a B ck to o h S c ol
GUIDE fall 2006
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Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide
What’s Inside? 03 HEALTH: The Freshman 15 It’s not just an urban legend 04 MONEY: Back-to-school spending 05 Student money advice LIFE: Dormroom decorating 06 COLUMN: College life COLUMN: Greeks 08 HEALTH: Backpacks and your back
Greek Guide Introspect
Monday, August 28
Did you know...
Your Titan Card functions as your student ID, your library card and a campus debit card. Where to get it: The TitanCard office located in the south wing of Pollak Library. HOW TO GET IT: Once in the TitanCard office, you fill out an application and present a picture ID. Acceptable forms of identification are a driver’s license, a passport or a state identification card. BUT HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?: A TitanCard will be issued to you within 60 seconds of your picture being taken. But make sure you follow all picture guidelines. If you want to do a re-take, you may have to pay the $10 ID card replacement fee. For more info about Titan Card, visit www.fullerton.edu/it/services/Titancard/index.asp.
Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide
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The Freshman 15 Student Health
Studies show that fabled fat is not just a fairy story By Megan Trusty
U-Wire – Rocky Mountain Collegian FORT COLLINS, Colo. – As an incoming Colorado State University freshman, Johanna Armstrong tried her best to prepare for college. The anticipation of a new social life, large campus and hard classes left her anxious for what the next year would be like. But preparing for the notorious “freshman 15” was even harder. This feared statistic – the
number of pounds a typical student supposedly gains during his or her first year at college – often creeps up on unsuspecting freshmen. The smorgasbord of pizza, pasta, fried food and ice cream that congest the dining halls is hard for many freshmen to avoid. “I’d heard a lot of stories about it,” recalled Armstrong, a junior human development and family studies major. “I didn’t think it would be as big of a deal as people made it.” Armstrong fought the pounds by staying conscious of her habits and working out at the gym. She gained about five pounds but lost it over the summer. Armstrong certainly wasn’t alone
in her battle. Studies show students gain an average of five pounds, said Dawn Clifford, a registered dietitian at Hartshorn Health Center. A study by Washington University found approximately 70 percent of students gain weight during their freshman year. “I think the number one reason freshman gain weight their first year is the all-you-can-eat dining atmosphere,” Clifford said. “Freshman are not used to that atmosphere for every meal, so it’s really exciting for them.” The general freedom of college life is new for most freshmen, and they often don’t know how to handle it.
Clifford also attributes freshman weight-gain to alcohol consumption and late-night snacking. “I gained some weight freshman year,” said Kayce Wagner, a graduate student studying leadership in animal sciences. “The cafeteria had ice cream, hamburgers and hot dogs, and they stayed open until midnight. So we’d always just cruise over there for study breaks.” But there are precautions students can take to protect themselves from packing on pounds. For instance, Clifford suggests visualizing portions as if it were a meal at home. “Remind yourself that you have all year to eat at the dining hall
so don’t feel like you have to eat everything at once,” she said. “Eat, hang out and check in with your fullness.” She also recommended taking advantage of the fitness opportunities on campus, such as intramural sports and the Student Recreation Center, or simply walking to class. Of course, students have their own suggestions as well. Lay off the suds, said T.J. Sheahen, a junior construction management major who didn’t gain any weight during his first year. Sheahen knows many people who gained weight during their freshmen year, mostly from drinking. He said: “Beer kills you.”
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Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide
“Oh, no! Billy just spent all his money on a new iPod, Playstation 3 and some games.”
“That’s better, Billy! Saving your funds for the future is always a good thing.”
“Now Billy can graduate withouth debt. Except for that little student loan.”
