Letter to the Editor: Fair treatment for non-traditional students
Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter about my experience at the bookstore as a first year student. First of all, I’m a non‑traditional student, which is someone who has been out of high school for at least five years.
With much excitement about purchasing my books, I wasn’t sure where to go, so I asked at the first floor bookstore. I approached the first worker I saw and asked, where to go to purchase books.
“Do you have your daughter’s schedule?” he asked.
I just laughed. I was surprised because in this day and age, with as many people returning to school, it is not that uncommon for campuses to see older students.
I must say he did apologize out of embarrassment and then directed me to the basement, where my second experience began.
I was there with my daughter who was just as excited as her mom to purchase new books.
In the middle of the bookstore was a counter with three girls standing behind it. When I asked them where to find a certain book, they simply gave me a look as if I was interrupting something very important and pointed toward the general area.
I would think that when you work in a bookstore, you would be used to these types of questions. Considering the amount of money that is spent on books in a school year, you would think that customer service should be emphasized.
Also, with there being non‑traditional students as well as incoming freshman, everyone is not as eager to ask for help. So, let’s stop the texting when you are working and do your best to help out the students when they need it the most.
Sincerely,
Gail Hershock, non-traditional student
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=10406
Posted by heraldstaff
on Oct 19 2009. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
http://HeraldStaff
Loading ...
I agree. More attention should be brought to non-traditional students. I started college later in life, I’m only 26, but seriously if you’re older than 22 or 23 people avoid or treat you like the plague. Sometimes when I join student groups and people hear I’m 26 they instantly act immediatly shocked and weirded out. I’m proud to be in college but in the closed network of college students non traditional students are always looked at as ‘different.’
I completely agree. I’m 21, but a mother and am looked at like I have 2 heads when i speak about my son. As well, WMU is refusing currently to supply me with a place to breastfeed and pump.-
As a student of WMU who came here straight out of high school, I can honestly say that this treatment is normal for the employees of the bookstore. It is not just non-traditional students. If you can’t find something, you are treated as if you are stupid. I was there when books were still sold in the “WMU Bookstore,” before “Textbook Alley.” I agree that non-traditional students are treated unfairly sometimes, but the bookstore employees treat many people that way.
To Kim, I was involved in a couple organizations that embrace older students. We have had students join who were in their 30′s, and they were treated just as fairly as the rest. Keep looking, and you will find organizations filled with good people who won’t judge you because you’re 26.
To Jordan, e-mail President Dunn. He is very good about replying to messages, and he actually responds (instead of an assistant). He will do his best to try to find you help with this issue. Good luck!