According to the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union’s website, the Credit Union “makes members its main priority.” While the declaration to provide excellent service to students and alumni is an admirable goal, so far this year GUASFCU has fallen far short.
ATM outages have been a problem since before the school year started, even though the Credit Union hired an ATM technician in August, ostensibly to deal with future problems (“Students unable to access money through ATM,” Aug. 29, 2002). Most recently, both of GUASFCU’s ATMs (in Leavey and New South) have been out of service since Friday, forcing students once again to pay surcharges for using other ATMs. Additionally, the Credit Union did not open after the Winter Break until 12:00 p.m. on the first day of classes, preventing members from depositing checks badly needed to buy books.
According to sources at the Credit Union, GUASFCU management this past semester has been apathetic and directionless, contributing to the poor service.
GUASFCU CEO Chris Petrilli (MSB ‘03), “doesn’t agree at all” with the claim that management has been apathetic. He cited prompt customer service in response to members’ questions and the near-completion of new services such as real-time online banking as major accomplishments this past semester. Regarding the ATM outages, Petrilli said that he has continually contacted the ATM technician to fix the problems and that a new ATM will replace the machine in Leavey. Next year, when the old Leavey ATM has been repaired, it will be placed in the new Southwest Quadrangle.
While we recognize that the Credit Union is an all-volunteer organization that provides a valuable service to students, especially because of its free checking policy, (in comparison, Riggs Bank charges $10 a month, unless a non-student-friendly $1,500 balance is maintained), GUASFCU still needs to be more efficient solving problems that effect students on a daily basis. Regardless of who is to blame for ATM outages, GUASFCU deserves some criticism for failing to take a more active stance in informing members of ATM malfunctioning through e-mails. They also should have waived the 75-cent surcharge that cardholders incur for withdrawaling at non-GUASFCU ATMs. Furthermore, the Credit Union could have extended its hours to better deal with the issue.
Though apathy frequently troubles student clubs, if it is occurring at GUASFCU it is especially dangerous, as the Credit Union handles most students’ money. Within the next month, a new Executive Board will take over at GUASFCU. We hope it proves to be better at meeting the Credit Union’s stated goal.