Student Money
Back-to-School Costs Go Beyond Tuition Study finds students are spending more, especially on electronics By Zach Pluhacek
U-Wire – Daily Nebraskan LINCOLN, Neb. – Things were much different when Glen Schumann, associate director of housing facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, first stepped into the then-newly-constructed Abel Hall as a freshman in 1965. For one, he was able to “survive” with only two pairs of jeans, a suit, four shirts and a rocking chair he brought from home. “I moved out of my car into my room in 15 minutes ... and the reason was, I had to wait on the elevator,” he said. Now, estimates are placing freshman student spending at over $1,100 for “back-to-college” purchases, including dorm furnishings, school supplies, textbooks, clothing and shoes. The fastest growing market of all is electronics, which is expected to see a 27.5 percent increase in revenue compared to last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2006 Back-to-College Consumer Intentions and Actions
Survey. That puts student spending at $10.4 billion nationwide on electronic items alone. “Today’s college students were using computers before they could write, which explains their gravitation toward electronics,” said federation president and CEO Tracy Mullin in a press release Tuesday. “By merchandising and marketing to the college crowd, retailers are hoping to not only boost this year’s sales but also gain customers for life.” Federation officials attribute this increase to the number of small electronic devices and specialty items being purchased by students, including iPods, notebook computers, flatscreen TVs and gaming systems. “When I moved into Abel Hall, there wasn’t a television set anywhere in the complex,” Schumann said. “Last year I saw two gentlemen at Abel Hall bring in a 52-inch TV, and that, to me, is the most lavish thing I’ve seen,” he continued. “They are bringing in large TVs, larger TVs than ever before ... it’s amazing to me the amount of electronic things they will bring in.” In addition to electronic items, student spending on textbooks, clothing and accessories, and
dorm or apartment furnishings are expected to push back-to-college numbers to a total of $36.6 billion. The seasonal retail boost is more than just a bounce: The combined $54.2 billion expected in back-toschool and back-to-college spending is so much, it ranks second only to holiday spending, according to the NRF survey. That could be a concern to incoming freshmen and younger students who are, for the first time, being sent credit card offers and experiencing true financial freedom. Debra Schroeder, an extension educator at UNL’s Northeast Research and Extension Center, is co-developer of Preventing Credit Card Blues at 22, a university extension program that shows high school seniors how to manage credit card debt. She said unplanned, nonessential spending could cause the greatest trouble with college students, especially when such purchases are made using a credit card. Because of that, 20 percent of college graduates leave campus with at least $20,000 in credit card debt. “Purchasing, on credit, expendable items ... must mean that SEE COSTS - PAGE 7
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Campus Lifestyle
Dormroom Decorations Can Save a Latte, Keep Homesickness at Bay
student Money
Save a Lot Small expenditures could add up to big bucks in the long run By Brian Schraum
U-Wire – Daily Evergreen PULLMAN, Wash. – Do students really need that $3 latte every morning? Accounting professors at Washington State University Charlie Bame-Aldred and Sue Gill don’t think so. Bame-Aldred, who gave a presentation to WSU students on money management Thursday in the Center for Undergraduate Education, said “spending leaks” like the morning mocha are costing students more than they realize. “If you came at the beginning of the month and said, ‘I’d like to spend $90 and pre-pay for my lattes,’ you probably wouldn’t do it,” he said. That works out to over $1,000 each year for coffee alone. Little things, Bame-Aldred said, can add up in a hurry for students, and keeping track of purchases is just one part of being smart with money.
Needs versus wants Bame-Aldred advised students to evaluate things they want to buy, and if they really need things now or if they can wait until later. Big purchases like iPods, Spring Break trips, TVs and leather chairs may be nice, but they probably shouldn’t be on the list of must-haves. Books, laptops and a chair from Goodwill are more realistic. For the things students really want, invest and buy later. BameAldred said that if students take the $1,000 each year they would spend on lattes and instead put it in the bank, they could end up with more than $200,000 by the time they’re ready to retire. “That’s the power of investing,” he said.
“That’s the power of saving a latte a day.”
Set specific goals Bame-Aldred also wants students to set financial goals for things they want. First, goals should be specific. “We don’t want to just say, ‘I’d like to go away somewhere on spring break,’” he said. “Where do you want to go?” Next, find a way to measure exactly how much it’s going to cost, Bame-Aldred said. Students should figure out if that amount is attainable and realistic for their current financial situation.
