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The memory of Velma Morrison lives on through Boise performing arts.
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Students join NASA and defy gravity at the Kennedy Space Center.
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Tennis coach Greg Patton strives to put Boise on the map.
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Don’t double my rate July 17, 2013 • Issue no. 65 Volume 25
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
After much deliberation in the Legislature, student loan interest rate doubles
Ryan Thorne @RyanThorne86
49%
Rina Wilkes is a 21-year-old nursing student at Boise State and works at the Recreation Full-time Center. Since Wilstudents using kes cannot afford to pay for school federal loans expenses out of pocket, she accepts Federal Stafford Loans to subsidize the cost of her education. “I have $20,000 in debt, it’s actually quite a bit, so Part-time I don’t like it obvistudents using ously,” Wilkes said. Wilkes isn’t federal loans alone in her reliance on the government. In 2012, just under half of full-time students, 49.6 percent, used federal loans to pay tuition and cover cost of living exAverage yearly penses according federal loan to the National Center for Educaawarded/student tional Statistics. Until recently, Stafford Loan incourtesty mct campus terest rates sat at Due in part to the sequestration, interest on Stafford loans have sharply increased. 3.4 percent, but legislation introing as both sides felt which tie the National rate increase but legisla- ready accepted Stafduced as part of the their interests were not Treasury interest rates tion was rejected by the ford and other fedrecent Sequestration being met. to student loans, but the President and Demo- eral loans before July has doubled that rate 1, 2013 will not see According to Con- President’s legislation crats in the senate. to 6.8 percent effective gress’ Joint Economic would allow students “The House bill isn’t an increase in interest July 1, 2013. Committee, students to select a standard rate smart and it’s not fair,” rates for the coming Enrolled undergrads “It would be nice if it with StafP r e s i d e n t year, but if lawmakers were stabilized for me ford Loans Obama said cannot find common It would be nice if it were because I have a plan to will in a White ground this summer, be pay off everything in a e x p e c t e d House press those who apply for stabilized for me because higher priority. certain amount of time,” to pay up c o n f e r - loans in July and AuI have a plan to pay off “I don’t think we Wilkes said. “If I can’t to $2,600 ence nearly gust and subsequent everything in a certain should have to pay for predict how much debt more a month years will be affected. in I will be in, it makes i n t e r e s t Freshman Tristan mistakes the governbefore the amount of time. —Rina Wilkes it harder.” deadline of Houghton hopes Con- ment has made, even per fedEfforts stalled be- eral loan July 1. “I’m gress can agree on a though they are fundtween Republicans and as a result of the interest throughout the life loan. glad The House is pay- low, standard rate. He ing us,” Houghton said. Democrats in the Senate increase. In mid May, the ing attention to it, but also feels the govern- “People need those to prevent interest rates President Obama and Republican-controlled they didn’t do it in the ment should be more student loans; peoon federally backed House Republicans have House passed a bill in- right way.” efficient and con- ple will always need student loans from ris- both announced plans tended to prevent the Students who have al- sider student debt a student loans.”
25% $7k
11
Million
“
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Athletics pulls lowest amount of funds in Mountain West John Engel
@engelsportsguy
As Boise State continues to improve the facilities allocated solely to athletic programs, unrest among students and citizens grows. It’s often difficult to understand where funds for the athletic program come from, and how much money is being subsidized by students. Boise State has unveiled new multi-million dollar facilities for both the basketball and football programs over the last three years, not to mention the
Stueckle Sky Center sitting atop Bronco Stadium. Every new building on campus leads to concern regarding the responsible appropriation of students’ fees and tuition, which increases substantially before every fall term. However, according to a USA Today report, Boise State athletics receive the lowest amount of revenue from student and school funds in the Mountain West. The Broncos receive only 24.96 percent of its yearly revenue from student fees and school funds. For reference, the Uni-
versity of Idaho receives 47.18 percent of its athletic revenue from subsidies. Schools in BCS conferences have far less dependence on funding from other departments because of their national exposure. Texas, Ohio State, Louisiana State, Penn State, Oklahoma, Purdue and Nebraska are the only schools in the country not receiving any subsidies. Boise State ranks 48th lowest in percent of revenue coming from subsidies and has the best standing of any mid-major institution. Many institutions rely
on subsidies to compensate for under-performing teams, and in many situations, women’s programs which produce very little revenue because of limited media opportunities. Boise State not only leads the pack for midmajors, but also has more independence than five BCS teams -- Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, Oregon State and Cincinnati. “I think that the relationship between the campus community and the Athletic Department is pretty special here at Boise State,” Boise State women’s tennis coach
said. “Maintaining and continuing to grow that relationship is very important to all of us here at Boise State.” In February, the Idaho State Board of Education gave Boise State the ability to spend up to $33.3 million on the new football complex, which opened on July 1, most of which was financed through pledges, donations and
bonds. As Boise State athletic programs continue to flourish, and the community supports further expansion, more and more facilities will be built on campus to attract new recruits. Even though tuition increases every year, the Athletic Department isn’t necessarily to blame. If anything, touchdowns and three pointers are keeping tuition as low as it is.
illustration Megan Nanna/THE ARBITER
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