Pup’s birthday bash promotes fundraiser

Augustana’s Augie Doggie celebrated his 1st birthday on Feb. 7 with students and staff in the lower Morrison Commons. The event fundraised for the Student Emergency Fund, which provides support to students during unavoidable hardships.

While at Ace’s birthday party, Chief of Staff Pamela Miller, Keeley Meier, the communications and social media strategist, and Jill Wilson, the director of public relations and communications, supplied cake and puppy chow for guests, as well as a birthday card for students, faculty and staff to sign for Ace.

An English cream golden retriever, Ace was first introduced to Augustana students in mid-August and has since made his rounds around campus, frequently stopping at Viking Grounds for a pup cup and pets from students studying there. 

At other times, he’s at the University Welcome Center, helping admissions staff. When he’s not busy, he likes to entertain himself in the Presidential Suite of the Administration Building, running about and playing with some of his favorite toys.

“He has been the best addition to not only students, faculty and staff, but he has been a wonderful addition to our home as well,” Miller said.

Miller and her husband take care of Ace and their other dog, Shadow. 

Olivia Brost, a sophomore journalism and government double major, said adopting Ace as the new Augie Doggie was a good call by the administration.

“I love Ace. I think it makes sense for Ace to be the Augie Doggie because he is so young,” Brost said. “Making the decision to have an actual dog to represent Augie was such a smart move, and I’m surprised it wasn’t done sooner.”

The celebration for Ace brought attention to the year-round Student Emergency Fund fundraiser. The Dean of Students Office allocates $2,500-5,000 to the fund every semester.

The fund seems to not be well known, Miller said, and partnering with Ace seemed like a good way to get the word out. 

Elam and Miller agreed that Ace and the Emergency Fund are comforting for students.

“I was not aware of the student emergency fund until it [was] vocalized for Ace’s 1st birthday,” Brost said. “I think supporting students in times of emergency is so important and the effort Augie is making to help students is truly so comforting.”

Through the Dean of Students Office, students in the case of an emergency, such as purchasing a plane ticket to get home to family quickly, can apply to receive up to $500 from the fund, though the amount of money depends on the case. 

Elam said although the Dean of Students Office would like students to be able to receive more than $500 if their case permits it, the amount of money in the fund, as it stands, is less than they’d like.

“That’s the reason we ask for donations. Those funds do run out pretty quickly. If your emergency happens to occur at the end of the semester too, [our funds may run out],” Elam said.

Jim Bies, the dean of students for over three decades, retired in 2019. During his time at Augustana, Elam said, he began the Student Emergency Fund, allocating $5,000 from the Dean of Students Office budget to the fund every year. Since then, the fund has been ongoing, accepting applications and donations year-round.

Elam said the office receives approximately 10 to 15 applications annually. She said the applications usually have to do with a lack of money for purchasing books, paying off parking tickets, or some other non-emergency related expense. In these cases, applications are often declined. 

However, Elam said five to seven, the majority of, applications are accepted, especially those relating to health, food access, child-care, safety needs, post-disaster repairs and emergency travel. The full list of covered expenses is available on the Student Emergency Fund page on Augustana’s website. 

After a student submits a form, the Dean of Students Office is notified. Once approved within a day or two, the business and financial aid offices process the application, and within a week, funds appear on a student’s account. 

In cases when a week is not a fast enough turnaround, Elam said the Dean of Students Office has worked out ways to expedite the process more quickly.

Elam said she feels for students who are in tough situations. She said giving students financial support can alleviate stress and get them what they need quickly. 

“To think the world stops when you’re at school is just not true,” Elam said.