Shred credit card offers Bame-Aldred said there’s no reason to have more than one credit card. Store credit cards, which have notoriously high interest rates, are also bad news, he said. One important rule of using a card: Pay it off. It could take students 10 years to pay a $2,200 credit card balance if they only made the minimum payment. Some people think they have nothing to worry about with a no-interest credit card; Bame-Aldred said that with one missed payment, that rate could be revoked and changed to nearly 25 percent. Students should make sure they can pay off their balances at the end of the month, he said. If not, they shouldn’t charge it. Finally, shop around for the best card. Don’t jump on the by-mail offers that commonly go out to college students, or sign up just to get freebies. “You guys are going to see the little tables all over campus. ‘Hey, free hat. Sign up for a credit card. How about these slick pairs of glasses that’ll break in a day and a half?’” Bame-Aldred said. “Do you SEE SAVING - PAGE 7
Adding some special touches can make a space feel like home By Roshunna Howarda
U-Wire – Arkansas Traveler FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – One of the many things to do on students’ back-to-school list is to decorate their dorm room. Decorating a dorm room can be as simple as buying the bare necessities or as complicated as color coordinating every single detail down to the sticky notes. A person’s dorm room reflects her character just as much as her appearance and personality. Before shopping for things to adorn a room, you should consider a few things: budget, theme and space. How much are you willing to spend? What look are you going for? How much can you make the most with the limited space you are given? Choosing a look or theme for the room might be influenced by the person’s favorite colors, a pattern or print, or it may be focused on their favorite hobby or movie. Choosing colors is very important. Don’t be afraid to have more than one color. A student’s favorite color might be navy blue, for example. Instead of purchasing all navy items for the room they might spruce it up by adding lime green to give a chic contrast to their favorite color. Stores that sell bedding sell comforter sets that include sheets and pillow cases, but more specifically, they sell sets with the college student in mind. These comforter sets are specifically designed to be mixed and matched, making each student dorm look original. The stores even offer throw pillows, rugs, curtains, lamps, etc. to match the comforter sets. Dorm walls are like a blank canvas, ready to be filled with any and everything that expresses the student’s creativity. Bare walls can be spruced up with photos, calendars, wall clocks,
posters and other important papers. Photos of friends and family are a great, cheap way to adorn your room, but they can also help cure a homesick student. Calendars can be used to jot down important dates such as tests, parties, meetings, holidays, etc. A great website to get posters is allposters.com. This Web site offers over 300,000 posters that appeal to almost any taste and interest. The
university alsohosts a poster sale during the beginning of the school year. Desk accessories are usually a necessity, but can also serve as decoration. Pencil holders, book ends, desk lamps, thumb tacks, picture frames, alarm clocks, and electric pencil sharpeners are all
SEE DECORATING - PAGE 7
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Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide
Commentary
College Life Welcome Reprieve From Summer’s Dog Days By Ben Alexander
U-Wire – University Daily Kansan LAWRENCE, Kan. – My grandma, who of course came to “help me move in,” said it was just like my first day of kindergarten. Well, college hasn’t made me cry yet, and chicken pox is already out of the way, but we’ll see. Maybe she meant that I came to college in a minivan. I needed the space of the family mini for all the wonderful college-y things that I’d been conned into buying, not to
mention the six people who came to Lawrence, Kan., with me to offer moral support. They were in the support car. This is not the beginning of the story, however. The beginning was sometime in my sophomore year of high school, when the guidance counselor came to give us a speech about college. Well, that and the ritual threats from my teachers: “You won’t be able to get away with this in college!” Since then I have probably spent more than $100 on study books and
thousands more on transfer credits and various standardized tests, all with one purpose in mind: to soften the eventual blow of the dreaded “college.” After spending three years frantically taking tests, making resumes and writing essays, I took the time to relax a little bit and congratulate myself. A few minutes later, I got a mailing about another obstacle to overcome: extra-long beds. I was shocked. Such a thing existed? Fortunately, Target had a handy section, roughly the size of a football field, packed with hopeful college freshmen rushing around in a panic, overwhelmed by the same problems. I got the sheets, gave the study books to my little sister, and now I’m here. College. Sort of. Hawk Week was really more like summer camp than school. For a few days I had my doubts about this whole college thing. Volleyball on Wescoe beach, free food everywhere, crowds of sorority girls chanting to each other, it was all a little too much. But as classes start, the University of Kansas is feeling more and more like old times. Everywhere I look on campus I see someone I know from high school. But that isn’t what really warms my insides and reminds me of old times. That distinction would have to go to that wonderful smell that you can only get by following a bus on a hot day as it kicks up dust and exhaust in your face. The most important thing about coming back to school, though, is the stress. I didn’t know what to do with myself all summer, with nothing to do but work and hang out with friends. With classes starting again, I think I’ll be glad to get back to staying up late writing papers, going to the library right before it closes and dragging myself to class after not sleeping. For all the fuss made about moving in (seven people was a little excessive, and I get sick of hearing about poster sales), it’s not that big of a deal. At least I won’t have to make a colorful collage about myself on the first day of class. Nap time would be nice, though.
