Volume 125 Issue 2
kansan.com
Monday, August 20, 2012
OLYMPIC DREAMS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
FINANCE
PAGE 49
Credit cards can cause some confusion
VICTORIA PITCHER
editor@kansan.com
Two years ago Meagan Patryzkont, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., got her first, and only credit card to buy a MacBook, because her previous computer crashed.
"The thought of a credit card scared me." Patryzkont said.
Many students, however, are not as responsible with credit
cards. Leticia Gradington, program director for student money management services located on the third floor of the Kansas Union, said most freshman students come into college with two or three credit cards already.
Calvin Froggate, a senior peer educator for student money management, said students don't know how to manage debt, and credit card companies know they can make money off of them.
"They are easy targets, because they want free shirts and free sunglasses to get cards," Froggate said.
Patryzkont was offered no interest for a year and the minimum payments were only $15 per month, what Patryzkont said was doable for her. Patryzkont said she always pays more than the minimum, which is why she is almost done paying the credit card off. The laptop was the only charge she has put on the card since she opened it.
In 2010, new credit card laws went into effect that made credit card companies unable to flood campuses handing out credit cards to students. Graddington said it's good to establish credit while in college, but that students need to use it wisely.
to myself that I can pay this thing off, I'm not going to swipe that card," Patryzkont said.
"You have to understand what a
"Until I pay it off, until I prove
credit card is," Gradington said.
Gradington said students need to understand what they are signing up for and have a plan on how to pay it off. Student money management services offer credit debt counseling for students. Services are free for students and are confidential.
—Edited by Megan Hinman
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Credit cards are sometimes intimidating to students and attract an negative image. In 2010 a new law went into effect where credit card companies could not hand out cards to students on campuses.
ODD NEWS
Obama may have link to first slaves in U.S.
SALT LAKE CITY — A team of genealogists has found evidence that President Barack Obama could be a descendant of an African slave but not through the lineage of his black father, the most likely route researchers had followed and exhausted.
The link, genealogists with Ancestry.com said Monday, is, in fact, through an examination of his white mother's family history.
"We were surprised and excited to make that connection," said Joseph
Obama's father was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas. It had been generally assumed that the president had no slave ancestors because researchers couldn't find it through the lineage of his father. However, no one had yet performed any exhaustive research into the lineage of his white mother, who turns out to have a mixed-raced family history.
Shumway of Ancestry.com.
Ancestry.com now said the maternal line traces back to one of the first documented African slaves in the U.S.
Associated Press
nd ents
BRYANT/KANSAN
joining Hawks Nest
sas union.
ther incoming a memorable the University. several orga-SUA and the experience. students are in and SUA and Vitsky, special SUA said. attinues until weekend events Saturday, an can attend to nunity as well religious orga-ay.
drew Ruszczyk
ence with neighbors can be a challenge, especially between University of Kansas students and permanent Lawrence residents.
The Good Neighbor program, created in unison by the University and the city, aims to strengthen relations between students and residents by providing students with information about good citizenship.
The initiative kicked off Thursday with about a hundred volunteers from six fraternities canvassing the Oread neighborhood with welcome bags. Volunteers, paired with city representatives, placed 2,000 bags on doorsteps with city ordinance information ranging from bike parking and house party protocol.
"A big part of going to school is learning how to live on your own," said Joe Monaco, a spokesperson for the event. "We are providing just some basic information about how
"This is the first in a set of many steps," said Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University and a Good Neighbor co-creator. "We are extending an olive branch today, but it does not end here."
policies as their hometowns, Monaco said.
Brad Hess, a freshman from Wichita and Delta Upson Fraternity program volunteer, said he was impressed by the University's initiative.
"People really care more here," Hess said. "It makes me feel good. It just makes me feel safer and it feels nice to be joining that community."
While no immediate events are planned for the future, Monaco said the University will continue the initiative throughout the year
The Good Neighbor program is the first to fortify the University's connection with the city.
ku.edu/gooodneighbor.
*Edited by Inanna Hlavacek*
CLASSIFIEDS 10
CROSSWORD 5
Index
Trying to be more neighborly? Follow the advice of the Good Neighbor program.
-Parties: Notify neighbors before throwing a party. They'll appreciate you cluing them in.
-Parking: Do not park in the yard or in front of fire hydrants or driveways. Doing so can result in a fine.
-Pets: Animals need to be kept on a leash within the city.
-Sidewalks: Sidewalks must be clear of ice or snow during 24 hours.
-Bicycles: Bikes cannot be locked to trees or other non-designated structures.
-Safety: Lock all windows and doors, including your car, and keep electronics and valuables out of view. Call Lawrence police if you see something suspicious.
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 6
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 5
Sarah Glass, a KU journalism school graduate, performs under the name Miss Conception on Friday night for students at the Hawk week Block Party. Miss Conception is the leader of Vibe Tribe KC, a performance company from Kansas City.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Source: Good Neighbor program
NI contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
If you're looking for some extra cash this semester, attend the Part-Time Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kansas Union.
Today's Weather
Sunny skys with west northwest winds
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