STAFF EDITORIAL | DANCE MARATHON BUDGET UNJUSTIFIED | SEE FORUM, PAGE 7
STUDENT LIFE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 VOLUME 129, NO. 10
WWW.STUDLIFE.COM
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
Tech fee could be added to housing costs v Fee increase
may join room and board charges in fall 2008 BY ELLEN JONES STAFF REPORTER A plan to incorporate the cost of residential technology servic-
es into general room and board rates is currently in development with Network & Technology Services (NTS). Pending approval, the plan could go into effect as early as Fall 2008. “The general direction is to incorporate costs of providing technology to residential students into the housing agreement,” said Jan Weller, assistant vice chancellor for Information Services & Technology at NTS.
“We are currently working with the [University’s Financial Affairs Department] to review all the cost components and to develop a detailed implementation plan. ” The proposal comes as a result of ongoing efforts by Student Union (SU) to reduce the amount of additional expenses encountered by students. “When you pay for room and board, a lot of things that you
think are going to be included are not,” said SU President Neil Patel. “You’re spending about $40,000 already, so being asked to spend another $240 isn’t really fair. Access to the Internet is essential if you’re going to be a successful student here.” According to current policy, all students with Residential Life contracts seeking Internet and cable access in their residence halls must pay an additional fee
70 HOT AIR BALLOONS, FLOATING IN THE SUMMER SKY...
to Student Technology Services (STS) at the start of each semester. The fee is currently set at $135 per semester, but it is expected to increase to $240 in January 2008. NTS estimates that 96 percent of students living in University-owned residences register to have Internet service in their room. Although the proposed plan will not eliminate these fees, it
CONTRIBUTING REPORTER
The balloons take to the air Saturday afternoon in the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. This year’s race featured 70 balloons, including many specialty balloons like the Pepsi Can. For more photos, see the photo spread on page 3 or visit www.studlife.com to check out our online slide show.
Q&A with Cory Booker BY JEREMY ROGOFF CONTRIBUTING REPORTER Newark Mayor Cory Booker came to campus as a part of the Assembly Series this past Friday to talk about commitment to community. Student Life had the opportunity to catch up with this politician with a passion for social change. Booker shared stories—ranging from comical to passionate—of his youth, college years, and political career, and returned to the underlying theme of his talk: how to build strong communities with the help of individual leaders. Following his speech, Booker fielded questions from the audience that addressed a range of topics, including his view on the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and his opinion of Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Jeremy Rogoff: In a college environment, issues like murder, crime and poverty can seem very distant, and usually are overshadowed by reading,
classes, and grad school applications. How should a college student escape from the college bubble and make a difference in the community? Cory Booker: It’s about fi nding what issues you’re passionate about. This is a community, and people can have different impacts. You can have a global impact environmentally, and you can have a community impact if you’re interested in kids and getting out and working with them. I think it’s more about not forcing yourself into areas you don’t like. JR: What about in the campus community? CB: I think [following your passions] applies to both [the outside world and in a college community]. If you’re passionate about chemistry research, follow your passion. I really do believe that your passions are there for a reason. Your life is going to change rapidly. Most people are in college for four to
SCOTT BRESSLER | STUDENT LIFE
Newark Mayor Cory Booker spoke to a full crowd Fri. Sept. 14 in the Lab See BOOKER, page 2 Science lecture hall.
Soccer players badly injured Ethan Silver breaks his jaw and remains hospitalized in Texas. Marshall Plow suffers concussion and is out temporarily. Find out more. Sports, Page 8
Playwrighting festival begins Three Wash. U. students workshop their original plays with dramaturge Michael Dixon in preparation for unveiling of their plays on Sept. 25. Cadenza, Page 6
See TECH FEE, page 2
Congress gives $20 billion to college students BY JOHN SCOTT
ALWYN LOH| STUDENT LIFE
will allow students with Residential Life contracts to more accurately predict the cost of living on campus. The proposed plan would also be especially advantageous to students who qualify for financial assistance. “If students can pay these fees up front, there’s a huge psychological benefit. They won’t feel nickel and dimed all the time,”
Every year, millions of American families face the decision of how to pay for college. Thanks to a bill passed by Congress, that decision may have become a little easier. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act passed with strong bipartisan support, making it the largest bill of its kind since the GI Bill in 1944. The bill provides an additional $20 billion to expand the Federal Pell Grant program and to reduce interest rates for subsidized loans. Among those who benefit are the 6.8 million students who use federal loans to fund their education as well as the 5.5 million students who count on Pell Grants to make college affordable. The bill increases the maximum value of Pell Grants from $4,050 to $5,400 and reduces the interest rate on subsidized loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. Changes will be phased in over the next five years. Even with the large increase in Pell Grant funding, the bill does not place an additional burden on tax payers. The additions to the Pell Grants are funded by reducing the amount the government pays to lenders. Pell Grants are awarded based on fi nancial need. Subsidized loans are also based on need and have a low interest rate. In many cases, students are not required to pay interest on these loans until several months after graduation. Advocates of the bill include the Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG). Luke Swarthout, a U.S. PIRG Higher Education Advocate, believes that the bill had such strong bipartisan support because it benefited so many students. “It demonstrates the broad support for making college affordable,” said Swarthout. “You’re talking about millions and millions of college students that will benefit from this.” Student Financial Services (SFS) has also paid close attention to the development of the bill. Much attention is being paid to the legislation, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, explained Bill Witbrodt, director of SFS at the University. “The University has been in contact with legislators via the various organizations the University belongs to like the
INSIDE: Photo Spread................................3 Cadenza..................................4 Forum................................7 Sports.................................8 Sudoku............................9
American Council on Education,” noted Witbrodt. “The University has defi nitely shown its interest.” According to Witbrodt, about half of University students receive some form of federal fi nancial aid and over 400 students are eligible for Pell Grants. Another federal loan program is the Perkins loan program, which was often used to fund Pell Grant increases and rate cuts to the Stafford program. “Congress has left the Perkins program intact,” Witbrodt continued. There were threats that the Perkins Loan program would be done away with, and that was scary because the Perkins Loan program is very important to the students receiving need-based aid because it is a very low cost loan program.” Overall, Witbrodt is satisfied with the fi nal form of the bill. “I think that our legislators pay very close attention to trying to make college more accessible and more affordable to those who are having problems affording the best education. I’m happy with it.” The bill is not without opponents, however. Kevin Burns, executive director of America’s Student Loan Providers (ASLP) believes that such a drastic cut to interest rates will hurt the student loan business. A suggested alternative was the Nelson-Burr Amendment, which would have reduced the cuts to lenders. Burns believes that it will take time to interpret what effect the cuts will have on lenders. “[Lenders] will have to evaluate if they are going to reduce borrower benefits,” said Burns. “The Congress sets a maximum of 6.8 percent, and a lot of lenders offer breaks on the interest rates because they are competing. I think those interest rate breaks are in jeopardy.” Burns added that, currently, lenders pay many of the fees associated with the loans and that some lenders may begin passing those fees on to the borrowers. “[Lenders] are going to become very cost-conscious, and some may just stop offering student loans,” said Burns. A flux of leaders going out of the business may lead to greater concentration between fewer lenders. Freshman Emily Podany
See BILL, page 2
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