The Lorian
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Independently Published by Loras Students Since 1922
Vol. CI Iss. II
September 27 , 2022 - Dubuque, IA
Loras Soccer Celebrates Latinx Night by KEEGAN A. GODWIN executive editor
Saturday was a great day to be a Duhawk. Both the men’s and women’s team hosted the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves as Loras College celebrated their 5th annual Latinx Heritage Night. Latinx Night is presented by the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC. Robert Waterbury of Daily Loras says, “Latinx Heritage Night celebrates the different Latinx heritages that make up a growing part of the Loras student population and the common thread of being a Duhawk”.
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I was literally screaming every time we scored a goal Bernadette Mercurrio
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Freshman
photo from JULIA MEDINA
Loras students celebrate Latinx Night at the Rockbowl on Sat, Sep 24 as both the men’s and women’s soccer team hosted Nebraska Wesleyan. Both teams won their respective matches.
We spoke with Bernadette Mercurrio, a freshman, who was in attendance on Latinx night. When asked with what her favorite part about the night was, she responded, “Free tacos and free t shirts. I love those! Those are so fun”. Mercurrio also said, “I was at the games because I was with my family for family weekend. It made it even sweeter when we won both soccer games”. The men’s team started the action off by taking
an early lead against Nebraska Wesleyan. They continued to dominate the entire game as they easily defeated the Prairie Wolves 5-0. All five goals were scored by different players for the Duhawks as they now have a commanding 5-2 record. Freshman Nicolo Spuri scored his first collegiate goal in the 87th minute of the game, so congratulations to him! Mercurrio recalled him scoring the goal and remarked, “I was literally screaming every time we scored a goal”.
The men’s team’s next home game is on Oct 5 as they host the Luther College Norse at 7:30 PM. The women’s team continued the domination against Nebraska Wesleyan on their senior night. The Duhawks shot an outstanding 37 times compared to the Prairie Dog’s three shots. The Duhawks cruised to an easy 6-0 victory. The Duhawks look to extend their winning steak to five games as they host the UW-Whitewater Warhawks at home on Sep 28 at 5 PM.
Making the Journey for Family Weekend
by JULIA MEDINA guest writer
All Loras Parents were red carpet welcomed by a
jam-packed weekend of events, sports, sit down brunch, lunch, barbecues and a family mass at Christ The King Chapel This was presented by the College Activities Board. Their electrifying events had all the families enjoying their visit to the campus non-stop. Each day of the weekend had social gatherings from mini golf to electrifying Jazz concerts all on photo from JULIA MEDINA the Loras College Campus. Parents were able to spend time with their college students and talk with students, faculty, and alumni. The football team and our mens and women’s soccer teams
Meet Dr. Rachel Daack
Duhawk Dispatch Two
This semester marks Dr. Rachel Daack’s first year teaching sociology classes at Loras College, but it’s not her first time as a staff member here. “I was a solid waste educator 22 years ago,” said Dr. Daack. “I prepage 2
Welcome back to the Duhawk Dispatch! This week, I want to discuss the Father Naumann Award. Each year, Student Government hosts the Father Naumann Award at the Family Weekend Brunch. The page 2
all played this past weekend as well. The games all ended in exciting victories against Nebraska Wesleyan by our Duhawks. There were goody bags that had so many keepsakes to remind parents of our great school. Family weekend was concluded with a Brunch that was provided by Campus Dining, an astonishing performance by the Loras Jazz Band, and speeches. This year’s Parent of the Year to Lisa Medina (Parent of Julia Medina). The Fr. John Nauman award Given to Cindy Behnke who is Coordinator of Center for Inclusion & Advocacy. It was important to honor these individuals who make a large impact on and off campus. The Loras community is strong only because of the people who make a difference in our lives. We are thankful for the hard work of the College Activities Board and Campus Dining Who provided the families with great meals and bonding experiences for all of the current Duhawk families. The weekend would not be as exciting as it was without their dedication to the students and their families. It will be a weekend no one ever forgets.
