with questions you may have about the extended access plan via telephone (509.359.7924) or via email (vpsa@ewu.edu).
