91.13

UNION COLLEGE

ISSUE 91.13 | 02/22/2017

Build a budget to help that cash last all month. | PC: Jorrdan Bissell

GIRLS, TRY HARDER: MONEY EDITION T

his is the second article in the “Try Harder” series focusing on different problems and situations facing college students today and what we can do better.

Today, we’re looking at the girls to really buckle down and try harder … with money!

Getting paid only once a month at Union College makes budgeting imperative. On the first of the month, everyone feels “fluuuuush with caaash!” (Parks & Recreation reference, anyone?)

Why not spend $80 at Forever21 or buy fancy coffee every day for a week? But week two or three comes around and you can barely scrounge up the change for a pack of gum.

“You feel like you have an abundance of money in college and you can spend as much as you want … but nope,” says Debbie Pinto, a senior elementary education major.

“Freshmen and sophomores, you might feel like you can just spend, but juniors and seniors, you know the need to budget is REAL.”

Learning how to talk about and handle money needs to start early! Budgeting needs to be a priority. Many females struggle when it comes to online shopping while others start hemorrhaging dollars on Target runs.

A great way to maintain this limit is to have an accountability partner. Maybe your friend or roommate is always commenting on your clothes or purchases and is aware of when you have new things.

Just ask her to keep you accountable when it comes to spending dollars! Or at least ask your peers to stop encouraging you to spend. We’ve all experienced that extra push from our pals when that dress “looks so good on you!”

No more of that.

“I am careless and don't plan,” says Rachel Lozano, a senior business administration student.

“A simple solution is taking the extra minute to see how many times can I [actually] afford to go out in a week.

What's my cap on coffee this week? (said no one ever) And sometimes, do I even have a dollar in my pocket right now?”

[ continued on page 2]

[ W H AT ' S I N S I DE] HUMAN-PIG CHIMERAS | page 03 |

NEBRASKA FLAG | page 04 |

MARCH MADNESS | page 07 |

02

LIFESTYLE

MONEY EDITION [ continued from page 1 ]

ED IT O R I AL S TAF F

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New s Edit o r S te fa ni L eep er Cam p u s N e w s S ean Hend r i x Comm u n it y/ Wo r l d Ne w s Carol i ne G uc hu H OUC/ S e n a t e Au tu mn Mot t F reela n c e Wr it e r s D an i c a Ey l enst ei n M ay l i na G r a ha m LIFES T Y L E

Life s t yle Edit o r R i a C ar r i g er Spe c ia l In t e re s t Ama nd a Mc C ar t e r Cul t u re / R e la t io ns h i p s Kat i e Mor r i son Cul t u re S ara Rob er t s OPI NI O N

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Something to be mindful of is how much time and resources you spend shopping.

Set a monthly limit for yourself, either a time or money limit.

Money can be a huge source of tension.

An article written by NPR writer Chris Arnold, discusses the implications of money in a relationship. “Disagreements about money are one of the most difficult conflicts for people in relationships to resolve. There's little instruction in how to manage our finances with a spouse or partner. And if you do it wrong, it can mess everything up.”(http://www.npr. org/2016/03/08/469239033/how-to-keepmoney-from-messing-up-your-marriage) As Pinto looks forward to postgraduation and managing joint finances with her future husband, Abner Campos, it can be daunting. But there are ways to make that transition manageable! “It’s better for us to know individually how to budget so we can budget better in our marriage,” continues Pinto. “You don’t want to be dependent on one person to solve those problems for the couple. ” “Guys like girls who budget,” says Justin Cook, a junior accounting and finance student. “Or at least I do.”

There are many fun apps to make budgeting a little easier. Mint connects to your bank account and shows you exactly where you’re spending and where you could be saving. Mvelopes is also a great app for tracking spending in real time and its user-friendly interface is fun and pretty. Spendee is another top rated budget app for 2017, with a bright dashboard and both free and premium options.