Lorian LGBTQ+ Column Earlier this month, Virginia’s governor, Glenn Youngkin, announced his new directive for transgender students in the state’s public schools. In a story on WHSV. com, Youngkin claims he page 4
Preview of Duelling Opinions Most people have heard about the overturning of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade. For those who are not familiar with the case, the Supreme Court initially found that women have a page 4
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Sep 27, 2022
The Lorian
Behind the Façade: Who’s Dr. Daack? Our newest sociology professor graduated from the University of Iowa and worked at Clarke and UW-Platteville by BERNADETTE MERCURIO staff writer
This semester marks Dr. Rachel Daack’s first year teaching sociology classes at Loras College, but it’s not her first time as a staff member here. “I was a solid waste educator 22 years ago,” said Dr. Daack. “I previously worked at Clarke University and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.” She even has connections with Loras College through alumni and the student body. “My father decided to go here under the GI Bill,” she said. “It’s still a vibrant campus, but the buildings are different. I have a difficult time navigating sometimes!” Dr. Daack’s passion for sociology is evident through her teaching style. She incorporates students’ questions, such as “How does one debunk a preconceived notion?” and “How can one tell
if a research article is reliable?”, into lecture topics. Questions evidently hold an important place in the Intro to Sociology class because Dr. Daack emphasizes that she cannot teach effectively if she does not first answer the class’s questions. “I’m looking forward to teaching a new environmental justice class that hasn’t been taught for quite some time,” said Dr. Daack. “It starts next semester!” Environmental justice and sociology are not all she cares about. She has a healthy work-life balance with hobbies to keep her occupied. “I like to garden, sing with my husband, and make art,” she said. “Making art calms me.” In parting, she confessed a tidbit. “No one ever asks for your GPA,” she said. “When I went in for job interviews, it was never brought up. But it does still matter.”
photo by BERNADETTE
MERCURRIO
Duhawk Dispatch Number Two by AVA BRADLEY student government president
Welcome back to the Duhawk Dispatch! This week, I want to discuss the Father Naumann Award. Each year, Student Government hosts the Father Naumann Award at the Family Weekend Brunch. The Father Naumann Award is given to a Loras College employee who has made an impact on students’ experience. The recipient goes above and beyond the call of duty and emulates the values of Fr. Naumann. The recipient is someone who values the opportunity to get to know students on a personal basis and has made a difference in their lives. This year’s recipient is Cindy Behnke, Office Coordinator for the Center for Inclusion and Advocacy. Cindy’s nominators said that “She helped me become the person I am today” and “She is our support system and our mother here at Loras”. Congrats Cindy! We had a robust pool of nominations this year. Thank you to all the students who nominated various faculty and staff members! See you next week!
photo courtesy of AVA BRADLEY
Vice-President Andrew Martinez (right) presents the Fr. Naumann Award to Cindy Behnke (left).
The Duhawk Dispatch is an effort between The Lorian and Student Government to increase transparency for students. We are grateful to Student Government for providing these updates.
Legal vs. Illegal: Divided by the Mississippi by JEFFERY SPICOLI guest writer
It was about half past one in the afternoon on a Thursday when I stepped into the place. Compared to the weed dealers I usually go to, there were several distinct differences in my new “dealer’s” place. First, it didn’t reek of old bong water and marijuana smoke. Second, as soon as I walked in, a large jovial man greeted me immediately and politely asked for my identification. This is The Dispensary East Dubuque. The closest place to Loras College to legally buy weed. Other than the large flat screens, which clung to the walls near the ceiling, this place looked more like the lobby of a dentist’s office than a place to get your cannabis fix. When I walked in, there were at least a dozen people sitting on the padded benches that lined two of the lobby’s walls. And, like a dentist’s office, they were awaiting their turn to be called in. The security guy at the door told me, on Friday and Saturday there’s often a line that stretches out the door and into the parking lot. Based on the number of people waiting, obviously, there are lots of people who want to get high but don’t want to buy their weed from some dude that makes you use a special knock when you get to his door. Another difference between this place and my illegal dealer’s apartment, the clientele is not what you’d expect “The average customer here – I would almost pin them at 40 (years old) and above,” said Dave Oliver. He noted that younger people still prefer to get their cannabis illegally from a dealer. I spoke with Oliver before I entered the store to buy my first legal weed. Oliver’s official title is Agent in Charge, or AIC. He describes the AIC as a supervisor at the dispensary. He also works as a “budtender,” one of the people that helps customers determine which of the cannabis products will work best to fulfill their needs. According to Oliver, there are a lot of licensing requirements to get approval to open a legal weed dispensary. Only a select few were chosen to open stores in Illinois, he said. The federal government doesn’t allow weed to cross state lines to be sold. Because of this, Oliver said that the growth and cultivation of the weed that is sold in the state dispensaries had to be started a year or more before the dispensaries could open. It has to be grown in Illinois to sell it there. It was my turn to purchase my legal weed. The receptionist, who did the second check of my ID, escorted me through the locked door to the sales area. There were about a half dozen budtenders seated on high stools behind a long bar-height counter. The receptionist led me to my budtender, who just happened to be Dave Oliver. Before working at the dispensary, Oliver was the co-owner of a bar in Dubuque. COVID nearly destroyed Continued on page 3
