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Surviving MSU as a student and a parent by Lauren Talley
When physiology/linguistics double major Melissa Alsobrooks stepped onto Michigan State University’s campus in the fall of 2001, her school year began like any other incoming freshman's. In November, however, Melissa received news that would drastically change her college experience. At 18, Melissa learned that she was pregnant. She now has a 4-year-old son whose name is Chase. Melissa decided to finish her first semester, but took off the second semester to have Chase. The next fall, she returned to MSU to restart her academic career -- this time, with baby in tow. “I don’t remember being in school without [Chase],” she said. After having the baby, Melissa lived with her son's father and his family until she was able to move into Spartan Village, MSU’s family housing community. Eventually, she was able to afford a nicer apartment for herself and her son. her son and herself.her and Chase to live. Melissa said that she feels MSU did little to help her and her new baby. “It’s really hard to have a kid when you’re freshman,” said Alsobrooks, “It’s hard to meet people and it’s also hard in class because your peers don’t understand why you can’t meet at 8 p.m. to work on a class project.” Today, Melissa serves as the co-chair of Student Parents on a Mission (SPOM). Founded in 1994 by then student-parent LaRonda Brown-Chastang, SPOM operates as a network for student-parents at MSU. The registered student organization holds informational meetings and family activities for its members. The group also works to earn money to assist student parents on campus. Last year, SPOM worked to gain a childcare grant that would provide $40,000 to aid student parents. The SpartanKids Childcare grant has since increased to $200,000 and provides about $1,000 to each student parent who asks for financial assistance. SPOM hopes to increase the grant, but Melissa said it was a constant struggle with the administration. “As soon as I was elected co-chair, I worked to earn more money for the organization, but [the administration] has heard the same thing for years and sometimes they’re a little deaf to it,” she said. “They keep telling SPOM that they don’t have any money, but they do. It’s frustrating.” Melissa's typical day begins at 6:30 a.m. so that she can get Chase to school by 8:15 a.m. His schooling gives Melissa a chance to take her own day classes before his day ends at 3 p.m.. If her classes run past 3 p.m., Melissa has someone who can pick Chase up and take him to day-care. In the evening, she spends time with her son and also uses the time to finish her schoolwork. She works midnights as a resident technician where she aids mentally challenged elderly. At those times, Melissa takes Chase to Just Like Home, a 24/7 daycare in East Lansing that is partially funded by a federal grant through the SpartanKids Childcare grant program. “I’m used to very little sleep. At first it was hard, but it gives me the opportunity to spend time with him, even if that means giving up sleep,” she said. Although Melissa's day differs from most Michigan State students, she is not alone. Based on Student Financial Aid information, SPOM estimates that there are anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 student parents on campus. However, because there is no question on job or school applications pertaining to children, SPOM and other student-parent organizations do not know the exact number. “It’s really unfortunate that we can’t find all the student parents because if we had the numbers to show the administration, we could tell them how much money is needed,” she said. Melissa will graduate this December with a double major in physiology and linguistics. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school. “Eventually I’d like to go to medical school, but I want to wait until Chase is older, so I’m not taking anything from him.” For more information about Student Parents on a Mission, visit the SPOM Web site. |
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