OTUNDA
Sixty-fourth year
Number 7
Tuesday, October 9, 1984
Lack Of Aid Affects Med Students (CPS) A student graduating from medical school this year will probably already be some $26,400 in debt, a new study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) says. Based on its findings, the AAMC warns that skyrocketing tuition, along with financial aid cutbacks, may soon keep all but the children of the rich from attending medical school. The concern over med student debts closely parallels college financial aid experts' fears that all students are falling dangerously far into debt to finance their college educations. Officials say the recent restructuring of federal financial aid programs has forced many students to rely on loans, rather than grants, to pay for college. And while the debt problem threatens all college students, medical students are becoming especially
Longwood College Farmville, Virginia
vulnerable, according to the AAMC study. Tuition has doubled or tripled at most medical schools in recent years, already locking out many middle - and lower class students, according to the study, which was conducted by a panel of 18 medical school deans. This year, the average medical school graduate left school with more than $26,400 in debts, the study shows, a 10.8 percent increase over last year. Over eight percent - one out of every 12 - left school owing more than $50,000. "If this trend continues," the study says, "many students may be denied the opportunity to study medicine. A medical education may become an opportunity restricted to the affluent." Only 12 percent of this year's med students graduated without debt, compared to 14 percent in 1983. — cont pg 8, col 3
OCPP Helps Students Win Jobs by Lori Foster When you graduate from Longwood chances are employers will not be hunting you down and good jobs will not be falling out of the sky. Finding a good job doesn't just happen, you have to make it happen. Here at Longwood on the second floor of S. Ruffner we have the Office of Career Planning and Placement, who will help you do just that, find a job. The OCPP Staff, directed by Niki Falls and her assistant. Linda Dove, is always willing to assist you. The services of the office are voluntary. A student does not have to take advantage of it in order to graduate, therefore too many students put off the early effort and being their own job search only after they have left school. Students do not realize they will need some guidance or instruction until it is too late. Seventy-five percent of the seniors use the office someway, however.
Fallis suggests that the underclass students should begin to participate in informational interviews and programs as early as possible. The OCPP is not an employment agency, they simply teach students how to use their services so they can correctly go about finding a job. However, many times matches are made between students and employers as a result of using the office. There is a large variety
of services that the OCPP makes available to all students. They provide career information, assist students in career decisions through individual counseling and group seminars, and provide job search strategy workshops, just to name a few. Fallis "encourages students to keep up with the activities of the office by notices appearing in the Rotunda, the campus cont pg 8. col. 1
Catalinas Prepare For Performance The Catalina's, Longwood's synchronized swimming club, will present "Dive-In Theater" October 13 for their Oktoberfest performance. Show times are 1:30, 2:00 and 2:30 at Lancer Pool. Admission is 50 r^ents.
Longwood Students Free w/ID General Admission $ 5.50
In Jarman Auditorium • Oct. 11-13 • 8 p.m
"Dive-In Theater," the movie theme for the program, presents five routines choreographed to "There's No Stoppin' Us". "Up Where We Belong", "Ghostbusters", "I'm Free", and "What A; Feeling". The finale, a salute to the 1984 Summer Olympics where sychronized swimming made a debut, includes all members of the club swimming to the music of "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". The Catalina's have 20 members and are coached and advised by Health and Physical Education Instructor, Cindy Peake Heath. Officers for 1984-85 are Susan Drewry, President; Suzy Crothers, VicePresident; Ellen Brown, Secretary; Cheryl Evans, Treasurer; and Leslie Wright and Kathryn Schrader, Historians. New members joining the club are Donna Armento, Suzanne Evans, Joey Faries, Amy Gahs, Linda Mahan, Anne Mackenchnie, Anne Undrhill. and Laura Ziegler. Returning members are Debbie Bucsko, Laura Clark, Gloria Cliff, Sue Craven, Mindy Robinson and Jana Wells.