WCC Dining App Off to a Rocky Start
SmartArtspreneurs Visit Witch City USA
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Men’s Soccer Enter Playoffs on a High Note
VikingNews
The
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S PREMIER NEWS SOURCE
Valhalla, NY - vikingnews.net
Fall 2017 Issue 4 - Oct. 3 - Oct. 17
Westchester County to Contribute in Puerto Rico Relief Efforts Donation Boxes Stationed by Tier-One Leadership Offices by Dana Hirsch After Hurricane Maria and Irma hit Puerto Rico and parts of the Virgin Islands, Westchester County, as well as WCC, have taken measures to help. Responding to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, County Executive Robert P. Astorino launched a “Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico” drive across Westchester County, according to a press release. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with those impacted by recent events, especially members of our college community who have ties to tragic loss of life and property,” said President Dr. Belinda Miles in an email to staff and faculty. According to Dr. Miles, WCC is one of the most most diverse institutions in the SUNY system. “[W]e sent to SUNY Administration our statement of absolute support for a proposal, which SUNY Trustees authorized, to provide in-state tuition to Puerto Rican and U.S. Virgin Islands students displaced by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.” WCC students have included a fundraising component into their planned events in order to contribute to the county’s hurricane relief program. “Hurricane relief is an appropriate choice for the SGA to turn our attention to this semester,” said Ben Neubardt, Director of Public Relations for the SGA. “The devastation in Puerto Rico goes beyond the islands and into the lives of our students, and we would like to offer an accessible opportunity for students to participate in relief.” According to Neubardt, there are donation boxes on campus in the SGA office, Student Involvement office, and a few other offices on campus. They are specifically looking for water purification systems, portable lighting, power banks, and clothing. The county collects these donations and facilitates their delivery to the islands. “These boxes, and an attendant to oversee donations, will be present during on campus events now through mid-November,” Neubardt said. “We have compassionate, dedicated students on campus, and we appreciate all the contributions to this cause they have already made. We’re hoping that we can make a difference in the lives of some of the people who need our help.” According to Fernando Cacsire, President of WEB, he was approached by Neubardt. “[Neubardt] asked if, during our WEB events, we could have a bin for donations where there would be someone watching over it,” Cacsire said. “We are just hoping people are getting more aware of what has happened and how they can help. At the end we as WEB are willing to hear how much more we can do to help Puerto Rico.” According to The Daily News, Puerto Rico’s death toll from Hurricane Maria could be substantially higher than the 45 fatalities. Almost 90 percent of Puerto Rico still remains without power and weeks after the hurricane hit, 3.4 million residents still do not have proper shelter or clean drinking water. “Westchester County is home to more than 44,000 Americans of Puerto Rican heritage,” Astorino said. “The devastation of Hurricane Maria has been unprecedented, and on a personal level, the worst fears of families and loved ones have come true. We are all one community here in Westchester, and my hope and prayer is that we can make a meaningful contribution to the people and communities most in need.”
STUDENTS TEAR UP THE DANCE FLOOR AT LATIN HERITAGE MONTH’S NOCHE CALIENTE (Pages 8-9) No Student Tuition Increase for the Fifth Year in a Row by Alex Feedor Under County Executive Robert P. Astorino’s yearly budget, WCC tuition will not be increased. This is the fifth year in a row that County Executive Astorino has worked with the WCC Board of Trustees to keep the tuition at its affordable price. Nearly 13,000 students will benefit from the tuition staying the same. In the past few years, the cost of university has become a serious topic in the mainstream media, and for good reason. Nicholas Singh, the Student Trustee of WCC’s Board of Trustees, shined some light upon the yearly budget. “Over the past 4 years, the constant rate of our school tuition has led to a positive impact on the students. Knowing that this will continue for yet another is year in a row is great news for the students of the college,” said Singh. “One of the goals of the college is to provide accessible, high quality and affordable education to meet the needs of our diverse community. With the non-increase of tuition this goal is more attainable.”
The general attitude towards the tuition remaining steady is positive. In the 2016-2017 school year, the average cost of a public two-year college in New York was $5,261, over $1000 more than WCC’s tuition. “I think the tuition is an incredibly fair rate and gives people the opportunity to experience college without really burning a hole in their pocket,”said WCC student David Cassidy. “As for it not changing in five years it’s a testament to the success and stability of the school. If the school wasn’t doing well the price would have to increase.” Nationally, WCC manages fairly well, even more so as it is a State University of New York. The national average of tuition for two-year public colleges, according to College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges, in the school year of 2016-2017, was about $4,069, including states like California ($1,430) and New Mexico ($1,660). Less than $200 over the national tuition rate for its category, in New York, where the cost of living is the most expensive in the country in terms of urban areas. Furthermore, the national average
for public four-year college tuitions alone is $9,404. Including over $10,000 for room and board, with fees added, the average college student pays around $20,000 a year for university. It is no wonder that the collective debt of college students in the U.S. is over $1.2 trillion. That’s only $300 million difference from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Russia. WCC’s proposed budget for this year is $122 million, along with a $29.9 million contribution from the county. This is a $67,000 increase from last year, and half a million from 2015. Both Astorino and WCC President, Dr. Belinda Miles, announced this in early July. There is a $2.1 million budget for “appropriations,” which include technology upgrades, roof replacements, planning studies, and infrastructure upgrades. Only $75,000 is the college’s operating budget, bonds, note sales, as well as state and federal shares, cover the rest of the expenses. As the debt for students continues to rise, so do tuition and other education cost, but for now WCC students can rest easy with the unaltered tuition.