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East Dubuque Dispensary Continued from page 2
the bar business, he said. In June of 2020, he was still trying to keep the bar open when his friend called him and asked him if he wanted to work at the dispensary, which was about to open. He figured it would be a great second job that might help him keep the bar financially afloat. After only a few days working at the dispensary, Oliver said he decided to leave the bar business and devote all of his energy to selling legal weed. Oliver admitted that illegal weed on the street is certainly cheaper than legal stuff. But, he said, there is a myriad of benefits to getting it legally. “(In) this day and age there (are) always concerns when you buy anything off the streets about what it actually is,” Oliver said. He said that the legal weed business is highly regulated. The state of Illinois oversees everything that goes into the growing of the plants here. “When you buy it from a dispensary, you know what you’re buying,” Oliver said. Another benefit to buying from a legal source, unlike your local dealer, the dispensary has around 500 different cannabis products to choose from. These are listed on the flat screens that you can view in the lobby and the sales area. Everything from “Ascend,” to “Ice Cream Cake,” to “Triangle Octane.” In addition to the traditional cannabis buds, the dispensary also has a variety of vapes, dabs (highly concentrated cannabis in different forms), and edibles. I was interested in the buds. Perusing the store’s website, you’ll see all of these listed and described in detail, very similar to what you might see with fine wines. Here’s the description of “Ice Cream Cake” on the website: “Ice Cream Cake features a creamy flavor profile with sweet hints of vanilla and sugary dough. This strain is reported by medical marijuana patients and consumers to have calming effects that help with pain, sleep, and anxiety. Ice Cream Cake weed is ideal for nighttime use when you have nothing important to do except watch TV and fall asleep. Growers say this strain has light green and purple buds that are completely flushed with icy trichomes.” As I approached the counter across from Oliver, he asked me, once again, for my ID. This is required by the state. It is placed on the counter where the numerous cameras in the sales area can keep an eye on every transaction that occurs in the store. Multiple state agencies monitor the cameras, with at least one agency watching, in realtime, at all times. Oliver said that one of the reasons the ID is on the counter during the
purchase is, out of state buyers can only purchase half the amount that Illinois residents are allowed to buy. With a new semester underway, I told Oliver that I needed something to help me settle down in the evening that can also help me with my sleep issues. He described three basic options. Indica, known for that mellow body buzz. Sativa, which is more of a “head high.” And hybrids that would be a mix of a little or a lot of one or the other. I decided to go with an Indica. Oliver walked me through the percentages of THC, the main psychoactive compound in weed that gets you high, in several different options of Indica that were available. He noted another benefit of legal versus street weed. The legal stuff has anywhere from around a 21 to 31 percent concentration of THC, while street weed is generally about 16 percent. Based on his recommendation, I went with the “Four Kings” Indica. At $81 for an eighth of an ounce, it’s a little on the pricey side. There are similar strains that you can purchase for $55 for the same amount. The price includes tax, which varies depending on the THC concentration. “Four Kings” has around 23 percent THC. The tax is about 24 percent. The tax can be as high as 40 percent on higher concentrations. In addition to my ID being on the counter, when I handed over my payment, Oliver laid out the four twenties and one dollar bill to make them visible to the camera. Big Brother is constantly watching every aspect of marijuana sales in Illinois. The product comes up from a vault in the lower floor of the store. Unlike other legal weed states, like Colorado, Illinois law prohibits customers from seeing and smelling the weed before you buy it. Once it made its way to a small door in the wall, Oliver retrieved it and brought it to me. The clear jar with a childproof lid contained seven small buds. There are two thin labels that secure the lid to the jar. I shook Oliver’s hand and thanked him for his help Shortly after leaving the parking lot, I crossed the state line into Wisconsin. Within minutes I made it across the river, another state line, and back to Iowa. I was now a cannabis outlaw. That’s the weird thing about state weed laws. I’m legally buying it in one place but, once I leave the parking lot and drive about two miles, I’m immediately holding contraband. Suddenly a wave of nervousness eased up my spine. I calmed myself with the thought of what my new little jar contained. A pungent smelling flower to ease that anxiety with one long puff.
