Why We Do What We Do: Student Services, Idaho Falls

We’ve been asking team members to give us their perspective on why they do what they do in Student Affairs and publishing their stories and insights in our division communications. This time, we reached out to Ches Barnes, University Programs - Idaho Falls campus, asking him and his colleagues to share with us some of the reasons why the IF-based services matter so much to students. Rather than reporting to you what they said, let’s just listen to their words.

The most impactful thing I hear from students is that, without ISU Idaho Falls here, they wouldn't be able to attend college to pursue their goals.

I think that offering ADA testing accommodations here in Idaho Falls is a very important resource to highlight. Being able to complete exams to fit their needs is so vital to the success of the students. I've seen so many students express their gratitude for us offering this to them here at the Idaho Falls campus.

Having someone willing to meet with them in a safe environment during the pandemic made the difference between giving up and staying in school.

Many students with full time jobs and families cannot make the time to drive to Pocatello each day for classes or student services. Having those available in Idaho Falls is how they are able to go to school.

I attended a farewell event for ISU-Idaho Falls Biology Students who were graduating this year. One of them spoke about Blaney Hanvey in the Counseling Office specifically and how the caring service she received there helped her overcome personal challenges and stay in school.

I have referred many students to Disability Services in the past who had some reservations about going because they thought that service was for someone else. Though these students have no obligation to report back to us, many come back and thank us for the referral, because they were able to receive an accommodation.

I've heard countless comments from students about how easy it is to get to know the staff and faculty at ISU-Idaho Falls and how this makes the experience so much more personal.

Many students who attend ISU-Idaho Falls, and then go to other campuses, tell us how much they appreciate the number of free food events put on by the Student Activities Board - Idaho Falls (SAB-IF).

A student came to see me about financial aid and, while in my office, she talked about how stressed she was about one of her classes. She told me how many hours she studied for the last test and even spent two hours with the instructor going over everything a day or two before the test. Despite all the studying, she failed the test. She told me that even the instructor couldn't understand how she failed because she had known the material when they went over it together. I suggested to the student to make an appointment with Disability Services and talk about her apparent test anxiety and see if they (Disability Services) could give her an accommodation. She did, and they did, and now she is less stressed and gets better grades on her tests. She comes to our offices, now, to take her tests.

Do you know students who might need to know just how much support they can have on our Idaho Falls campus? Those services are robust, available to any ISU student, and--for many--close to home.