Essay Prompt

According to NACAS Research, students define success by personal traits such as being committed, working hard, and being ambitious. Most recently, our studies show that students have defined success as “happiness” and “feeling fulfilled.” Further, 2019 data indicates that students rank university mental and physical health services amongst the top three most important factors needed critical to achieving success.

PROMPT: How do auxiliary services impact students’ holistic wellbeing? Please provide specific examples of how auxiliary services can help improve the lives of students on your campus.

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

Food and Housing: Food and housing insecurity continue to be two major problems plaguing institutions across the country. What steps is your university taking to ensure that all students have access to healthy and affordable meals and safe and comfortable living conditions?

Books: As the cost of tuition continues to rise, so too do the cost of textbooks. What steps is your university taking to ensure that textbooks and other academic resources remain accessible and affordable to students regardless of their financial situation?

Safety: All students deserve to feel safe within their campus and community. What investments is your university making to make students feel safe whether they are in class, walking across campus, or in other public spaces?

Mobility: Since many students are unable to have a car on campus, or can’t afford one, what is your university doing to provide adequate and accessible transportation options to students?

Mental and Physical Health: If students’ basic needs are not being met, they are unable to focus on their education, and their mental health suffers as a result. What counseling and health opportunities are your university creating to help address campus-wide issues with mental health?

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Article Submission Details

Prompt: How do auxiliary services impact students’ holistic wellbeing? Please provide specific examples of how auxiliary services can help improve the lives of students on your campus.

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.

Deadline: April 1, 2020

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.

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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 Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter and serves to enhance and add 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!

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