WEDNESDAY | 11.9.11 MaceandCROWN.COM | Vol. 53, Issue 9
Two Groups,
Two Very Different Opinions
Chet Szymecki | 757photo
By: David Bakhshaee News Editor The College Republicans, a student organization at Old Dominion University, facilitated an event on Kaufman Mall, regarding weapons policies at colleges and universities in Virginia. On Nov. 1, the Virginia Citizens Defense League and the Virginia Center for Public Safety, squared off supporting opposite sides of the debate on whether weapons should be allowed on university and campus grounds. The debate was ignited by recent actions taken by the Board of Visitors and President Broderick to change exist-
ing weapons policies. “I think it was a positive reflection of our students that they could, regardless of what side of the issue they were attached to, first and foremost go out and demonstrate their support,” said John R. Broderick, president of ODU. “The university is always going to serve as a marketplace for ideas.” ODU, much like many other Virginia colleges and universities, already has a policy in place banning weapons on campus. In July, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli released an opinion regarding university policies relating to weapons. His opinion states that those policies do not apply Continued on A3
Congressman Visits Campus
Pro-Gun and AntiGun protests engulf Kaufman Mall Presidental Candidate Preview see A4-A6
Lady Monarchs are CAA Champs Again see C1
President Obama’s Student Loan Plan
By: Rebecca Osborne Staff Writer The Student National Environmental Health Association at Old Dominion University welcomed Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) on Monday, Oct. 31. Congressman Scott, from the third district, stressed his support for laws that are critical to economic development and environmental health. The main agenda for Scott’s visit was to address environmental concerns, but also the importance of proper care for our citizens. While serving as a delegate in Virginia, Congressman Scott worked for better access to health care for children and needy families. He also strived to increase wages and access to career training. Congressman Scott is the U.S. Representative for Virginia’s third Congressional District. He has served in Congress since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Scott’s district includes the entire city of Portsmouth, various parts of Norfolk, Hampton and Newport News, and most of the city of Richmond. A native of Newport News, Congressman Scott has a vested interested in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. “My voting history shows the importance of environmental health in regards to economic growth,” said Scott Monday afternoon while addressing Continued on A3
cleveland.com
By: Janah Stokes Staff Writer President Obama’s Student Loan Plan is set to help 1.6 million people save hundreds of dollars a month. According to a report by the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, the average cost of tuition and fees at fouryear institutions increased to 8.3 percent this year. “Obama is trying to put a cap on student loan payments, basically when we get out of college it shouldn’t [Loan payments] be more than 10 percent from what we make,” said Amber Parker, a junior English major at Old Dominion University. “I think it’s a good idea because depending on how many student loans,
it’s going to determine how much you pay. Right when you get out of college, you have to pay and even with your degree, students will not be able to pay it.” For many young people, that means greater loans and more debt around the time when it is hard to find a job right after graduation. Parker went on to talk about what Obama discussed when he visited the University of Colorado. “We should be doing everything we can to put college education within reach for every American,” said Parker when discussing Obama’s remarks. According to a CNN post, “the president said the repayment amount of a federal student loan will be limited to Continued on A3