Commentary
Debunking Greek Mythology Misconceptions should be evaluated before deciding not to join By Alan Calcaterra
U-Wire – The BG News BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – One of the biggest issues for many incoming freshmen is whether or not to join a fraternity. There are a lot misconceptions and myths about fraternities that are exaggerated from the truth or are completely wrong. I had thought that the same misconceptions and myths about fraternities were true until I actually joined a fraternity and realized that a lot of things I have been told about fraternities were wrong. The question that I’m asked most often is whether we haze our new members. This is the biggest misconception about fraternities and is one of the main reasons why people don’t join a fraternity. The truth is a lot of fraternities did haze years ago, but universities and state governments have long since cracked down on the fraternities who did hazing. People also generalize fraternities by saying if one fraternity hazes then all fraternities must haze. The reality is that most fraternities do not haze because there are such strict rules and guidelines against hazing that have been established by fraternities’ national headquarters, universities and state governments. According to stophazing.org, there are anti-hazing laws in 44 states including Ohio. If a fraternity is caught hazing they would be at risk of losing the fraternity charter and their membership and, in some cases, have lawsuits and criminal charges brought up against members of the fraternity. This is the one of the main reasons why most fraternities don’t haze and also because many fraternity members feel nobody has the right to make someone do embarrassing or damaging things to be accepted in any type of group.
Another myth is that if you join a fraternity you will have lower grades. Studies show that this is quite the opposite. According to the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) Greek life Web page, a U.S. government study shows that over 70 percent of all people who are in a fraternity graduate while 50 percent of all non-fraternity people graduate. Fraternities actually take academics seriously and have things like study tables with other members and also some fraternities have tutoring for members who are struggling in a particular course. Another excuse people use to not join a fraternity is that they can’t afford the costs, or they say “I don’t need to buy my friends.” You’re actually not buying friends. The money you spend on dues and fraternity costs actually pay for events, t-shirts, and other things and are pretty much paid in advance for things like fraternity events throughout the school year. Fraternity costs are actually not as expensive as people think they are. According to the UTEP Greek Life website, less than 2 percent of an average college student’s expenses go toward fraternity costs. Most fraternities let their members go on a payment plan if the member can’t pay the full amount. Another misconception is that you have to drink and go to parties to be in a fraternity. This is false and is just a stereotype that has been popularized by movies like Animal House. The truth is that many fraternities offer alcohol-free housing and many have strict guidelines on alcohol use. These misconceptions and myths hurt fraternities in many different ways and people should keep a more open mind about fraternities because these myths are false, and they mislead a lot people into not joining a fraternity. These myths are just a way to stereotype and generalize people who are in fraternities.
Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide Decorating: Department Stores offer Dormroom Deals (From Page 5)
small items that are sold in many colors and can easily be matched to a room. Most stores have features on their Web sites that cater to students’ dorm needs with college sections that make dorm decoration more convenient. For example, the people of Bed Bath & Beyond offer online features on their Web site, bedbathandbeyond.com, such as checklists that students can use to make sure they have everything for their rooms. Other stores that appeal to college students’ dorm room needs include:
saving: cutting back gives back in the future (From Page 5) really need that pair of glasses that bad? No, you don’t.” The average college student will graduate with more than $20,000 in student loan and credit card debt, according to a nationwide study by Nellie Mae, which tracks credit card use. Bame-Aldred’s and Gill’s presentation has been in the works since March. It was produced in conjunction with New Student Programs as part of the Week of Welcome for incoming students. Although the attendance of 50 was much lower than he hoped for, Bame-Aldred wants to get the word out. Of those who attended the presentation, most were told about it by their resident advisers, though freshman Pat Heneghen was just walking around and saw the signs. “I thought all the information they presented was appliable, as a college student entering WSU my freshman year,” Heneghen said. “I think it’s information that can be applied to the rest of my life.” As for that cup of coffee tomorrow morning, Bame-Aldred recommends exploring other options. “Buy a coffee maker; make your own coffee,” he said. “Maybe there’s different ways to become caffeinated.”
