The University Council on Women and the LSU Child Care Center are joining forces this year to seek a solution to the center’s affordability and long waiting list.
UCW is looking at what peer institutions do to handle the capacity of children who need care while their parents are in class or at work, said Maribel Dietz, associate history professor and UCW faculty representative.
“It was brought to our attention that we should look at needs being met,” Dietz said.
The council’s plans are being put into action this semester with the creation of a focus group for students with child care needs, she said.
Michelle DeMeulenaere, University Child Care Center director, said the center, which opened in 2004, is currently at capacity and has no plans for expansion.
The problem isn’t unique to the University. Daycares in the surrounding areas are experiencing the same issues.
“Most places will have waiting lists,” Dietz said.
Students, faculty and staff have priority for enrolling their children in the center, and 98 percent of the children there have parents who are affiliated with the University.
Dietz said the increase in children needing care is partly due to demographic changes. The University now has more single parents and parents going to school instead of families that used to have one parent stay home with the children.
The current tuition for the center is $760 a month. However, students receive a $110 discount, and University faculty and staff receive a $40 discount, DeMeulenaere said. Student fees don’t fund the center in any way.
DeMeulenaere said the Child Care Assistance state program can provide financial aid for full-time students who are eligible.
UCW will write a report on the research and estimates it will be finished in the spring semester, Dietz said.
The council also plans to release an online survey after midterms to focus on issues due to recent changes of budget cuts, among other topics.
 
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Contact Juliann Allen at [email protected]