Play talks race issues Page 5
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016
Demons win battle of NSUs Page 8
Volume: 101 Issue: 18
Who will suffer ?
Students discuss impact of potential budget cuts BRIA WILLIAMS
academic performance, leadership potential and athletic performance, in addition to numerous Staff Writer departmental scholarships. Other students, like Hayley Leboeuf a senior he Taylor Opportunity Program (TOPS)— which hospititality, management, and tourism major, do was set to fund around 50,000 Louisiana stunot have the luxury of other scholarships to fall back dents this current academic year — is on the on. For Leboeuf, TOPS is the only scholarship she chopping block this legislative session. receives. She has run out of options when it comes TOPS threatens to become much more competitive to paying for school. and receive less funding, dramatically reducing “I already take out my maximum its number of scholarship recipients. amount in subsidized loans every In response to the budget crisis, NSU year to be able to pay for school,” students share how they would be affected she said. “I cannot afford to pay for by the coming changes. college on my own. Without TOPS, I “I would not be able to live by myself,” would not have been able to attend Without TOPS Morgan Humphries, a junior in the theatre college.” department, said. If TOPS were to suddenly I would not have Senior social work major TJ Gorham, be unavailable, Humphries would not be been able to attend on the other hand, said he would able to pay for rent, forcing her to move hardly be affected if TOPS were back home. college.” eliminated completely. “I don’t want to commute every day “I’m not heavily dependent on [...] because I’m a theatre major, with - Senior Hayley Lebouf TOPS,” Gorham said. “My life rehearsals until 10 p.m.; I wouldn’t get wouldn’t change much.” home until midnight,” Humphries said. Gorham came into college with Freshman theatre major Dwight Robinette over 10 different scholarships and grants. One said it would cause serious strain on his family to scholarship Gorham received was valued at $10,000. continue to fund his education. Gorham was empathetic to students with a different “It would definitely make things harder for my situation, however, who may be greatly impacted by family and I,” Robinette said. funding cuts. If things go south, Robinette would try to find a job. “You never know what financial burdens others But, with a schedule packed with rehearsals every may have,” he said. With one semester left in his day, working may be impossible. Robinette does undergraduate college career, student loans would have family support, however. be a last resort if he was in sudden financial distress. Though they admit not receiving TOPS funding His parents would come to his aid if necessary. would make life much more difficult, both Humphries If the state government does not make immediate and Robinette receive theater scholarships provided and effective decisions about the budget, some not by the state but by the university, which is students may have to reconsider if getting a college becoming more and more self-funded. degree is an attainable goal at all, while others will Humphries also receives the outstanding student stay afloat with help from parents and from NSU’s award and academic excellence scholarships, while many privately funded scholarships. Robinette receives a Natchitoches City Housing Students may contact state legislators through Scholarship. “NSU does give a lot,” Humphries said. The the following link: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ university offers a host of scholarships rewarding FindMyLegislators.aspx
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Walking down The Purple Line, senator and president of Alpha Phi Alpha, TJ Gorham, looks for inspiration to help students and improve NSU. Photo by Steven Sheerin