Whatʼs your dream car?

“An old school low rider car that is very expensive, a gas guzzler and is bad for the environment, because you gotta go all out man.”

-Juan Meraz, Child Development

“A Jeep Wrangler. It has to be convertible, because I feel that thatʼs fun to go on the beach with, and PCH.”

- Ellen Circa, Undecided

The Great Recession is over and the nation continues its slow recovery, but the damage has been done. College education didn’t come out unscathed, and the woes continue with tuition hikes to the University of California and California State University systems.

According to the LA Times, the UC system voted on Thursday, Nov. 17 to increase tuition by up to five percent for the next five years. This means that students would have to pay $12,804 per semester to enroll in a university. By 2020, UC tuition rates could rise to more than $15,500 a semester.

UC President Janet Napolitano said that it’s necessary for the UC system to increase tuition to offset state budget cuts that could have covered faculty salaries and pensions, the costs of increased enrollment and to maintain the UC reputation.

Taking into consideration that college tuition encompases more than the cost for an individual student’s education, this debt is unnecessary. They are paying for their professors’ salaries. They are paying to fund intercollegiate athletics, which oftentimes cost more to fund than the revenue it brings in.

That’s not to say that all of this should be done away with. It shouldn’t because it contributes to the culture. But if such burdens are to be placed on students, there should be factors that minimize the risk of investing in higher education.

Gov. Jerry Brown, who voted against the tuition hike, suggested that the UC system cut back on spending instead of increasing tuition. He suggested that plans that expedite the time it takes to complete a degree and offering more online classes would decrease costs.

“Iʼd like to get a Tesla for myself, just because itʼs saving the fuel and the environment, itʼs safe. Plus I follow Elon Musk. Heʼs my mentor also, so just for that sake.”

-Manish Kumar, Finance

“Thatʼs easy. A Shelby Cobra! Itʼs been my dream car ever since I was little. Itʼs been in most of the fast and furious movies, but thatʼs not why I like it. I love it because the sound is just so amazing. Every time I hear it, I love it.”

-Ashley Bray, Child Development

-Corrections-

Volume 125, Issue 10:

Page 1: The protest photo was taken by Taylor Arthur.

Page 2: The margin of victory for Hillary Clinton in the popular vote was 2.2 million, not 395,050.

Page 3: The first name of Stephanie Winnard was not mentioned.

Brown has also proposed to cut funding to UCs by $500 million next year.

Now Mr. Governor, it seems like you are trying to take one step forward and several dozen steps back. The solution to this problem is not to further inhibit the quality of higher education by cutting costs that add enrichment and experience to the college career, but to stop cutting altogether.

Proposing that universities rush students to receive a degree in three years instead of the standard four years implies the worst fears of many, that public higher education is becoming nothing more than a cash grab. Is a degree worth it anymore?

Statistics say yes. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), those with a bachelor’s degree earn about 65 percent more than those who only have a high school diploma. Despite that, tuition increases are doing a splendid job of scaring away potential students.

Between 2000 and 2013, tuition at four-year universities increased by 87 percent, while American household incomes only increased by 24 percent, according to CNBC. Increased budget cuts only aggravate the situation.

According to CNBC, California spends 25 percent of taxpayer dollars on Medicaid, 21 percent on K-12 education, and only seven percent on higher education with the plurality of funds going toward “other.” Healthcare programs and mandatory education, by law, are allocated a specific amount of funding. Higher education, considered a discretionary expenditure, often bears the blows of a weak and unbalanced budget.

Public funding for higher education should be increased and prioritized just as much as secondary education. High school diplomas are becoming obsolete. Putting more worth on lower education has the potential to stagnate our society.

Tuition, not federal funding, contributes most of a college’s budget in most states, according to the LA Times. A study by Delta Price Projects concluded that because public funding is the lowest it’s ever been in the last ten years, college students are now paying half or more to fund their education costs.

According to the College Board, tuition for the University of California is $12,192, several thousand dollars more than the national average tuition of $8,893 of all public colleges.

It is to the nation’s advantage that citizens attain a higher education to go into the workforce as public servants the doctors, lawyers and politicians of tomorrow. Tuivtion hikes limit the accessibility of these so-called “public” institutions and ostracize those without the adequate resources to afford a higher education, leaving college only for the select few.

