Thursday, March 2, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Needy students getting less aid
Continued from page 1A
and get a good education wherever they go. What's important is the student who needs the money but doesn't get it and can't go to school in their own state."
Maxwell is lobbying the Legislature for more financial aid for the University.
He said he viewed financial aid as a national resource to build social capital and not as a bottomline business asset to the University.
According to the study, at a four-year institution, need-based scholarships for high-income families rose 98 percent, or 144,730 more awards, from 1989 to 1995, while need-based aid for low-income families rose only 25 percent, or 51,625 awards.
all grants, merit and need-based, rose 62 percent, or 182,824 awards, for high-income families and only 16 percent, or 39,447 awards, for low-income families.
Maxwell said he found these numbers appalling.
These universities need to be putting money into need-based financial aid," he said.
Cerveny said the Office of Admissions and Scholarships gave 30 percent, about $1.5 million, in merit and need scholarships to incoming students and the remaining amount, $2.5 million to $3.5 million, was only for merit.
"If those are the numbers,
that's terrible." Maxwell said. "It should be more like 90 percent need and 10 percent merit."
But Cerveny said even though some aid is not classified as need-based, it is, for all intents and purposes.
"We've found that a lot of middle-class families don't quite meet the requirements for need-based aid, but it would be very challenging for the student and family to make ends meet," he said. "This is where we feel scholarship makes a difference."
This is the kind of student that Maxwell wants to give financial aid to attend the University.
"College is not just for the rich or wealthy," he said. "It should be open to all the people of Kansas who qualify to come here."
Cerveny said the endowment association gave the University $12 million last year to help attract merit scholars.
"We have a pretty unique and special situation," he said. "Our endowment association is in support of scholarships and it has allowed us to be aggressive in recruiting students and give them some extra money."
Maxwell said he doesn't think merit scholars need the extra money.
"They should get a plaque on their wall from the University for being a good student," he said.
Students First kicks off campaign
Last night at The Hawk, 1340 Ohio St., the Students First coalition kicked off its political campaign. Presidential candidate Sam MacRoberts, Leawood junior, and vice presidential candidate Carrie Depenbusch, Columbus junior, spoke to students regarding political platforms for the Student Senate election. Photo by Lucas W. Krump/KANSAN
Education program to create cost-efficient college nest eggs
writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
The Commission on a National Investment in Higher Education reports that if tuition continues to rise at the current rate, it will double by 2015.
Students who think college tuition is high now may not want to fathom what their children might have to pay to be a University of Kansas Jayhawk in the future.
However, with a little help from the state of Kansas and mom and dad, future Jayhawks may have a college nest egg that can withstand rising tuition trends.
State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger said this program could help parents combat rising college costs.
In July, the Kansas Postsecondary Education Savings Program will begin allowing anyone to set up special educational accounts with tax benefits.
"We want to encourage the working middle income, who traditionally don't save money, to invest $25 a month in their child's college education," said Shallenburger, the program's administrator.
And $25 a month — a little less than the cable bill — can make a difference.
Parents investing $25 a month for 18 years with an average 10 percent return on investment would save about $17,000 for their child's college education.
Grandparents, relatives or anyone can open or contribute to the education-designed account, which the state will place in a diversified investment portfolio—a mix of stocks and bonds at varing risk levels.
Plus, the interest on the investment is sheltered from taxes, said Bill Bates, vice president of governmental affairs at American Century, the Kansas City, Mo., investment company that will manage the program.
"It's the best way and the most intelligent way to save money for education." Bates said. "We're committed to making the plan, if not the finest, one of the finest in the nation."
When money is withdrawn for a qualified educational expense — tuition, room and board, books, required fees and supplies — federal and state taxes are payable only on what the investment has earned.
The taxes will be based on the student's tax rate, which is likely to be lower because students don't have much taxable income.
Bates said the entire investment eventually could be tax-free, pending national legislation.
The Senate Education Committee heard testimony from Shallenburger and Bates yesterday about revising the program that the 1998 Legislature approved.
Proposed changes to the program include lowering the penalty fee for early withdrawal from 15 percent to 10 percent and removing the age limit.
Last summer, President Clinton vetooed a tax bill that included making postsecondary education programs tax-free. Bates said.
A minimum investment of $25 opens an account and the money must remain in the account for at least two years. Kansas residents must pay a $10-per-year fee. Out-of-state residents must pay $40 per year. The money can be used at any college in the United States.
Penalty fees for non-educational uses and early withdrawal are meant to prevent program abuse by people trying to escape taxes, Shallenburred said.