It might be hard to stop yourself from buying a new jacket or an expensive breakfast at Cultiva but making that decision just comes down to a new mindset.

“It’s all about goals and priorities,” says Jon Rickard, director of student accounts in Student Financial Services. “If you have a goal and it’s more important to you, you’ll focus your resources to meeting that objective. It’s all about goal setting.”

Katie Morrison is a senior studying business administration.

NEWS

03

HUMAN-PIG CHIMERAS CREATED, SPARKS HOPE AND DEBATE On Jan. 26, 2017 Jun Wu, professor in biological chemistry at University of Michigan, and his researchers published a paper entitled “Interspecies Chimerism with Mammalian Pluripotent Stem Cells” about a new creature he created. Wu planted human stem cells into a pig embryo.

Those human cells survived. Hence, a chimera.

However, the human stem cells were quite dispersed throughout the tissue.

About 1 in every 100,000, reported Wu.

Now, jump a day before to Jan. 25 and we find Tomoyuki Yamaguchi and his researchers published their own paper. Yamaguchi’s research was groundbreaking in that he was able to grow mice organs in rats. It doesn’t end there, though.

First, they had the rats grow pancreases using stem cells from the mice. Then, they induced diabetes in the mice (poor mice). Finally, they transplanted the rat’s pancreas, which was actually made of mouse cells, into the mouse and the mouse was effectively cured of its diabetes.

They cured diabetes! (at least in mice) Why do these articles have the scientific community buzzing?

Yamaguchi established that it’s possible to grow and transplant organs between different species. Wu discovered human stem cells can, in fact, survive in pig embryos.

Put the two together and suddenly ordering organs, from a pig, on Craigslist is plausible. Potentially, no more waiting lists for organs.

At this point you may be wondering, “Sean, I understand scientists would use rats and mice

because they’re genetically similar. But why on earth are scientists trying to fuse pigs with humans?” I hear you.

Dr. Corraine McNeill, a biology professor, explained, “Scientists have already done experiments using pigs. A lot is understood about the physiology and how everything works in pigs. It isn’t uncommon to use pig parts in humans. Pig heart valves are being used to replace human heart valves.

Also, pig organs are similar in size to humans.”

“

Human stem cells can, in fact, survive in pig embryos.

“

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How exactly does one accomplish growing organs anyway?

Dr. McNeill continued, “What they do is use a machine called Crispr. Basically, what it does is delete certain genes in the DNA so the physical structures they code for can no longer be read.

For example, in the rat and mouse experiment they used Crispr to delete the genes that coded for a pancreas which would cause the rat embryo to develop without a pancreas. This would prove a problem if the embryo were left to continue developing. Which is why the stem cells of the mouse were inserted to play that role of creating a pancreas for the rat.”

Dr. McNeill informed me the process would be similar to further experiments with pigs and humans where, for example, a pig embryo wouldn’t naturally develop a heart, but as soon as human stem cells are introduced, heart development begins.

The benefits of investing in such a project are inherent. However, do they outweigh the costs? Are they ethical?

Religion and ethics professor Dr. Ben Holdsworth explained both sides of the spectrum.

Dr. Holdsworth said, “There are a number of folks who argue in favor of such type of experiments. Their primary support for pursuing this line of research is that it may be possible to take stem cells of a human in need of an organ and introduce these stem cells into a pig embryo to develop an organ.

Then they would harvest the organ and transplant it to the human.

“This will minimize organ rejection by the human body and possibly reduce healing time after surgery. It will lower the overall cost of organ transplants over time and increase the availability of organs to those who might need it.”

He continued to explain the reason some people are against the pursuit of this line of research is because animals have rights. Certain animals have personhood, and using them for these experiments violates those rights.

Dr. Holdsworth also offered a Biblical perspective. “God created human and animals separately, and because they were created separately to co-mingle the different kinds would be seen as a violation of divine order.”

Whatever stance one may take, wonder remains. What does the future hold for medical advancements? What I do know now is that as knowledge increases so will our responsibility to use it justly.

