Students and their families had the opportunity to apply for or renew their passports on Oct. 20 during Passport Day in the Edgerton Atrium. The event brought postal services to campus to make the application process more convenient for the university community.
Shot of United States Passport.
| AP News, Jenny Kane |
Arthur Gerkins, one of the event’s organizers, said Sacred Heart has hosted Passport Day since 2002 after he learned about the idea at a conference.
“We were one of the first universities in the nation to host Passport Day,” said Gerkins.
The event is open to students, faculty, staff, spouses, children and Notre Dame Prep students. Gerkins said the idea came from recognizing how many students could benefit from easier access to passport services, particularly those planning to study abroad.
During Passport Day, postal service staff take passport photos, process applications and mail the paperwork to the U.S. Department of State. Sacred Heart provides the location, allowing applicants to complete the process without traveling off campus.
Maria Gountas, a lettershop technician who helps coordinate the event, said bringing passport services to campus makes the process easier for students who might otherwise have trouble finding a convenient location.
“We have the post office come to us, and this way, they can just bring everything that they want,” said Gountas. “It’s in one shot.”
Despite the convenience, applicants must arrive prepared with the proper documentation and payment. Gerkins said one common mistake is bringing a copy of a birth certificate instead of the original document required for a first-time passport application.
“The key is to have the original document,” said Gerkins. “A lot of the trouble with getting your passport is not having your original birth certificate.”
Payment can also create difficulties. Applicants must bring cash or checks because credit cards are not accepted. Gerkins explained that applicants need two separate payments, one for the Department of State and another for the post office.
For senior Julia Petrellese, obtaining her first passport involved some challenges before attending Passport Day. She learned about the event through an email sent a few weeks beforehand.
“The first time I tried to fill it out, I was rushing, and I messed up two forms,” said Petrellese.
She decided to complete the process through the on-campus event.
The event is especially useful for first-year students, who cannot have cars on campus and may have difficulty traveling to a post office.
“Passport Day gives students an opportunity to handle the application process without adding another off-campus trip to their schedules,” said Gerkins.
Gountas said passports can open opportunities for international travel and new experiences.
“It’s a good way of seeing the world and making all your dreams come true,” said Gountas.