Without an age limit, the program would allow adults who wanted to attend college as non-traditional students to start accounts in their own names.
we want to make sure the people using the fund are really going to college," he said.
First student affairs chancellor dies at 85
By Doug Pacey
By Doug Pacey writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
One of the people who held the University of Kansas together during the turbulent times of the 1960s and 1970s died yesterday.
William M. Balfour, the University's first vice chancellor for student affairs in the late '60s and ombudsman in 1977, died at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. He was 85.
"Much of what we have today in KU's Division of Student Affairs reflects back on Bill's work when we first became a major administrative unit in the University," said David Ambler, current vice chancellor for student affairs.
Ambler also said that Balfour's ability to communicate with students helped the University through trying times in the 1960s and 1970s.
"I've been told he had a style that gained confidence with students," Ambler said. "It is believed that his genuine concern for students saved the day many a time during the anti-war period."
Ambler became the vice chancellor when Balfour resigned and returned to teaching. Ambler said that he frequently consulted with Balfour and
"Much of what we have today in KU's Division of Student Affairs reflects back on Bill's work when we first became a major administrative unit in the University."
David Amblei
David Ambler
vice chancellor for student affairs
sought his advice often.
"He was a wonderful human being whose genuine concern for student welfare is part of the great KU tradition." Ambler said. "I shall miss him and shall ever be grateful for the good advice and counsel he gave me when I first arrived."
Del Shankel, professor emeritus of molecular biosciences, said he first met Balfour when the two were in charge of national science and math summer camps at the University. Shankel said that although Balfour had a heavy administrative load, he always had time for students.
good adviser and especially good at working with students," he said. "He was a great and marvelous person."
Balfour won the University's H.O.P.E. award for excellence in teaching in 1978 and 1980.
He was also a professor of physiology and cell biology, and served as the pre-med adviser for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"He was a wise counselor, a
Balfour received his B.S. in 1936 from the University of Minnesota and a master's from the Mayo Graduate School in 1948.
He first came to the University in 1957 as an assistant professor in the medical school. Balfour first taught in 1966 and also served as the chairman of the comparative biochemistry and physiology department.
He was born Nov. 26, 1914, in Pasadena, Calif., to Donald and Carrie Balfour.
His wife, Oane McQuarrie, preceded him in death as well as one of his daughters, Barbara Balfour.
He is survived by a son, James Balfour of Healdsburg, Calif; two daughters, Laurie Balfour Tremaine of St. Paul, Minn., and Wendy Balfour of Lawrence; one brother, Walter Balfour of Yuba City, Calif.; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.
Humanities and Western Civilization Program
LECTURE
"There is Life After Humanities The Merits of a Liberal Arts Background in the Business World"
Jimmy D. Morrison Former President and CEO Siemens Transportation Systems, Inc.
TODAY Thursday, March 2, 2000 4:30 p.m. Jayhawk Room, Kansas Union
Co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
GRAD FAIR 2000
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb.29, March 1, KU Bookstores Kansas Union, Level 2
Join us for this special event!
KU Graduation Announcements
KU Caps & Gowns
Official Class Rings by Milestone Traditions
KU Career and Employment Center Info.
KU Alumni Association Information
Diploma Frames
Enter to Win!
Graduation Announcements ($50 value)
Free Graduation Regalia
14 kt. Men's Official Class Ring $395 value)
14 kt. Women's Official Class Ring ($325 value)
Diploma Frames
KU Merchandise
Ring this card for entry
Bring this card for entry.
Drawing for eligible 2000 graduates only. No purchase required.
Graduation Announcements: 1-800-433-0296
Kansas and Burge Unionls 644-8400
Check out Graduation Info at www.iiahwaws.com/regalia
Grad Fair Special Free Graduation Cap with purchase of both announcements & regalia during the Grad Fair!
Web
www.jayhawaii.oxniregala
E-Mail jayhawks@ukans.edu
Kansas Union
785-864-4640
Burge Union
785-864-5697
KU Bookstore Kansas Union
- Great gift ideas
- Unique European foods
au Marché
19 West 9th Street
*Imported soaps
*Cheeses, chocolates, & more
The European Market
865-0876
this summer,
pack your underwear, your toothbrush and your [guts].
At Camp Challenge, you'll get a taste of what it's like to be an Army officer. And in the process, pick up leadership skills you'll use for the rest of your life. Apply for Camp Challenge at the Army ROTC Department. Then start packing.
ARMY ROTC
Unlike any other college course you can take.
For more information, call Captain Ron Tucker at (785) 864-3311, Univ. of Kansas