Essay Prompt

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of our daily lives. Student wellness and mental health have been a top concern. Colleges and universities around the world have adjusted operations in response to supply chain issues and student needs.

PROMPT: How have auxiliary services departments on your campus adapted their operations to support you? Please provide specific examples of challenges that have been overcome by your campus auxiliary services departments adjusting to mitigate these issues.

Here are some examples that you can research at your institution:

• New ways of communicating to keep students in the know and feeling connected
• Creative responses to supply chain issues
  • Sourcing food or products locally
• Mental health support
• Increased student outreach
• Support for low-income students (food, housing, textbooks, etc.)
• Investing in better technology

Essay Submission Details

Prompt: How have auxiliary services departments on your campus adapted their operations to support you? Please provide specific examples of challenges that have been overcome by your campus auxiliary services departments adjusting to mitigate these issues

Length: 1,000 to 1,500 words

Photos: Entry has to include at least one photo of the subject matter and one photo of the author.

Application Deadline: April 22

Applicants Notified of Status: Mid-May

Prize: The first, second, and third-place prizes are $1,000, $600, and $400 respectively. All winning essays will be published in College Services magazine and will be promoted across NACAS media platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NACAS?

NACAS is the largest auxiliary services support organization serving higher education. Our membership includes colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.

NACAS is committed to enriching the campus experience by offering extensive opportunities for members to share ideas, develop business solutions, enhance programs and revenues, and develop meaningful professional relationships.

Founded in 1969 as the National Association of College Auxiliary Services, NACAS is the one-stop connection for information, insight, and opportunity. Learn more

What is College Services?

College Services is the quarterly magazine serving the NACAS membership. It is published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and winter and enhances and adds synergy to the connections between our members. Learn more

What are auxiliary services?

Also known as “ancillary” or “non-academic campus support services,” auxiliary services can be defined as a  business service or program that supports the mission of a higher education institution (examples listed below).

If you have any questions about what constitutes auxiliary services on your campus, check your institution’s directory, contact your provost office or e-mail info@nacas.org, and we will put you in touch with one of the NACAS representatives on your campus.

Examples of auxiliary services:

Bookstore, Card Systems, Child Care, Communications, Concessions, Conferences, e-Commerce, Facility Management, Food Service, Housing, Laundry, Mail Services Parking, Physical Plant, Printing Services, Purchasing, Retail, Recreation Services, Security, Student Union, Technology, Transportation, Vending, and many others!