THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013
PAGE 3
POLITICS
Student loans, military funding affected by shutdown
ROBERT PYATT
rpyatt@kansan.com
The recent government shutdown is estimated to cost the United States $1.6 billion for every week that the government is shut down. Calculated by the global economic consulting firm IHS Global Insight, this figure translates into about $300 million per day, or $12.5 million per hour of government closure. While the nation scrambles to find an answer to the chaos atop Capitol Hill, American college students, including those on Mount Oread, remain mostly oblivious to the real-world implications of the recent government shutdown, instead preferring to ask the question, "Why does it matter?"
"The scenario that would affect students and everybody would be if the United States defaults on its debt," said Bob Antonio professor in the sociology department. "Its bonds are a major source of investment for other nations, and if there's a loss of confidence in the United States, the ripple effects could be massive."
"Personally, it doesn't matter to me," said Kayla Finks, a junior from Fresno, Calif. "I don't pay attention to politics that much. I just don't feel like it affects me."
Finks isn't the only student that feels unaffected by the shutdown. "I don't know much about the government shutdown," said Austin Biggers, a freshman from Denver. "I know it's a big deal, but I don't know really why it happened. I casually watch news about politics on the news, but I'm not really that involved."
Despite what many students think about the government, there are real consequences for students and average Americans.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, which investigates cases of prejudice, sexual assault, racism and inequality on college campuses across the nation, has closed its doors. Federal funding of graduate and doctoral research programs have been suspended, causing many students, teachers and researchers to discontinue research temporarily, many being barred from their research facilities altogether. This
has been further complicated by the passing of the Oct. 3 deadline for research funding, which many programs will now be unable to apply for because of the shutdown.
Perhaps the greatest impact on students will be their inability to apply for student loans from the government, which would typically affect about 14 million students across the country if it were not for the majority of students already being in school for the semester. However, if students are looking to get a loan from the government for the spring semester, they may have to wait a little longer.
Waterville. "Our grocery stores are all closed down. The only thing that is open is the army hospital and the pharmacy, which has very restricted hours, making it hard for my family to get what we usually take for granted. We can't any of our benefits, which is hard for people who are used to having them."
Unfortunately, the impact of the government shutdown will most likely do little to spark students' interest in government and politics in the United States and around the world.
Military programs across the country have also been hit, causing institutions like West Point to furlough nearly 1,500 staff members and 132 faculty members who were all government employees. Students coming from military families are also affected, as government benefits for military families have temporarily been suspended.
"Historically, students and young people have been the least politically active group in the United States," said Burdett Loomis, professor of political science atthe University. "Students don't vote, they don't talk about politics at all. When something like student loans get taken away, Pell Grants get cancelled or delayed, then they care, but right now, they couldn't care less."
Thankfully, many see students disinterest in government as a temporary issue.
"My dad is in the military, so when we go to the military base, everything is shut down," said Kristen Hays, a junior from
"We need to cultivate citizenship
and a sense of citizenship," Antonio said. "Cultivating citizenship is so important. Cultivating a sense of community forms public opinion and establishes an environment for us to come together in groups."
If anything, the government shutdown could act as a springboard for young voters to get interested in the political sphere. "Events are far more important than anything people can do," said Loomis. "Sometimes it's personalities and events — policies like gay rights, civil rights and the growth of religious groups in politics are what bring people into politics."
Whatever the outcome of the shutdown, the impact on students will not likely change anytime soon. "I'm optimistic about people entering politics and getting interested in politics over time," said Loomis. "I'm pessimistic to change in students' views of politics while they're young."
Edited by Emma McElhaney
Students on the street: Have you been keeping up with news about the government shutdown?
"Yeah, I've just been reading some reports from the internet. I wouldn't say I'd go out of my way to keep up with it."
BOB ALLDRITT,
Freshman from Wichita
Fall break is right around the corner! Did you know that the University has only had a fall break
since 2001? Before that year, students had to make it all the way to Thanksgiving for their fall break.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office book recap.
- A 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday on the 2300 block of Crestline on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. No bond was posted.
- A 23-year-old man was arrested Monday on the 2300 block of Iowa Street on suspicion of criminal possession of a firearm, distribution of drug paraphernalia, distribution of a controlled substance, and obstruction of legal process. A $24,500 bond was posted.
- A 31-year-old man was arrested yesterday on the 3000 block of 30th Street on suspicion of criminal damage to property and criminal threat. A $1,000 bond was posted.
- A 61-year-old woman was arrested yesterday on the 3100 block of Iowa Street on suspicion of theft of property. A $1,500 bond was posted.
- A 22-year-old woman was arrested Monday on the 1500 block of 9th Street on suspicion of domestic battery. No bond was posted.
BECAUSE THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU HAD IN MIND WHEN YOU SAID...
"LYING OUT BY THE POOL."
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