The Lorian Executive Editor:
Keegan Godwin
Executive Copy Editor:
Mary Fellers
Asst. Executive Editor:
Ryan Floyd
Asst. Executive Copy Editor: Faculty Advisor:
Sarah Cunningham Mark Mederson
Sep 27, 2022
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This article is part of a series where LGBTQ+ students at Loras can write stories under a pseudonym to safely express themselves and their identities.
The Imminent Threat to Safe Spaces at School by CHLOE WILSON staff writer
Earlier this month, Virginia’s governor, Glenn Youngkin, announced his new directive for transgender students in the state’s public schools. In a story on WHSV.com, Youngkin claims he is doing this to reduce hate. “At the heart of this model policy is loving every student and making sure they understand there is zero tolerance, zero, for any kind of discrimination, harassment, or bullying,” said Youngkin. But, according to a story in the Washington Post, his 2022 Model Policies “require schools to categorize transgender children by their ‘biological sex’ when it comes to using the bathroom, locker room and other facilities and participating in activities. They also bar students from adopting a new name or pronouns without parental permission.” These 2022 policies roll back Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s 2021 policies which left it up to students to state their sexual identity, preferred name, and pronouns. Unlike Younkin’s new directive, the 2021 policy did not require schools to inform parents of the student’s gender identity requests. Youngkin’s directive impacts students in 131 public schools in Virginia. It requires schools to contact parents if their child desires to be addressed by a different name and pronoun. Additionally, schools must contact parents before the student can receive counseling. Governor Youngkin stated these new policies are about “keeping people safe, but also fully, fully involving parents in these important decisions,” in response to claims and worries about possible bullying that may arise from this. In the eyes of the governor, and likely the eyes of many parents, informing a transgender student’s parents of their child’s identity is perfectly reasonable. Parents, especially those of younger students, would likely want to be informed if their child is beginning to indicate they identify with another gender.
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Staying up to date and informed would allow parents to talk more with their children as they grow older, and whether or not to discuss possible hormone treatment plans if the child desires later. On the flip side, however, the worries and fears of bullying are also valid. In reaction to governor Youngkin’s new policies, Virginia delegate Mike Mullin tweeted, the model “calls for the misgendering and outing of children in schools where they’re supposed to be safe.” Rep. Gerry Conolly, in a tweet, claimed the policies displayed “bigotry” and ignorance,” and the “false promise of protecting Virginia students.” As a queer student myself, and one who knows many others, Mullin’s response resonated with me. For many of us, school is where we feel safe to express ourselves and our identities. There are many people I know who have parents that are unwilling to talk to them on gender-related topics based on fear and ignorance. At school, these students can express themselves freely and go under the name and pronouns they prefer. When we get this basic respect, we come to school with less fear, and more willingness to learn. For some of us, requiring a parent’s permission to be addressed by a different name or pronoun can result in going home to an unsafe or unsupportive environment. I know people who were kicked out of their homes and disowned by their families because of their identities. Youngkin claims his new policies are aimed to promote the safety of transgender students at school and perhaps introduce important discussions between children and their parents at home. But, it is important to understand that notifying parents will not always be beneficial to the student. Students should be able to choose whether the school contacts their parents regarding their pronouns and name if they feel comfortable. In the end, a child changing their name at school is not as scary as the risk of being disowned by their family at home.
