I manage to attend a private college in NW Iowa. Being a single mother i have had some concerns about school practices. But i have no idea what my rights are. Things like mandatory attendance to cultural and academic events outside of class to graduate, lack of commuter parking/privelages, or family housing. I attend this school because it is the leader in it's field and is the only school in the US to be totally wireless and give it's students laptops to use and buy while enrolled. I know that this is a private school, but why can't i get the same treatment as the other, better off, traditionall students. I know that i should have to work for what i get, but i would rather get a loan to pay for student housing, than rely on the state to support me for four years. I feel so hopeless when i have to rely on someone else. Where can i turn for some information and support at a private school?
Just so you know, we do have a lot of mamas on this board who are on welfare, and there is nothing wrong with using the resources that the state has in order to help make it. Its why you pay taxes.
Second, I would go talk to the dean of students about your concerns. Let her/him know that the campus is NOT parent/kid friendly and tell him exactly what's wrong with it. I think that Rebex will be able to offer some more advice, she's been where you are.
no school is required to offer family housing.
what school are you going to? i went to augustana in the quad cities. and i believe augie does offer family housing.
if your school requires students to live oncampus, but fails to provide housing for families, then they MUST provide you accomidations.
if you have family housing, but its not provided to undergrads, or single women (unmarried) queer families, or whatnot, then they prolly are being discriminatory....
so it depends on your situation.
i was able to change my schools financial aid policies because they included the costs of dorms, but not family housing & parents were barred from dorms...so theres all sorts of ways to make it work out for you...
start with the dean, or housing director, or financial aid people until you find someone who can explain to you the policy, your options. if they sound like its unfairly discriminatory on moms, you can always think about changing the policy....