the February 25, 2010 • Volume 106, No. 15
Etownian elizabethtown college
One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298
On the Web: www.etownian.com
on campus
Dolla dolla bill: Bailey demystifies budget adjustments Rachel A. Marsteller News Editor Elizabeth A. Shea Staff Writer
I
t is an undisputed fact that the American economy has experienced a rough few years, which has resulted in price increases for many services. Unfortunately, this means that tuition prices have continued to rise, increasing Elizabethtown College’s fees to $41,750 for the 2010-11 school year. In an e-mail sent out this week, President Theodore Long stated that this is a 4.5 percent increase, one of the lowest in the past 15 years. However, when looking at any increase, it is important to be aware of what the increase supports — in this case, the College budget. At this week’s Student Senate meeting, the discussion revolved around budget changes for next year. During the meeting, Vice President of Finance Rick Bailey presented “Where Do Tuition Dollars Go?,” during which he explained budget increases and tuition. “We look at number of things when thinking about adjusting the comprehensive fee, such as our own projections overall for the College as a whole going forward, all components of expenses, and we conduct comparisons with other institutions, see where their comprehensive fees are and where they are headed,” Bailey said. “We also look at the changes in the CPI (consumer price index), specifically the education index, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All these components are considered and discussed at the faculty assembly, senior staff and the board of trustees.” It is necessary to determine where funding will be distributed best and what funds can be used to support
the necessary changes. Safety expenses are always top it has been emphasized that this year’s tuition increases priority, along with supporting the campus’s mission are lower than past years’, sophomore Betsy Michaels and the maintenance of facilities. When it comes to the views the increase in a different way. distribution of funds across campus, 61 percent goes She stated that although this year’s increase is only toward compensation and benefits. Thirty-four percent 4.5 percent, she looks at increases as a total from when goes toward financial aid. Costs of goods for both the she began school at Etown. This year’s increase marks a book store and dining services are 5 percent. Utilities total of an 8 percent increase in the two years that she and other expenses related to facilities takes up 12 to has been here. Also, scholarships do not continue to 14 percent of the budget. adjust with tuition after Tuition payments only cover students have passed their Etown By the Numbers 80 percent of the costs of first year, another fact running the campus. which makes this increase Total cost for 2010-2011: $41,750 Sophomore Jill Patrick harder for most students. Tuition cost: $33,250 stated that although she unAccording to Vice PresBasic room and board: $8,500 derstood tuition increases to ident for Enrollment Paul Increase in tuition: 4.5% support the budget, it seems Cramer, financial aid is President Long’s salary: $254,555 like a rather substantial innot a part of the budget President’s expense account: $94,930 crease, especially for families that has “left-over” money. Provost’s salary: $140,000 supporting multiple college Rather, the resources proRick Bailey’s salary: $130,875 students. She also said that vided are distributed as Dean Calenda’s salary: $93,510 she expects her sibling’s tubest they can to those in Student activities budget: $3.5 mill. ition will increase, but she need. The percentage alInformation compiled from 2007 tax exemption form. doubts it will be as substanlocated to financial aid this tial an increase. year is higher than in years Although students agree that tuition should fund past. Of the current tuition prices, 34 percent is being set projects that better the campus, it is apparent that rising aside for the distribution of financial aid in order to help tuition rates are taking a toll on all College members, current students, in contrast to 33 percent last year. especially those responsible for financing their own “Regarding returning students, Elizabethtown reschooling. A key question is what we can do to reduce evaluates all students who apply for need-based aid on costs. The answer is simple: discover ways to conserve an annual basis,” Cramer said. “For those students who resources, including electric and gas costs, which ac- demonstrate significant increases in need, the College is count for about $2 million per year. committed to adjusting financial aid packages to allow Another concern regarding tuition and budget in- those students the opportunity to continue and complete creases centers on scholarship distribution. Although their studies at Elizabethtown.”
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in the nation
Awareness week aimed to counter eating disorders
Medical Group. These individuals would compile a history of the student’s eating disorder, including the student’s weight. Patients do not have to see their weight if it is detrimental to their health. here is a difference between eating disorders and disordered eating,” Sandy A blood test would then determine electrolyte levels. According Spayd, director of student wellness and campus health, said. Sometimes college to Wagener, an eating disorder can dangerously affect levels of students experience “disordered eating,” eating in different routines and not eating electrolytes. If needed, an electrocardiogram is performed to check the heart for irregular rhythms, which is sometimes healthily due to stress. Feb. 21 through Feb. 27 is National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week. a symptom of eating disorders. The student would then According to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org, the purpose of NED Awareness Week be referred to Counseling Services to follow up on is to reach out to those suffering from eating disorders and encourage them to seek any emotional issues. “I’m not too familiar about the College giving help. Another mission is to reduce body image issues because eating disorders are information about eating disorders,” sophomore Dan life-threatening illnesses. Eileen Wagener, college health liaison, put into perspective how someone from Silver said. “It’s difficult for athletes to get some of their Elizabethtown College who comes into the health center with an eating disorder is meals. They eat at odd hours and can develop bad patterns.” helped. Typically, one with an eating disorder would schedule an appointment with continued on page 3 Marge Natividad, nurse practitioner, or another physician from Penn State Hershey
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Vocalign CD release Etown’s co-ed a cappella group gears up to release their first CD. Find out more about the process involved in this project.
Features, page 5
As If!: 1995 While we were all braving elementary school, the highs and lows of 1995 passed us by. Whatever!
Centerfold, pages 8 & 9
SafetySuit
Man breeds
A popular band coming to Etown held the number one song on the top 20 countdown.
Have you ever dated any of these categories of man? Find out in the ever-popular romance column.
Campus Life, page 10
Opinion, page 11
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Brittany V. Diautolo Staff Writer