Disclaimer: Dr. Holdsworth does not necessarily claim any of the above views as his own, and provided them for perspective only.

Sean Hendrix is a senior studying biomedical science.

04

NEWS

NEBRASKA FLAG FLIES UPSIDE DOWN, GOES UNNOTICED F

or an entire week, Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, Nebraska’s state flag flew upside down at the state capitol building.

Yet, many seemed not to notice.

steamboat in the Missouri River. Also pictured is a train heading toward the Rocky Mountains, a blacksmith with a hammer and anvil, a settler’s cabin, and sheaves of wheat. The state motto, “Equality Before the Law,” is at the top of the Nebraska banner.

To see if a few students could recognize the state flag, I took a poll around campus on Friday, Feb. 3. I came to the conclusion that a majority sample size (96 out of the 135 students) think Nebraska’s state flag is the one associated with the University of Nebraska’s flag, which is a big red ‘N’ on a white background. (a.k.a Cornhuskers)

Because of the original incident where the flag flew in the wrong direction unnoticed for quite sometime, Senator Burke Harr is now campaigning for a redesign to the banner.

“I honestly have no idea what the real flag looks like, and I personally don’t care,” comments junior theology major and North Carolina native Julius Ellis.

“In my defense, I’m not from here.”

In case you’re now wondering what it looks like, the actual state flag is navy blue with a golden seal of a

Senator Harr is one of the 49 senators in our state and he represents the eighth district, located in Omaha.

“The seal we have now was designed over 150 years ago. It was fitting for its time back then, but the question now is whether or not it’s symbolic now,” comments Harr.

According to a survey done by the North American Vexillological Association, a group that studies flags, Nebraska was ranked in the bottom five, while website Thrillist ranked it

Look at our writers meeting senators. #goals PC: Aldwyn Montaque

Wait, it's not a red N? | PC: Aldwyn Montaque

49 of the 50 states, just barely ahead of Maryland which can be found on their website here. Students and critics both agree the seal is hard to read and that the overall design is similar to numerous state flags that also have blue backgrounds.

“What we are forming is a task force to consider changing the design we currently have, then maybe opening up a competition for a redesign. After that we’ll have a report by next December and then introduce a bill to officially change it,” explains Harr. “The problem we have is when people try to think of Nebraska they automatically think of the big red ‘N’ and that's what we're trying to fix.”

Even though not everyone may agree with the idea of changing something that’s been around for years, the main goal is to develop a new flag that garners respect and instant recognition. As Harr states, if we’re able to change our license plates every few years, why not the flag as well?

Caroline Guchu is a sophomore studying communication.

LIFESTYLE

05

Small talk can be a big deal when done correctly| PC: Zach Morrison

THE TROUBLE WITH SMALL TALK I

magine all the people you come into contact with during the week— your family, friends and acquaintances.

With each group comes different conversations, all lighthearted.

It’s incredibly easy to fall into the rut of small talk. It keeps things safe and simple, but doesn't allow for much growth or change. Ashley Bower, a freshman English language arts education major, describes it as a “necessary evil.”

“It has to happen, but no one wants it to happen,” she explained.

Senior international rescue and relief major, Alex Leonor, added, “It’s good to create camaraderie [with small talk].” He described small talk as having a place in all types of relationships, but the composition is what varies.

Like everything in life, small talk has its time and place. It eases the awkwardness lingering in the air when meeting new people and provides a preferred alternative to silence. By all means, small talk is wonderful in short

doses, but turns rather dull in the long term.

It seems fairly certain few people actually enjoy discussing trivial topics for the sake of filling up silence.

However, something needs to be said.

Thankfully, it’s not impossible to have meaningful conversation without having a close relationship with someone. Shana Lebowitz’s article, “9 Ways to Skip the Shallow Small Talk and Have Deep Conversations,” in Business Insider compiled the following nine steps to help others have more meaningful conversations: 1. Have some “deep” conversation starters on hand.

