Getting to know
Kids today
Whether it’s the pool hall in quaint River City, or ubiquitous social media of the 21st century, older generations always seem to have some complaint about “kids today.” Young people are subject to many influences their elders fail to grasp. In an attempt to bridge that gap, for the last 16 years, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., has released the Beloit College Mindset List, focusing on current, traditional-aged, college freshman. This year’s list begins with the fact that, as kindergarteners, this generation was exposed to endlessly repeated images of planes blasting into the World Trade Center. In our increasingly electronic, information-overloaded society, another challenge for today’s “kids” is the relatively higher cost of higher education. A degree from Adams State has always been one of the most affordable in Colorado. Back in the day, a student could pay an entire year’s tuition and fees by working about six weeks a year, full-time, at minimum wage. Today, that takes more than 23 weeks. (See chart below.) That’s before factoring in living expenses, books, transportation – and technology. One reason costs have escalated is the drastic decrease in state support of public higher education in the last decade. And while 92 percent of ASU students receive financial aid (grant, scholarship, work-study, loan), aid is more difficult to qualify for. Student loan debt is now considerd a national crisis.
adams state • 1960 - 2014 Annual tuition & fees increased: 44.9 times Net cost for resident increased: 31.2 times
$25
= total student fees 1960
Covered health insurance, AS&F, athletics, theater, forensics, musical productions, newspaper, annual, KASF, prom, homecoming dance.
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014
40-hr. weeks to earn T&F 6 6 5.5 9 10.6 15+ 23+
*Tuition & fees figures are for Colorado residents, after application of COF stipend, which began in 2005.
10
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aStater fall 2014
three first-year students share a little about their new lives in college:
“I thought it would be much easier than it is. There is much more to do and less time to do it.” estelle sandovol • Nursing major from Antonito, Colo.; participates in Newman Club and GAB (Grizzly Activities Board) • Received several scholarships, including the Daniels Fund and ASU’s Valedictorian Scholarship • 281 Facebook friends, sends 500 text messages a month
“The best part of being in college is having some freedom.” victoria wert
Data provided and analyzed by Dr. Ron Loser ‘65, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics
tuition & fees/yr. min. wage/hr. $ 165 $1.00 $ 384 $1.60 $ 680 $3.10 $1,350 $3.80 $2,186 $5.15 $4,454 $7.25 $7,449 $8.00
From left: Estelle Sandoval, Victoria Wert, and Darling Najar Madera
• Interdisciplinary studies major, emphasis in literature, from Broomfield, Colo. • Works as Student Ambassador, receives financial aid, and has taken out a loan • 540 Facebook friends, sends 200-300 text messages a day
“The best part of college is meeting people and forming relationships.” darling najar madera • Nursing major from Aurora, Colo. • Holds two campus jobs, receives financial aid and several scholarships • 766 Facebook friends, sends 250 text messages a day