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MISSOULA – The University Faculty Association at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ has launched a new fund to aid Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ struggling with emergency expenses.

The faculty union created the fund to help Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ struggling with expenses that could force them to not complete spring semester or drop out of college entirely.

“Professors often hear about Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ struggling with a lost job or broken-down car or eviction, and having heard so many of these stories from our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, we knew we needed to act,” UFA President Megan Stark said.

Stark said the faculty association applied for and received a grant from the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Believe in Students to create the UFA Faculty and Students Together (FAST) Fund.

The FAST Fund creates a source of money that Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who are facing immediate financial needs can easily apply to and quickly receive money. The UFA, Montana Federation of Public Employees and UM President’s Office all have matched the initial $5,000 grant.

The fund will help Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ cover costs like food, rent, medical expenses and utilities, as well as expenses that facilitate remote instruction.

“There are so many issues that affect how a student can perform in school that have nothing to do with academics or working hard,” said Professor Daisy Rooks, who helped establish the FAST Fund. “Our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are struggling with very real-world issues, and this fund aims to help those Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ so they can succeed at UM.”

The UFA website provides more information for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, an application for the funds, and information for current and former faculty members to contribute to this fund. Please visit  for more information.

The broader community is invited to contribute to a separate Emergency Student Support Fund at .

Applications for the FAST Fund will be reviewed as they are received by a panel of retired faculty members, and UFA members plan to disperse the funds quickly to Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ in need.

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Contact: Daisy Rooks, University Faculty Association representative, daisy.rooks@mso.umt.edu.