2. Ask questions about topics the other person is interested in.

3. Find out what makes the other person special.

4. Avoid discussing the weather.

5. Assume the other person has deep thoughts.

6. Don’t push people to see your perspective.

7. Reveal something slightly personal.

8. Talk about something specific you’re working on.

9. Ask for stories, not answers.

The advice appears relatively simple, but still allows more substinance to a conversation than matters such as the weather or an opinion on a homework assignment.

It’s unreasonable to expect someone to open up right away or to have an immediate connection with them, but this can open the doorway to unexpected discussions and relationships.

Life is too short to have meaningless conversations that neither person truly cares about. Taking the same amount of time to better know the people you interact with can have surprisingly pleasant outcomes.

You never know how much of an impact two people can have in each other’s lives unless one first makes the effort, even by beginning with small talk.

Amanda McCarter is a sophomore studying biomedical science.

OPINION

06

A WELL-INFORMED POPULACE EMOTION IS THE DEATH OF REASON t’s probably fair to say that the average American has nothing more than a passing interest in politics.

Most Americans care enough to formulate an opinion on bits of information that make their way into the public sphere--but that’s about it. As a general rule, most people don’t seek out new information, let alone cross-reference the information they receive for validity.

This tends to be a problem.

You’ve probably heard the famous Jefferson adage, "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." But what does that look like, today, in 2017?

It can manifest itself in a variety of ways.

There can be flat out lies.

An example of this includes the lie that Vice President Mike Pence once supported the use of public funds for conversion therapy of homosexuals.

In actuality, in 2000, while running for Congress, he wrote that Congress should divert funding to institutions that seek to help individuals “change their sexual behavior”. Of course, this statement refers to sexual behavior, not sexual orientation or identity.

Another recent example is the accusation that Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s nominee to fill Justice Scalia’s seat on the Supreme Court, founded and led a “Fascism Forever” club in high school. This claim conveniently fits the President’s critics’ fascism narrative, however, inconveniently, it’s also horribly and factually inaccurate.

Dishonest information is unfortunately more often difficult to identify than the two examples

cited above. In fact, it usually isn’t a blatant lie.

attempt to totally defund Planned Parenthood.

Usually, it manifests itself in the mischaracterization of sensitive and difficult issues.

This action has been met with widespread negativity. I’ve seen numerous individuals criticising the administration, not for trying to limit federal funding for abortion, but for trying to deny women their healthcare needs.

Like most political problems, this tends to be a problem that reaches across the political spectrum. In other words, both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of misrepresenting issues.

“

Federal Community Health Centers already outnumber Planned Parenthoods at a rate of 20 to 1.

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I

For Republicans, this could be accusing someone who is pro-choice of wanting to murder small children.

Of course, this is untrue and a misrepresentation of the real issue at hand.

Or, maybe it’s the way that some conservatives characterize the marijuana debate, citing morality concerns while failing to realize the practicality of the plant as a medicinal drug, for example. Or just maybe, it’s insisting that our first black president wasn’t actually born in the United States despite no basis on which to ground such an argument.

However, this issue has been demonstrated no more clearly than in the backlash to the President’s signing of executive orders reinstating the Mexico City rule. This executive order, coupled with the statements of Republican leadership, has led many to worry that the administration will

Really?

I take it those individuals don’t know that the GOP’s plan is to divert funding from Planned Parenthood to Federal Community Health Centers, institutions that provide the same services as Planned Parenthood with the exception of abortion.

I take it they also are unaware of the fact that Federal Community Health Centers already outnumber Planned Parenthoods at a rate of 20 to 1.

Yes, really.

But, of course, it’s much easier to win an argument if you mischaracterize your opponent’s point of view, and with a population of nearly 320 million people, unverified information can spread quickly and freely.

This is the type of malicious distortion of sensitive topics that must be removed from the public sphere if we’re ever going to make any real progress. We shouldn’t be dragging our feet in the mud by trying to win petty political fights, especially on important issues like women’s healthcare.

