The Sallie Mae Scandal

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by emilieflagg on February 9, 2012

Many of us students here at BSU (and at colleges all over the world) have had to take out loans for our education. We might sign our names on a surplus of documents and then in a way, we feel those loans are out of sight, out of mind.

Too bad they don’t really go away.  A lot of students find themselves graduated and with a degree, yet without an immediate job, and they can’t necessarily pay their loans back right away.  Sallie Mae, one of the most prominent college loan companies, offers forbearance for these former students. Forbearance is an agreement made with the college loan company that allows the Graduate to suspend making payments for an agreed amount of time without an extra penalty.  Sallie Mae is charging fifty dollars for forebearance, which has caused quite a stir among college graduates, including graduate Stef Gray, who believes it’s absurd for college students to have to pay money so that they don’t have to pay their loans right away.  This does seem to be a Catch 22, doesn’t it? Paying so that we don’t have to pay?

When we think about it, it’s quite likely that we won’t have an immediate job- or at least the job in the professional field we majored in- when we graduate from college.  To top it off, there will probably be a great many of things we will need to pay for.  Let’s face it, that part of after-college reality is unpleasant, and this is what graduates are facing.

And so back to graduate Stef Gray: she had many expenses needed to be paid off and wasn’t aware that she would have to pay a fee for her forbearance because she was unemployed.  Fed up, she took an impressive action and decided to protest the fee- one of her modes of protest being the website change.org, a site where anyone can take a stand on an issue they believe is worth protesting about.  Apparently, others found Stef Gray’s argument worth protesting for, because more than 77,000 other college graduates signed this particular petition that she proposed.  It turns out that Sallie Mae listened ; although they didn’t drop the fee for those wanting forbearance, starting February 2, 2012, they will refund the fifty dollars once the students start paying their loans by the agreed time.

So although Sallie Mae didn’t give the graduates exactly what they wanted, the graduates still got attention from Sallie Mae about an important issue.  I hope that everyone is still with me and getting the point I’m trying to make. Even US college students or recent graduates can be heard by big American corporations if we believe in and fight strongly enough for the cause we are supporting.

Do you agree with Stef Gray that this $50 fee is unfair, or do you believe Sallie Mae was simply taking care of necessary business? Is there something you believe is worth protesting about?  

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The Rematch: Basketball, Anyone?

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by Ryan Munns on February 8, 2012

Do you ever get the urge for some basketball? I know I have, but recently it has becoming increasingly more and more difficult. During the winter, an outdoor game of basketball is simply out of the question (except for on all these 50 degree February days we’ve been having…). BSU offers two outstanding facilities where you can take your game and play with others around campus, but with the beginning of softball and baseball seasons coupled with winter intramurals starting up, it gets really crowded.

Tinsley Center

Last week, some friends and headed to Tinsley for a game of pick-up basketball. Long story short: we didn’t actually end up playing- but through no fault of our own. After talking to a few Tinsley employees about where we might be able to get a game in, they just couldn’t stop naming off reasons why the courts weren’t open to the public. Just to name a few:

  • The varsity side of the gym is for, you guessed it, varsity players only.
  • They want to keep the court in pristine condition- which means no “basketball newbies” allowed.
  • The other side of the gym is reserved almost all day by intramural sports, movement arts classes, and baseball/softball practice sessions.

Yep. Even the non-varsity side of the gym which is supposedly open to the public from 8AM-11PM everyday is reserved and practically impossible for anyone to get their hands on.

Kelly Gym

Kelly gym is the usual alternative for students looking to play basketball when Tinsley is full, but with more and more clubs and weekly events going on, Kelly gym is booked up more often than not.

Now, please know that I am NOT saying BSU clubs and event are bad, wrong, or anything negative at all. I support the ability for all students to get a chance to do something they enjoy. That being said can’t a small group of ladies in a ballet group have a different place to go? Is it possible that the Zumba participants can dance it up somewhere else? We would go someplace else if we could but you can’t move the basketball hoops. Most of the clubs that uses Kelly gym only need the large open space.

Solutions

Did you know they just finished up newly designed dance studios in the back of Burnell? Those new studios along with the rather large Burnell cafeteria could make great new locations for Zumba, cardio-kickboxing and ballet. That way, the students who want to play basketball can do so without having to worry about being kicked off the court, and the students in these various clubs can meet during the week free of interruptions.

Another solution that is much less practical would be to make additions to Kelly gym. It’s wishful thinking, but wouldn’t that be cool? If both clubs AND sports teams had their own specific places to practice, athletic life on campus would be so much easier. All I’m saying is that there are ways to solve this issue and keep everybody involved happy, and that’s the goal after all.

Have you ever tried to play basketball but found no place to? Do you think clubs should have their own areas to meet? Should BSU make additions to Kelly Gym?

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Procrastination Rehab

by ashleytwigg on February 8, 2012

This is college. Unfortunately, we all are not “hunkering down” to get our homework or papers done as soon as they are assigned. For many, procrastination is more than just a desperate action- it’s a perfected artform. Working under pressure or against the clock works for some people, but even the best procrastinators have failed once or twice and didn’t manage to pull it all off. Here are some tips to avoid procrastinatination (so you won’t be stuck cramming & missing out on the good stuff).

Make Lists:

I know this makes you feel old, but lists can be very effective. At the beginning of each week, write down everything that is going to be due at some point that week. This way, as of Monday, you are fully aware of the things you must get done. Not only will this help you prioritize, but it will also (hopefully) motivate you.

It Worked as a Kid:

I don’t see the harm in a little self-made reward system. College isn’t easy. Sometimes we have black cloud, twenty-page papers that take oevr our lives. If you’re seriously lacking motivation, make your own! Tell yourself if you complete the assignment, you will treat yourself to manicure or a dinner out with friends. It may seem cheesy, but if you get the work done you’ll have extra time. With that extra time why not spend it on some personal pampering?

Don’t Live in Denial:

I spent the majority of last semester talking loudly over my friend anytime she would mention our final paper. I chose to deny the fact that I would actually have to do it until the time came where I had no other choice but to… TERRIBLE idea. Instead of working on the paper a little at a time, I waited until I was mid-anxiety attack to realize “hey, I should probably start that.”

So, instead of ignoring them (or pretending they aren’t real) try to start ahead of time. Put in a little work here and there and you will be surprised how much you get done. Professors will be impressed if a question comes up along the way because they’ll know how much an overachiever you are for already starting.

Big Project Breakdowns:

Instead of the project leading you to a mental breakdown, you yourself can break down the project ahead of time. Realize the steps that you will need to take along the way to get it done. Ask yourself questions like:

  • Do I need to research anything?
  • Do I need to read an entire book?
  • Do I have to attend any events?

If you break down what needs to be done, you can tackle things one at a time instead of being overwhelmed by everything that is expected of you.

You Got It:

Projects, papers, and final assignments are enough to make you dread an entire semester, but just remember that you WILL make it through. Although, I’m definitely guilty of putting things off, it certainly is a much better feeling knowing you’re ahead of the game instead of ten steps behind. Put in a little extra effort in the beginning and you can be one of “those” people bragging at the end of the semester that your already “ALL DONE!”

 

How do you prevent procrastinating? What are your tactics on getting everything done? Do you think you can be successful procrastinating in college?

 

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