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Opinion pieces published by The Lorian do not represent the beliefs and values of Loras College or the The Lorian editorial staff.
by JAKE SINATRA staff writer
Disney announced that they would be releasing another live-action remake of one of their most nostalgic animated movies. Coming to theaters in May 2023, the reimagination of The Little Mermaid stirred up some controversy around the country after its trailer was released. This new spin on the classic story features Halle Bailey, a black actress, playing the part of Ariel, the protagonist of the movie. Unsurprisingly, this information caused another schism in the United States, with many people feeling that this was wrong of Disney, and equally many believing it is a positive change for racial equality in Hollywood. Within a day, my twitter feed was blowing up with some really nasty things being said from both sides of the argument. Nonetheless, I was attacked by both sides when I stated they were BOTH right. In all honesty, I think there should be more movies with black leads. Movies like Roman J. Israel, Esq. starring Denzel Washington, or Hidden Figures starring Octavia Spencer, Taraji Henson, and Janelle Monae, are among my favorite movies. These movies were unique, individual, well-written, and interesting. Hidden Figures in particular was captivating, but also brought light to discrimination and flaws in our country, some of which still go on today. However, with this new, aggressive “woke” movement, especially seen in Disney, the idea of giving better platform to black Americans in Hollywood turned from noble and inspiring, to downright lazy. Disney is an economic powerhouse, with a net worth of nearly $203.61B dollars, and a global revenue of $67.41B in 2021. Additionally, they have some of the greatest artistical minds the country has to offer on their payroll. Do you really mean to tell me that with all this wealth and genius, Disney is incapable of writing an original story involving a black protagonist? I don’t believe that for one minute. I do not know what it is like to be black; I’m white. I don’t want to speak on behalf of something I don’t truly understand as if my word is doctrine. However, I can truthfully say I have spoken to some of my friends who are black, and my argument is not far off of what they think. It is shameful to hide behind the façade of “woke social justice warrior”, and not even make an attempt to write an original movie. It’s not about having a black actress as a lead, and it’s not even about her replacing a traditionally white roll. It’s about the pure laziness from Disney to produce something of substance, and to call out all the “racists” who point out their laziness.
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The Constitutional Timeline of Roe v. Wade This article presents background information for next week’s duel opinion piece from representatives of the Loras Democrats and Republicans by MARY FELLERS
Disney’s Next Lazy Attempt at “Wokeness”
Sep 27, 2022
executive copy editor
Most people have heard about the overturning of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade. For those who are not familiar with the case, the Supreme Court initially found that women have a constitutional right to abortion. However, although this Supreme Court decision was passed, no amendment to the Constitution itself was made following the decision. Now Americans argue that legislators waited too long and have thus lost a constitutional right for women. But what has the overturn of Roe v Wade really done? To understand the impact of the overturn of Roe v Wade, it is important to know the facts of the case and the subsequent decisions made by the Supreme Court. In 1972, the Supreme Court heard the case of Jane Roe (or Norma McCorvey) v Henry Wade (district attorney of Dallas County). Roe was suing the state for not allowing her access to abortion. The court originally found the state in violation of the fourteenth amendment or the right to privacy, stating that Roe’s right to “liberty” was violated. Therefore, abortion during the first trimester was considered a constitutional right. Interestingly, during the trial, Roe gave birth to
her child and gave the child up for adoption, suggesting she never actually got what she wanted. Eventually, in the 1990s, McCorvey converted to Catholicism and became an activist for the pro-life movement. A subsequent case influenced by Roe v Wade was Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v Casey. The case determined that the requirement for the husband of a pregnant woman to “sign-off ” before an abortion could proceed was unconstitutional. However, it also allowed states to regulate abortions occurring before viability (the baby’s ability to survive outside the womb; ~23 weeks gestation) except in cases of “undue burden” or a “substantial obstacle”, whereas before states were unable to restrict abortions before viability. The 1992 case essentially reaffirmed Roe v Wade but allowed states to increase the number of restrictions on abortion access. Recently in June of this year, the court heard the Dobbs (Thomas Dobbs, state health officer) v Jackson (Jackson Women’s Health Organization) case which questioned whether a 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court looked to Roe and Casey for precedence but found that both previous decisions needed