It’s time to get serious about our political discussions by educating ourselves and refusing to take everything we hear at face value.

Jonathan Deemer is a sophomore studying biomedical science.

OPINION

07

HOOPS, ANYONE? YOU HEARD IT HERE LAST I

used to be indifferent to March Madness.

I dismissed the level of play as inferior to the NBA. I watched as superior teams fell victim to a bad night in the single elimination format.

I laughed as people picked their brackets meticulously, thinking they could beat the odds that some estimate to be over one in 9.2 quintillion.

Every year there are four regions, each with sixteen teams seeded 1-16.

In the span of seven years, I watched as six of the one seeds won it all. I watched as those same few teams recruited and built teams of players who would likely only stay a year before moving on. And I hated it.

But in 2014, something changed. A seven and an eight seed made the final four. They managed to knock off a one and a two seed in their semifinal games. They each also managed to pull off four consecutive upsets (by beating teams seeded higher than they were) en route to the championship game.

This game was set up to leave a statistical imprint. No winner since 1988 had been any worse than a three seed.

This year though, it was guaranteed that the winner would be at best a seven seed. The whole tournament had been chaotic and exciting, and the final was set up to be an instant classic.

Additionally, something else changed in 2014; my dad and I printed off some brackets and bet a trip to Taco Bell on who picked the best one.

Now a trip to Taco Bell may not seem like a life-changing wager (which I did manage to win), but the time spent with my dad debating which underdogs had a chance, picking our brackets and watching games with him, was priceless.

So, naturally, we did the same thing for the 2015 tournament. Which, though it wasn’t the most exciting tournament in history still had its upsets, spectacular plays and incredible moments.

And like the year before, it gave my dad and I an excuse to hang out every night in front of the T.V.

hit a three of their own. I found myself jumping up and down in my dorm room and immediately called my dad.

It was an unbelievable game, and an unbelievable tournament.

I've started looking at this year.

While I'm sure my picks will be all wrong again, I'm excited to hopefully watch another eventful tournament.

More than that, I'm excited to spend time watching the tournament with my dad during spring break.

March Madness is anything but mundane. The athletes give everything they have, every single night. The single elimination format lends itself to exciting upsets and high-intensity games.

March Madness is awesome.

Whether or not you care about college basketball, or even sports in general, I would highly encourage you to fill out a bracket and watch some of the tournament this year. No team has a true edge, and there are sure to be a plethora of exciting moments.

March Madness begins March 14 | PC: allrookie.com

You might even win some Taco Bell along the way.

The 2016 tournament was one of the wildest in recent history. A two seed lost to a fifteen seed. The midwest region saw six underdogs win in eight games during the first round. There were numerous close games and a handful of crazy buzzer beaters.

Down three points in the championship game, North Carolina hit an incredible double-clutched three-pointer for the tie with only five seconds on the clock.

Villanova proceeded to dribble the length of the floor and, as time expired,

Tyler Dean is a junior studying business administration.

8

THE MISC CORNER

#WEEKRECAP

HOUC

Humans of Union College

HOUC is compiled by Autumn Mott.

“I

“ had a plan. I wanted to play soccer, do gymnastics, and do karate/taekwondo. But in this order: do gymnastics, so I could get flexible and be able to do back flips; do karate, because then I would know how to kick things; and then soccer, so I could score all the bicycle goals. I’ve actually done them all, to some extent.”

Daniel Ikpeama is a senior studying music performance Pictures By: Sharon Curran & Marketing Communication

SUDOKU http://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku_puzzles/sudoku_medium_267.html

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Last Issue's Sudoku Answer:

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The Clocktower, established in 1927 and sponsored by the Associated Student Body of Union College, is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters.

The opinions expressed are the opinions of the writers and are not to be construed as the opinion of the editors, Associated Student Body, Union College, or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.