The DA 09-03-2015

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”

da

Thursday September 3, 2015

Volume 128, Issue 13

www.THEDAONLINE.com

student government

Board falls short of passing budget by lauren caccamo staff writer @dailyathenaeum

A long overdue budget proposal was met with skepticism Wednesday night after West Virginia University’s student body president, vice president and Board of Finance members presented their proposal to the Student Government Association’s Board of Governors. The proposed budget— one that has been in the

works since mid-June—included some increases in expenses that had some BOG members raising their eyebrows. The proposed budget included SGA stipends, grants for student organizations, funds to host elections and public relations. While Student Body President George Capel and the Board of Finance thought the BOG would approve the budget, Governors Samuel Richardson and Blake Humphrey mo-

tioned against the vote. “I just saw this budget 30 minutes ago for the first time,” Richardson said as he addressed the Board. “I’m not comfortable voting on a whole year’s policy.” Richardson was unsure if SGA needs to allocate more funds to elections and public relations. The proposed budget allocates $20,000 to elections, a $2,000 increase from last year. Richardson and Humphrey want to go

Commission questions possible federal loan rule by jake jarvis city editor @newsroomjake

A new rule proposed by the Department of Education would limit the amount of federal student loans someone can receive to attend a forprofit college. The Monongalia County Commission signed a letter Wednesday morning urging Congress to support passing bills which would delay the rule taking effect until it has a chance to conduct a set of public hearings on the matter. “One of our inefficiencies in the state is having an inadequate workforce,” said Mike Callen. “This will impact the mid-level jobs. If you look at higher education, there are community colleges, but that’s about it when it comes to training for mid-level jobs.” Callen, a lawyer for West Virginia Association of Independent Colleges & Universities, presented the letter to the Commission as part of a nationwide effort of forprofit institutions to delay the federal Department of Education from enacting a rule. Commissioner Eldon Callen asked his fellow commissioners in the meeting to sign the letter since he feels one of the chief roles of government is to ensure economic development for the people. “We’re all concerned about the level of student debt and the federal (education) department has indicated they’ve got serious concerns,” Callen said after the meeting. “They’ve passed some

through the budget item by item. Capel reiterated that it’s the Board’s discretion as to whether or not it passes the budget in its entirety. He urged members to at least approve the amount of grant money relating to grants for student organizations. “I don’t see any reason why student organization grants should be controversial,” he said. “Our main duty is to the student organizations, anyway.”

Capel felt SGA has the responsibility to pass that portion of the budget because student organizations are already in fullswing and will probably come to the SGA’s next meeting Wednesday requesting grant money. The BOG voted 10-5 to pass that portion of the budget —$80,000—and tabled the rest of the budget until next week’s meeting. The proposed budget initially delegated $110,000 to grants for stu-

dent organizations, since other schools in the Big 12 work with similar sixfigure budgets. Capel said he really wanted the extra funds to be put toward student organizations so there would be no fear of running out before the school year ends. “I think it’s been unfair that, come toward the end of the year, we become more conservative with our funds to make sure we

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THE CARETAKER

rules to try and address them, but they’re pretty controversial.” Callen is referring to a set of “gainful employment” rules. Collectively, the rules attempt to prevent for-profit colleges— which receives most of their revenue from federal student loans—from being able to accept federal loans if it would mean students would be left with too much debt and too little chance of landing a well-paying job. The Department of Education previously tried to implement these rules in 2012, but a federal judge in Washington struck them down. “They established an arbitrary limit based on projected incomes,” Callen said, “but there’s really no statistical support for what they’ve done.” If this version of the rule is implemented, which Callen said is strikingly similar, students hoping to attend one of about a dozen for-profit colleges in West Virginia would have trouble getting enough loans to attend if the DOE determines the student would have an excessive amount of debt after graduating. But the proposed rules won’t apply to public institutions like West Virginia University. Still, West Virginia had the third-highest default rate for federal student loans and 18.2 percent of students who began repaying their loans, in the 2010-11 fiscal year defaulted, according to a report from the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Congress might want

Emily Zadjura maintains a busy work schedule along with taking care of her dogs, cats and accomidating school work.