to be reexamined due to unclear constitutional grounds. While examining the other case precedents, the court also looked at whether the right to an abortion is rooted in American history and therefore an “ordered liberty”. The Supreme Court is intended to make decisions solely based on its interpretation of the Constitution. Therefore, because the Constitution does not clearly define terms listed in the cases (for example, “unborn human being” vs. “potential life”) and does not explicitly state abortion as a “right” (that is, to the best of the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the document), the court could not with certainty agree that abortion is a human right. The opinion held by the court from the Dobbs decision follows: “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” Now that we understand why and how the court decided to overturn Roe, we can ask what the overturn means for states and women. Next week, representatives from the Loras Democrats and Republicans will give their opinions regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The Irony of Expensive Education in America by KEEGAN GODWIN executive editor
Money. Green paper powers everything in the world. No matter what you try to do or where you go, money will always be there. Now, whether that money is paper or digital is a whole different discussion. The world as we know it is changing drastically. Technology, dare I say, is now an essential part of our lives. And not just in the aspect of social media and phones; the businesses we buy from too. ICSID estimates that 90% of all businesses rely on digital tools for communication, 80% for internal management and over 40% use them for sales. Businesses are adapting to that technology by using computers and technology to improve their output and production. With the advancement of technology in business, however, many workers are being replaced by that same technology. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, “Many lower-skilled jobs are being shipped overseas, and computers do much of the mundane, repetitive work now. What’s left are more complex tasks that require people to solve problems and work together”. This has caused alarm in many businesspeople as they have scrambled to adapt to this new technology. Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang was the loudest voice, claiming that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has begun. But with the rise of technology replacing lower-skilled jobs, the demand for
higher-educated workers is growing. That brings us to our big problem in today’s world: the cost of college. As the demand for highly educated workers pours in, the cost of attending college continues to climb. In 1980, according to Forbes, the average cost of college of attending a four-year college was $10,231 – that includes tuition, fees, and room and board. Today, according to U.S. News, the average cost for college is $39,723 for a private college and $22,953 for a public college, before scholarships and grants. Once a student graduates, U.S. News reported that the average student debt totaled close to $30,000. President Joe Biden has just announced a student loan forgiveness program that could forgive up to $20,000. With the cost of college rising exponentially, it is easy to understand why college enrollment is at the lowest since the early 2000s, according to the Education Data Initiative. The idea of graduate school has increased over the past decade, with 4.08 million students attending graduate school in 2018 compared to 3.77 million in 2011, according to the U.S. Census. Despite more students attending graduate school, the average cost of completing a master’s degree will cost students an average of between $30,000 – $40,000 on top of the money they spent on their bachelor’s degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for lawyers will grow 10% between 2021 – 2031. However, the average cost of law school is $49,312 for private law schools while the average cost of public law schools is $41,628,
according to Penn State. According to Credible.com, the average law school graduate ends up with $130,000 in student loan debt. This has led to record-low law school enrollment, according to Law School Transparency. Despite these record costs and record-low enrollment, free universal education is virtually impossible here in the United States – and for good reason. Many European countries like Norway, Iceland, and Germany, have been praised for their free (or virtually free) college. But that kind of system would not work in our nation. 19.4 million students went to college here in America in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Norway and Iceland do not have 19 million citizens combined. The U.S. simply has a population that is too large to provide free college education to everyone. The European system of education works in Europe. That type of system would not work in the U.S. The ironic part of our student-debt crisis expensive college is this; it is necessary. To obtain a postsecondary education, you need to invest in yourself. Many colleges provide grants and scholarships to students to ease the burden of debt. But that does not erase all debt. People are still suffering from student loans. Some people may make poor decisions that make paying back loans nearly impossible, but the system is still broken. Many great students are attending college today. While the system remains broken, we can only hope that these great students can one day solve our ironic system of the expensive college.