A4
VP interview
Get to know Oswego State’s newest vice president
Friday, Oct. 25, 2013
•
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF OSWEGO STATE UNIVERSITY • www.oswegonian.com
VOLUME LXXIX ISSUE VIII
Coping with costs
Gov’t shutdown shows students’ civic disinterest
5 years after textbook transparency law passes, effects are measured
Luke Parsnow Asst. News Editor lparsnow@oswegonian.com
Aimee Hirsch Editor-at-Large ahirsch@oswegonian.com When the Higher Education Opportunities Act was signed into law in 2008, one of the bill’s goals was to increase transparency in textbook costs by requiring professors and universities to make the prices of textbooks assigned for class available before registration. The requirement would, in theory, force both professors and students to consider pricing before either assigning a textbook or registering for a class. This consideration would then create a marketplace where students can consider multiple class options and professors would have to slim down pricing to keep their classes competitive. “That was part of the intent,” Rameen Mohammadi, the associate provost at Oswego State, said about the provision. “Where you would say ‘This is my book that I’m going to use’ and we would have to review what we posted on the Internet for the registration, and they might say ‘Oh wow, I didn’t realize this book was $200.” In the past few years, however, the prices of textbooks have continually increased dramatically. According to the Student Public Interest Research Group, textbook prices have increased 22 percent over the past four years, a rate that is quadruple the inflation rate. Because of this, some students struggle to afford textbooks, which also brings into question whether the law has changed the way professors consider assigning textbooks. Mohammadi said that, after reviewing textbooks assigned by professors following the act, he has seen professors take price more into account.
Devon Nitz | The Oswegonian
“Faculty are going to loose leaf more, staying with old editions more and they are ordering fewer books, which, of course will end up being cheaper,” Mohammadi said. Oswego State students can check prices prior to registration on MyOswego. Mohammadi said having the prices available allows students more choice, but added that he isn’t sure if they are utilizing their options. “If students say ‘No, I don’t want to pay $300,’ they can take this other course that has books for $80,” Mohammadi said. “So they can make those choices, though it’s not clear to me they are making choices.”
Senior geology major Julie Meleski said she has used the information to consider textbook prices before registering, but only for general education classes. “You can see if it requires a text or suggests a text, and I always prefer, if I don’t really know either of the professors, I’ll choose it based on whatever textbook would be cheaper,” Meleski said. But even if students know the prices in advance, that fact remains that, according to the College Board, on average students spend $1,137 on textbooks each year. The data would seem to indicate professors are still assigning extravagantly-priced books.
Edward Lonky, a professor in the Psychology department whose textbook assignments in his courses range from $24 used in one class to $176 new for another, said that he takes many things into consideration before assigning a textbook, but price is not one of them. “What is the absolute best textbook for the course I’m teaching, what’s the most current, the most relevant, the best written, has the best ancillary support, whether online or in class, that’s what I
See TEXTBOOKS, A4
The U.S. government shutdown that furloughed 800,000 workers, closed memorials and museums for half of October and cost the economy $24 billion has also highlighted a national decrease in student interest and faith in politics and government. The amount of students getting involved in politics has been declining over the last few years. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the voter turnout rate of young people ages 18 to 29 declined 6 percent from the 2008 to the 2012 presidential elections, and fewer than half think it is everyone’s duty to vote. In 2011, an estimated 70 percent of college students said that they did not consider themselves politically engaged or active, according to Knowledge Networks on behalf of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. A recent article by USA Today said that the numerous political stalemates this year have many college students frustrated and is causing a growing distance between students and activity in government. “Unfortunately as young people, we are still learning about our government system by the books, how it is supposed to run and how the system is supposed to be structured,” said Gabbi Reimann, a junior political science and history major. “Nowadays, while we are learning this, because of this flaws in our government can be easily seen and when situations like the government shutdown arise, young Americans nationally, I’m sure, feel hopeless.”
See ENGAGEMENT, A5
Port of Oswego receives $192,000 grant for railroad improvements Ryan Deffenbaugh Editor-in-Chief rdeffenbaugh@oswegonian.com
CONTENT
The Port of Oswego Authority has been awarded $192,000 for a project that will include improvement to the port’s railway system, U.S. representatives announced on Tuesday. U.S. representatives Dan Maffei, DN.Y., and Richard Hanna, R-N.Y are supporting the port’s application as a potential boon to the Central New York shipping industry and economy. The funds, awarded by the Northern Border Regional Commission, will be used to construct a rail spur and additional rail
Calendar...........................C2 Classified..........................C7 Crossword.........................C6 Contact Info......................A2 Laker Review.....................C1 News.................................A1 Opinion............................B5 Sports...............................B1 Sudoku.............................C6
by touting the port’s potential economic value for New York state. Similarly, Maffei and Hanna have noted the economic impact increased funding of the port could have on the state’s economy. “Investment in our port and local water infrastructure helps create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the middle class in Central New York,” Maffei said in a release. “The Port of Oswego is an important economic hub that supports thousands of jobs and many of our local industries.” Hanna, a representative from the 22nd district, echoed Maffei’s statement, as well as voiced support for future legislation to potentially bolster the port’s
infrastructure. The House of Representatives will be voting this week on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013, which could bring additional aid to the port. “I’m pleased the Port is receiving these funds to grow its rail capabilities and sustain jobs in our region,” Hanna said in a release. “I look forward to additionally supporting the bipartisan water bill in Congress this week because it will similarly bolster the Port of Oswego, helping our small businesses thrive and compete across the nation and world.”
Sports
Opinion
Laker Review
SOCCER DRAWS TWICE
SUPPORT EQUALITY
STUDENT SHOW
OSWEGO COFFEE
C4
WEB
car storage to help accommodate the demands of increased rail traffic to the port. The Port of Oswego has seen an increase in popularity in recent years. As the only deep-water port on the U.S. shores of Lake Ontario, the port’s location is accessible from any international port. These funds come following a $1.5 million competitive grant the Port of Oswego received from the U.S. Department of Transportation in August to add a new rail link. The aid will help the port to rebuild its rail lines, which date back to 1963. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., was a strong advocate for the port this summer, lobbying for the federal funds
B1
Perry Kennedy | The Oswegonian
B5
Photo provided by Flickr
Photo provided by Flickr A ship heads toward the Port of Oswego, a recent recepient of a $192,000 federal grant
Photo provided by Public Affairs Office
Oswegonian.com
JoAnn Delauter | The Oswegonian