Askar Salikhov/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

West Virginia student finds, rescues more than 100 animals by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum

Emily Zadjura has already given a home to more than 100 abandoned and neglected animals, and she’s determined to rescue more. Right now, 13 animals—three dogs and 10 cats—live in her home. “Finding (the animals) a new home is so motivating,” Zadjura, a West Virginia University senior, said. “I can’t save everything, but I can at least try.” But she faces dark odds. About 7.6 million pets enter shelters nationwide each year, but only about 2.7 million are adopted, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ASPCA estimates that 31 percent of all dogs and 41 percent of all cats that enter a shelter are later euthanized. With rainbow colored hair and a beaming smile, Zadjura’s love for animals is just as big as her personality. She describes herself as incredibly optimistic, outgoing and someone who wants to make a difference. She first started taking in these animals at 18. Zadjura not only provides a foster animal’s basic needs like food and shelter, but she makes sure all medical needs the animal may have are treated as soon as possible. She makes sure each animal is up to date on its vaccinations and is neutered or spayed. “My dad was president of a medical school,” she said.

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Askar Salikhov/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Swanson, a domestic shorthair cat, rests on top of the couch. “He made their motto, ‘Learning to care for those in harm’s way,’ and he raised me with that principle always in mind.” Zadjura’s friends look up to her and some of them, like Jade Williamson, end up adopting some of the animals she takes in. “I think this is an amazing thing Emily is doing,” Williamson said. Yeah, people love animals, but not all (people) have this kind of love.” Zadjura is a full-time student studying women and gen-

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WVU libraries use football coaches to raise funds for campaign by robert lee Staff Writer @dailyathenaeum

Showing support toward West Virginia University’s football team can have a powerful impact on the University community, but it can also benefit WVU Libraries. The Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge is a fundraising campaign benefiting University libraries through a partnership between WVU’S Department of Intercolle-

giate Athletics and WVU Libraries. It works by allowing participants to pledge money for every touchdown the Mountaineers score during the 2015 season. If someone pledges $1 and the Mountaineers score 60 touchdowns, then at the end of the season $60, will be donated to the libraries. In its fifth year now, the Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge has raised nearly $23,000 in

87°/66°

MOUNDS OF LOVE

INSIDE

Ecosexual film premieres on campus A&E PAGE 3

PM THUNDERSTORMS

News: 1, 2 Opinion: 4 A&E: 3, 5 Sports: 7, 8, 10 Campus Calendar: 6 Puzzles: 6 Classifieds: 9

donations, said Cindy Liberatore, director of development. It’s a fundraiser meant to support the football team, but Myra Lowe, the associate dean of Universtiy libraries believes it also benefits every student on campus. According to Liberatore, the money raised each year varies, but usually ranges between $5,000 and $7,000 per season. All of the proceeds so far have gone to renovat-

ing the presentation practice room on the first floor of the Downtown Library, Liberatore said. “It was a huge improvement for our students because it gives them the opportunity to look at themselves, review their presentation and try to improve it,” Liberatore said. “Faculty were also really excited about that.” The presentation practice room, using the Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge proceeds, has been

equipped with a ‘one button studio’, including digital cameras, a computer, editing software and can take up to five thumb drives. “Students spend a lot of time in the presentation room preparing business pitches,” said Genifer Snipes, business and economics librarian. “It’s something that’s really hard to practice in a room or dorm, so having a place complete with the necessary equipment is beneficial toward students’ aca-

THE DA’s HIRING WRITERS Inquire about paid positions at The Daily Athenaeum at DA-editor@mail.wvu.edu or pick up an application at our office at 284 Prospect St.

CONTACT US Newsroom 304-293-5092 or DAnewsroom@mail.wvu.edu Advertising 304-293-4141 or DA-Ads@mail.wvu.edu Classifieds 304-293-4141 or DA-Classifieds@mail.wvu.edu Fax 304-293-6857

Sat., SEPTEMBER 12, 2015, 12-5 PM

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Marvel’s decision could either help or hurt profits OPINION PAGE 4

demic success.” “Sometimes it’s like a clown car, the number of students that come in and out of the presentation room is amazing, so it’s used very heavily,” Snipes said. The proceeds from the 2014 season have supported cutting edge software that streamlines the recording and editing process, according to the Mountaineer Touchdown Challenge press

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UNIQUE CHALLENGE WVU defense faces tough task Saturday SPORTS PAGE 7


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