This article originally appeared in The Vantage student newspaper, published Oct. 24, 2024.
Written by Ana Zeikidze, staff writer
The Jet Resource Hub in room 123 of McNeill Hall is a Newman University resource center that provides basic products to students for free. It was created in 2017 by a group of Newman students and has become a resource for students, especially those without access to transportation or facing financial difficulties.
Leela Barika, a Student Government Association senator on the Jet Resource Hub committee, describes it as a valuable resource for students. SGA is in charge of the hub.
“All students are welcome to use the resources in the Jet Resource Hub,” she said, adding that it is open to any student, regardless of financial need. The hub provides drinks, snacks and medicine as well as items like soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and toilet paper.
Barika said that SGA is also responsible for restocking the hub.
“It usually gets restocked when we notice that we are getting low on resources, which is typically every two to three months,” she said.
The Student Government Association uses money from its yearly allocation from student fees to purchase supplies for the hub. Donations from the Newman community also play a big role, and donation boxes around campus are regularly filled with items, especially clothing, said Grace Long, SGA’s secretary.
Food items are the ones that are taken most often, she said.
“We have a lot of instant macaroni, chips, Gatorade …,” she said. “Those seem to be most popular among students.’’
There when students need it
The Jet Resource Hub is free and anonymous, so no student has to feel uncomfortable using it.
“Nobody has to know that you’re going in there and taking stuff,” Long said.
If students are unable to find what they need in the hub, they can suggest items by writing them on the whiteboard in the Jet Resource Hub or they can email or talk to anyone on the hub’s committee, Long said.
Donations of nonperishable food, snacks and toiletries are always welcome, and students and staff may drop them off at the hub.
The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Those who want to make monetary donations should contact SGA at [email protected].
Explore student life at Newman University
Experience a one-of-a-kind, tight-knit community education in the heart of the country in Wichita, Kansas.