Wal-Mart, Target, Fred’s, Sears and J.C. Penny. Most of these stores offer lowpriced items for the money-strapped college student. If shopping on a tight budget, look for multi-purpose items that can be used in more than one way to reduce space. With limited space to place all of the things needed to live comfortably, space savers like stackable storage bins, colorful canisters and containers, drawer organizers and bed raisers help keep dorm rooms clutter free. These storage options are offered in many colors that complement a room of any color.
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COSTS: Wants SHould be separated from needs in student spending (From Page 4} you don’t have money to pay for it today,” she said. “At some point, someone has to pay that bill. I really encourage students to sit down and visit with their parents about what is a realistic amount.” Parents can help students compare wants and needs and prevent inexperienced buyers from making purchases they may regret later in the semester. “One of the things that causes youth to drop out of school is not
being able to pay their obligations,” Schroeder said. She and other members of the Building Strong Families Action Team have created an online guide to assist students with “paying down debt.” The Web site, http:// paydowndebt.unl.edu, is available to all students and parents and includes income and expense worksheets for avoiding initial debt by identifying spending “leaks.”
The question is whether certain purchases qualify as necessary items. For students living in campus housing, the list of necessities is greatly reduced -- especially by meal plans. Other necessities can depend on how much, and in what ways, students are willing to give up luxuries they enjoyed at home. “The amount of money that you spend, beyond what you really need, that comes down to lifestyles,” Schumann said.
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Fall 2006 Back to SChool Guide Student HEalth
Heavy Bags Could Lead to Aching Backs Working at laptops and sitting for hours in classes are culprits as well By Tanika Cooper
U-WIRE – Daily Nebraskan LINCOLN, Neb. – Buying books at the beginning of the year can be a pain in the neck – literally. As students begin classes and tote around their texts, they could be creating unnecessary strain on their bodies. Jane Austin, a physical therapist at the University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said students should not carry backpacks that weigh more than 10-15 percent of their body weight. “Even then, you shouldn’t try to carry anything over 10 percent of your body weight – just to be safe,” Austin said. For an average 140-pound woman, this means a backpack should weigh no more than 14 pounds. The average 180-pound man shouldn’t carry around more than 18 pounds. Austin has been working with UNL students for about 14 years and said the problems that stem from lugging a heavy backpack don’t show up immediately; it takes some time for the real problems to begin. Eventually, she said, overly heavy bags can cause pains in the lower back, shoulders and neck. Bags that are too heavy also can cause body tension and headaches. Some students choose to forego regular backpacks altogether and purchase bags that can be rolled around campus on wheels. However, Austin said backpacks on wheels could cause arm tension. “Also, they don’t work in all weather conditions,” Austin said. Eric Bjorkman, a physical therapist at Physical Therapy Solutions in Lincoln, said backpacks with wide, thick straps along the chest or waistbands are best at distributing weight evenly on the shoulders and back. But not all body pains are related to heavy loads. Austin said bad posture could lead to serious complications, too.
To prevent problems from bad posture, Austin said students should make sure the body is well balanced in any position. Ergonomics are used in workplaces to maximize productivity and cut worker fatigue and discomfort, but Austin said the same principles easily could be applied to students in school. Austin said students who work on computers all the time should position their screens so their eyes look forward and slightly down on the screen. Students who own laptops should also watch their posture. Taking breaks can be one of the simplest and most helpful ways to get the most out of studying, Austin said. “Even if that means getting up and walking from one wall back to your seat,” she said. The ideal break is a few minutes every 2030 minutes of studying or lounging. Also, Austin said students should frequently change positions when in class or sitting for long periods of time. If students start picking up good habits now, they can avoid pain in the future. “The likelihood of permanent injuries is low, but [bad habits] can start a cycle that can lead to poor posture,” Bjorkman said.
BACKPACK TIPS Jane Austin, a physical therapist at the University of Nebraska Health Center, offered these tips for students who want to avoid body pains associated with carrying heavy backpacks:
•Even though they can be expensive, backpacks with waist or hip straps distribute weight more evenly than other bags.
•Wear both backpack straps over the shoulders to balance the weight.
•Keep the heaviest weight closest to your body and your center of gravity.
•Sometimes carrying a heavy bag is necessary, but don’t make it a habit.
