2.7.13 Yellow Jacket

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51 W. College St. Waynesburg, PA 15370

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Vol. 90 No. 13

Financial aid reductions anticipated, students encouraged to file FAFSA By Sarah Bell Executive Editor As financial aid decreases and university costs continue to rise, students are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. According to Matthew Stokan, director of Financial Aid, the FAFSA is “the key that unlocks the financial aid doors” for students. Last year, the FAFSA supplied more than $150 billion in financial assistance to college students. Pennsylvania alone

awarded more than $2 million in state aid to Waynesburg students, Stokan said. Although the FAFSA awards numerous loans and grants to students, a reduction in both state and federal aid is concerning to professionals in the financial world, Stokan said. “Unfortunately the federal and state governments keep reducing their financial aid dollars. One of the things that frustrates me and other people in the financial aid world is that they keep reducing financial aid grant money,

“One of the things that frustrates me and other people in the financial aid world is that they keep reducing financial aid grant money, but then complain about the increase in student loans.” Matthew Stokan Director of Financial Aid

but then complain about the increase in student loans and student indebtedness. If students see their grant money reduced, what other option do they have besides student loans?”

Stokan said. “They want students to reduce their loan borrowing but then the federal and state grants are being reduced. You can’t have your cake and eat it to.” Roy Barnhart, senior

vice president for Finance & Administration, agreed that filling out the FAFSA is an important process for families. “It’s the only way students get any financial aid,” Barnhart said. “Parents may make the assumption that their income is too high for financial aid. I’ve talked to parents who just decided not to fill it out and I wouldn’t suggest that unless your income is outrageously high. I’d fill it out to see what might possibly be out there.” Filling out the FAFSA makes students eligible

for federal grants, loans and work-study funds. In addition, the application branches out to statewide funding. Barnhart added the decrease in financial aid, as well as the results from the FAFSA, help “point out the values of schools that are cost conscious,” like Waynesburg University. Barnhart said that one way Waynesburg keeps costs low for students is by focusing more on instruction than administration. See FINANCIAL on A2

Hundreds compete on Merit Day

Welcome back

WU’s Line

By Sarah Bell Executive Editor

universities with all be digital,” said Barnhart. “I can’t disagree with the way sales are going through. It is hard for students to pay high prices and, online sales give them a better deal.” Junior English Education major Madelyne Pieringer agrees with Barnhart. “It’s hard to go to school and pay for the other things you need, so when it comes to paying books you’re going to look

About 260 prospective students were on campus Saturday with the hopes of receiving one of 90 scholarships up for grabs on Merit Day. Merit Day provides prospective students with the opportunity to compete for departmental scholarships, as well as the Bonner, Leadership and Stover scholarships. With around 100 more applications than were submitted in previous years, the Office of Admissions had to wittle the 400 applications down to select which students would compete on Merit Day. “Not only is it awarding scholarship money that helps with financial aid packages,” Jessica Sumpter, director of admissions, said. “It’s an opportunity for prospective students to visit campus and talk directly with the departments.” During the day, current Waynesburg University students gave tours to families. “Parents have a huge role in making that college decision with their student,” Sumpter said. “Not only are we promoting Waynesburg University to students but parents as well.” Other activities, such as student panels, which gave parents the chance to ask questions, and meetings on the different edu-

See SALES on A2

See HUNDREDS on A2

Photos by Abigail Wernert

(Above) On Jan. 30, the first “WU’s Line is it Anyway?” was held on campus after the crew took last semester off. The performers acted out numerous skits made famous by the show “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” (Top Right) Sireno Mattie Adam, Adam Tapparo and Emily-Ann Stephens portray “the good, the bad and the ugly” as part of the event. (Bottom Right) Tapparo and Mike Sickles are being used as props during their performance in the show. (Far Right) Renee Watts and Nathan Hsueh act out everything the narrator tells them to during a skit.

WU bookstore sales decrease due to increase in online use By Matt Jones Staff Writers The Waynesburg University campus bookstore has seen its lowest sales in half a decade due to lack of in-store purchases. Roy Barnhart, senior vice president of finance and admission, believes that there is one simple reason for why the sales have gone down in the past few years. Barnhart believes the bookstore business has changed and it is hard to compete with online book rental sites.

“With more books being available online and at cheaper prices then our store, the need for shopping on-site is going down,” said Barnhart. Online renting has made for a large decrease in sales at the campus bookstore. Barnhart said that sales were around $1 million five years ago. However, since popularity in digital transactions has increased, the bookstore has suffered a nearly 40 percent sales decrease coming into the

2012-2013 school year. Efollet, the online rental site affiliated with Waynesburg University, rents the space located in the Stover Campus Center. Along with books and merchandise sales, the money from the rental agreement is where the majority of bookstore profits come from the bookstore. With such a push toward digital sales, the on-campus bookstores may have difficulty keeping up with online sales. “I believe within the next eight years, the sale of books at

SPORTS

REGION

ARTS & LIFE

Four wrestlers won first place at the Summa Memorial Tournament. See Page C1

A local culinary arts class from Greene County Career and Technical Center travelled to Washington D.C. to cook for the inauguration ceremony.

A mime performs and act involving student participation, juggling and more.

INSIDE Copyright © 2013 by Waynesburg University

Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1-A4 Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1, B4 Editorial/Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2, B3

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1-C4 Arts & Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D1-D2 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . .D3-D4

See Page B1

See Page D1


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