According to the LA Times, more than two thirds of students graduated this year with a debt averaging $35,000. To avoid this, students are enrolling in less expensive colleges and choosing two-years over fouryears. As a result, low and moderateincome students are statistically earning less bachelor’s degrees.

Napolitano said that 50 percent of in-state students receive enough financial aid to fully cover tuition, and about half graduate without debt. That number can and should be higher. College shouldn’t be a 50/50 gamble of crippling debt. This isn’t the stock market; this is our future.

Are using apps like Uber and Lyft better than driving your own car?

LONDY SAGASTUME Reporter

@lsagastume93

Why spend tons of money on gas, hassle with parking and pay insurance for a car when you can just take an Uber?

Uber is a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B without the concerns that the average driver worries about. Taking an Uber avoids many difficult situations. For example, the driver deals with traffic. Although passengers deal with traffic, not owning a car would avoid incidents like having to exchange information, insurance details, paying for damages and paying for a rental while your car gets fixed.

Taking Uber is also convenient when it comes to social gatherings like going to bars, concerts and events. By riding in an Uber rather than driving your own vehicle, you avoid stress.

During the weekends many people choose to take an Uber even if they own a car. The reason for this is because many participate in social drinking. After a couple drinks, it is the safest and smartest measure to take an Uber. If you are intoxicated on a Saturday night with your friends, it is better to order an Uber rather than risk getting a DUI. Driving under the influence doesn’t only risk your life, but also the lives of others.

Also, attending events is frustrating due to packed parking lots.

Photographers:

Amy Au Reza Rastegarrazi

Ezzat Wanas

Calvin B. Alagot

Jordan Nathan

Sonia Gurrola

Advisers:

Jill Connelly

Jeff Favre

Tracie Savage lsagastume.roundupnews@gmail.com

However, when taking an Uber it is easier to be dropped off and picked up in the entrance. In an attempt to avoid this, many hotels and venues have a specific entrance for Uber drivers to pick up and drop off their customers. In addition to being quick and easy, Uber is also affordable compared to taxis. Uber drivers charge by the distance traveled between where you are picked up to where you are going. Usually the prices range, but they are affordable to many who also enjoy their customer service. Uber also offers uberPOOL, which lets you split the cost of a ride with other passengers. When taking uberPOOL, the driver picks you and others up around the area. Each passenger is then dropped off one at a time. This saves money since the distance between rides is shared.

Lastly, Uber is useful overall because it gets you around. It is faster than taking the metro, subway or driving your own car. Taking the bus can be cheap, but it might be time consuming due to all the stops. Uber makes your life as a whole lot less stressful because all you’re doing is taking the back seat and enjoying the ride.

Cartoonists:

Nelson Simmons

Chanaelle Chahayed

Advertising Manager: Matt Thacker

*For advertising call Matt at (818) 710-2960

MARIA TRINIDAD Reporter

@mariat_roundup

When it comes to transportation, there are many doubts on whether it’s better to rideshare or drive your own car. Driving your car is better because you don’t have to wait for your ride to arrive and it’s simply safer.

Nowadays, everybody wants to Uber. Even though Uber can be beneficial to most people, it can have its also has its downsides. Although Uber has been around for a long time and since then has grown tremendously to serve the people, driving your own car is more convenient and helpful.

According to Business Insider, it is cheaper to own a car than to take Uber everywhere. If you are that type of person who goes out a lot, then yes, drive your own car. You will save some money. You will also be able to go to multiple places without having to wait for a driver.

For example, if you and your friends are out and, all of a sudden, there is a change of plans and now you want to go eat, there is no need to call an Uber and wait when you have your car parked around the corner.

Driving your own car can be a lot more comfortable than taking an Uber, too. Driving your car is like having a baby. You feel comfortable, safe and you know its needs. When you take an Uber, you obviously don’t know the driver, so it may be awkward to ask for a specific type of music or talk on the phone without having the driver listening to the conversation. However, if you drive your own car, you can listen to the type of music you like as loud as you want. Also, if you’re in a rush or simply a fast driver, the speed limit is all up to you. As college students, we have obligations, which may include work, internships, driving to your boyfriend or girlfriend’s house or picking up kids from school. These type of duties can’t wait. mtrinidad.roundupnews@gmail.com and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup. The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.

If you are a mother and receive a call from your kid’s school that you have to pick them up because they’re sick, there is no time to wait for an Uber. These life emergencies occur all the time, which is why owning a car is very important. You never know when you might need it.