THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013
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DEBT FROM PAGE 1
educational outcomes across the population.
The model that the Assets and Education Initiative has created is a refurbished one of the current financial aid system, with an asset-aligned path to higher education.
"A national child savings effort is really about delivering the promise of asset accumulation to children who otherwise would not have those opportunities." Lewis said.
The plan calls for savings accounts to be opened automatically at birth, similar to the way an infant is immediately enrolled in the social security system. Lewis said an example would be a legislative proposal in congress, The Aspire Act, which would create a government deposit of $500 at the opening of the account.
"That could start those children on a path of asset-financing for their college education," Lewis said.
Taking advantage of the current value of money is key in paying off loans effectively. Recent graduates are putting off buying, a home or saving up for retirement in order to pay back student loans, Lewis said. Those who delay the accumulation of these assets will be far behind their peers who didn't have debt, had less debt or have debt, but still started accumulating assets earlier.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
Annureet Kaur, a senior from Olathe, is one of the more fortunate students who will graduate debt-free. Her parents saved up to pay for her college education, but did not pay for her recently-graduated
brother. Kaur said her brother has been struggling to find a job in order to begin paying off his loans. She plans on setting up a savings account for her children's college education.
Spencer Vaught, a senior from Tulaa, Okla., pays for school with a combination of grants, scholarships and loans. The 26-year-old has been fully supporting herself for the past three years.
She had always planned on going to college, and after graduating, will be the first in her extended family to do so. Vaught said she was a little naive about the process of student loans at first. She plans on living life on the cheaper side and working full-time to pay off her loans efficiently.
"Until we have the security and benefits from a job from our degree, we have to think wisely about big purchases because we still have loans to pay," Vaught said.
"I wouldn't want my child stressed looking for a job immediately after graduation, just to pay off student loans," Kaur said.
She suggests that students need to be more informed about loans, how to save and how to effectively pay off loans before entering college.
Legislation aims to reduce textbook costs for students
Edited by Emma McElhaney
marce@kansan.com
CONGRESS
MARK ARCE
Legislation was introduced last month in Congress that, if passed, would provide students with access to college textbooks without the large price tag.
The bill, entitled the Affordable College Textbook Act, would create grant programs at colleges and universities that would expand the use of open source textbooks in order to achieve savings for students. The grants would help higher education institutions create open source textbooks that students and the general public could access.
The bill was introduced as a response to findings about the price of college textbooks. The College Board, a nonprofit educational organization, found a typical student's budget for textbooks and supplies was $1,200 during the 2012-2013 academic year. The bill also found that using open source materials in large-enrollment college courses could reduce textbook costs by 80 to 100 percent.
education already, to have to add in those hundreds of dollars to pay for textbooks is unnecessary."
He said that the high costs of textbooks strain students with loans and makes their financial life more stressful.
Ashu Agarwal, a sophomore from Overland Park, also spoke positively of the legislation.
"I completely support it," Agarwal said.
He further elaborated that the idea of increasing the use of open source textbooks seems to be in step with current trends. "The direction we're heading toward right now is away from physical textbooks and toward e-textbooks." Agarwal said.
"I think we're putting a Band-Aid on the problem," Cleary said. "Maybe we could rework how they put out new textbooks and they could fix it at the very starting point, not the cash register point."
industry practice of publishers making minor changes to new editions of textbooks and thinks the legislation doesn't address those larger issues.
Luis de la Rosa, a freshman from Garden City, liked the legislation because he would be able to get the textbooks he needs while also saving money. He also said he would be comfortable with an exclusively online textbook because he has had a positive experience using some digital textbooks this semester.
Brendan O'Farrell, a junior from Overland Park, liked the idea of using open source materials. "It should already be that way, to be honest," O'Farrell said. "Because we pay so much for our
While some students support the legislation outright, others have reservations.
James Rourke, assistant director of the KU Bookstore, said the bookstore tries to make sure students can save as much as possible on the cost of their textbooks. It offers a variety of buying options, such as several rental options, used books and the price comparison tool on their website, in addition to the option to purchase new textbooks. Regardless of whether the legislation passes or not, Rourke the KU Bookstore does its best to provide as many options as possible for students.
Mike Cleary, a junior from Overland Park, said he was curious how the grant would be funded. He said he dislikes the
"We are certainly supportive of really anything that is in the best interests of students," Rourke said. "If it is in the best interest of the student then it is in the best interest for us. That's for sure."
Edited by Emma McElhaney
In the three verses of the holiday song "Deck the Halls" you sing the word "la" 72 times. That is lahvelv!
PANAMA FROM PAGE 2
Happy Holidays from KU Info.
"I am most looking forward to broadening my horizons," Karczewski said. "I'm really excited to have a completely different viewpoint on things I didn't even think about."
POLICE REPORTS
- A 28-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 800 block of Rockledge Road on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence. A $500 bond was paid.
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 20-year-old male was arrested Monday on the 900 block of Tennessee Street on suspicion of transporting an open container, possession of marijuana or THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession or use of fake driver's license and operating a vehicle under the influence. A $900 bond was paid.
her the well-rounded education that a classroom setting can't always provide.
According to the assistant director of the Institute for International Business, Suzanne Scales, this is the only undergraduate, short-term supply chain program offered. She believes this makes it very beneficial to the students who
Emily Donovan
With the trip growing closer, anticipation is growing.
"What makes it exciting for me is watching the students get excited about learning something new
"Students who have a wide variety of interests can find a home in the supply chain environment and utilize the skill sets they have," Woody said. "When they come back from Panama, hopefully they're excited and energized about the career path that they're on and this gives them tangible evidence that it's worthwhile."
It won't just be all work though — the group will also get to see some historical sites in Panama City, like the ruins of Panama Viejo.
attend. In order to give students the advantage of a specialized program, they will visit several points along the newly expanded the free trade zone in the Panama Canal and multiple businesses stationed in Panama City.
"The students, through the program, experience a lot of supply chain related opportunities, but they're also exposed culturally," Woody said.
"We are trying to build some activities for students other than just touring," Woody said. "There are businesses interested in having students participate in a project while they're touring the country"
Because of the balance of cultural and educational events, Woody and Walden hope that the trip gives students real world opportunities and allows them to see how supply chain management
and there's always something new for us to learn too, which makes it even more exciting," Walden said. If the trip continues to be this popular, Woody and Walden hope to expand the trip to multiple times a year and include a larger variety of tourable businesses.
"It's really important to give students that much more hands-on experience while they're there," Woody said. "When we're touring the terminals, the ports, where the ships dock and unload their cargo, we are right up next to those ships. You could never do that in the US. The accessibility of seeing what's going on is just really incredible."
- Edited by Kayla Overbey
realistically works.
SHACK FROM PAGE 1
movement and one of the first senators of Kansas. He had intended the structure to be a stable. In 1925, it was used as a modest apartment for Sudler while he waited for the larger house to be built. The newspaper hanging in the annex now is only one of many artifacts connecting German history to Lawrence.
"There's rich history," said Jim Morrison. "The collections are marvelous and we are happy when we can to attract people in and use the assets there for research."
- Edited by Chas Strobel