By Jake Thomas
Cameron University offers students access to a range of financial, academic, career and wellness opportunities both on campus and throughout the surrounding community.
Francesca Morris is Cameron’s financial and community resource specialist; it is her job to help students navigate financial aid and financial literacy while connecting them with resources based on their individual needs.
Within the Student Enrichment Center, Morris assists students with financial aid questions, special circumstances, dependency overrides and satisfactory academic progress appeals. She also works with students on budgeting, saving, credit, banking and other financial topics.
The Center also offers academic coaching, which can help students develop study skills, test-taking strategies, time-management and prioritization skills. Career Services provides assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviews, internships, job-shadowing opportunities and on-campus employment.
Another recently expanded resource is the Aggie Closet and Cupboard, located through the Student Services office in partnership with the alumni office. The program includes the campus closet, a place where students can receive clothes for their appropriate needs, such as weather, professional or general use. Students needing to access the pantry are available to all currently enrolled Cameron students, regardless of income.
Students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship can also apply for the Care for Students Fund. The grant program provides up to $400 to eligible students dealing with emergencies that could interfere with their ability to remain successful in school.
Examples can include unexpected vehicle repairs or the loss of internet access needed for coursework. Students can receive the grant once per academic year, up to twice during their time at Cameron.
The Student Wellness Center provides in-person counseling on campus. Students also have access to TimelyCare, an online service offering 24/7 mental-health counseling and virtual medical visits. The platform’s “Talk Now” feature allows students to request immediate support from a counselor. TimelyCare is available without requiring health insurance and is confidential.
The Cameron University Library also provides more than traditional library materials. Students can check out calculators, tablets, digital media equipment and other supplies; the library even has their own DVD section. Umbrellas are also available for students caught on campus during bad weather.
Transportation assistance is available through Lawton Area Transit System bus passes, which students can purchase through Student Accounts. A 10-ride pass provides 10 individual rides without an expiration date, while a 31-day pass provides unlimited rides for 31 days. Students without a pass can also show their Cameron ID when boarding to receive a reduced $1 fare instead of the standard $1.50 fare.
Students can find additional savings through the “Paint the Town Black and Gold” initiative, which is a partnership with Cameron and local businesses or organizations. Participating businesses may offer discounts to Cameron students and employees, with current offers listed on the Cameron website under “Student Services.”
Faith-based organizations in the area also provide opportunities for students to receive free meals and connect with other students. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry serves lunch Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Campus Ministry Center offers dinner Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Morris said students do not have to belong to a particular faith to attend.
For students looking for assistance outside Cameron University, Morris recommends United Way of Southwest Oklahoma. Students can call 211 to be connected with community resources across the organization’s 10-county service area. The service can help students locate resources when their needs extend beyond what is available through the university.
For students unsure where to begin, Morris said the university’s financial and community resource services can help identify which resources may best fit their situation; all that’s needed is for the student to reach out when they need it most. For any concerns or questions about student resources, contact the Student Enrichment Center at sec@cameron.edu.