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Features
Debt February 4, 2013
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$ 8 0 0 0 Christina Marfice
Features Editor
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In June 2010, the nation-wide total student loan debt exceeded total credit card debt for the first time in history. The figure for outstanding student loan debt in the United States increases by nearly $3,000 per second. Grants and scholarships have not increased enough to keep up with the rising cost of tuition, forcing more students into crippling debt every semester. We know the numbers—more than $1 trillion in national debt—but do we fully understand the emotional toll debt can take on students? Alexandria Hughes, a double major in math and biology, sought the advice of a counselor last summer because she was so stressed on a daily basis. Hughes doesn’t have job problems or family problems or relationship problems. Hughes has a debt problem. “I checked my account the other day,” Hughes said. “Right now, I have about $20,000 in student loans and interest.” According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, 54 percent of degree-holders under age 25 are un- or underemployed. The average in student loan debt has nearly tripled since the last generation was graduating, up from $10,000 in 1985 to over $26,000 today. Surpassing credit cards and mortgages, student loans represent the largest portion of American debt, a total which surpassed one trillion dollars last year. Even with debt on the rise, income is steadily dropping, and so are the hopes of today’s young people that the American dream may still be alive. To Hughes, the size of the number is hardly surprising. “The loans that I took out my freshman year, which were $5,500, have already accumulated $1,000 worth of interest,” she said. “It piles on top and it adds up. That’s the thing about the unsubsidized loans, which are the only ones I qualified for.” Hughes is restricted to unsubsidized Stafford loans because of her parents’ income level. According to her FAFSA, her “expected family contribution” is $37,000 per year. Hughes is one of five children and her parents are still struggling to pay off their own student loans. That number, she says, simply isn’t realistic. “My parents both graduated only ten years ago, and as pharmacists, they each had four years of $20,000 tuition,” Hughes said. “They’re kneedeep in debt as well.” Matt Williams, 32, is in a similar situation and feels that the economy is to blame for his current underemployment. Williams graduated in 1998 with an associate’s degree in drafting and design, and while he worked successfully as a civil drafter for several years, he lost his job when the recession began. He spent a year working for Winco, and has worked several restaurant jobs since. “I would have figured by now I’d be a project manager,” Williams said. “Life kind of sucks right now because I’m not doing what I’d like to be doing.” Williams graduated with close to $15,000 in loans, and, 15 years later, still owes about $3,000. As much as he would like to go back to school and pursue a four-year degree, he is unable to do so until the loans are paid off. Making less than $20,000 per year with no benefits, Williams can’t see himself debt-free any time in the near future. “I think I shot myself in the foot with a few of my choices when it came to education,” Williams said of his decision to pursue a professional degree rather than attend a four-year university. “I took the easy way out, and I’m paying for it now.” For now, Williams only hopes that the economy will recover enough that he can find work outside of the restaurant business. “The goal is to get back into civil design and drafting, and try to work my way up to maybe being a project manager,” said Williams. “But that all depends on the economy. It’s not
looking good, I can tea representative of the Boise State Career Center, works with many graduating seniors facing difficulty finding careers rather than service industry jobs. She says that in the current job market, while many students are able to find some kind of work, very rarely does it pertain to the field they studied in college, raising more questions about the necessity of a degree, especially when mortgage-sized debt is needed to attain one. “Look at something like social work, where a master’s degree is entry level,” said Iuvone. “These jobs require a lot of education, which is expensive, and start (paying between $20,000 and $30,000 per year).” In such a situation, where postgraduate education is required but nearly impossible to pay for, Iuvone feels that students are simply at the mercy of a system that does not work. To do the job, a degree is necessary, but the job will not pay for the degree. “Tuition and fees keep rising every year, whether we like it or not,” she said. “It’s a system that could be reevaluated, for sure.” But despite the system’s shortcomings, Iuvone hasn’t given up on it just yet. “The American dream has become more competitive,” she said. “It’s probably (possible) for fewer individuals than in the past, but it’s not something that is dead or becoming impossible. It comes down to work ethic and personal choice.” Hughes, however, feels that debt may be limiting the potential of people in her generation. Although she anticipates pursuing a career that will pay enough for her to repay her loans, she wonders about students who dream of seeking less lucrative careers. “There are a lot of students out there who are in the same boat as me,” she said. “Some of us get grants and some of us have loans, and ultimately that determines a lot of what we’ll be able to do when we leave this place.” Hughes expects to accumulate about $35,000 in loans and interest by the time she graduates. She is thankful that she has the opportunity to obtain a degree, something she could not do without her loans, but she struggles under the stress of knowing how deep in debt she will soon be. “I’m constantly thinking about when I’ll be able to buy groceries,” Hughes said. “Should I pay on my interest that’s accumulating, or should I go buy groceries?” Hughes said her personal life suffers, not only because of her stress, but because her carefully limited budget and the time constraints that come with her three jobs get in the way. “I have a seven-year-old brother and I want to take him out and do things,” she said. “I really want to take him to the Discovery Center and show him the Bodies Exhibit that’s going on right now, but I know it would cost $32 for us both to go, so I decided against that.” For Hughes, $35,000 in debt has become more than just a number. It is a constant part of her life now, representing her emotional struggle at every moment. “It’s so much more of an emotional issue than it is logistical,” she said. “I know I’ll be able to pay it back. I will. But it leaves its mark. I think about it every day.” Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
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October 21, 2013 arbiteronline.com
Homecoming 2013 Lance Moore @LanceMoore07
With a parade of student decorated golf carts ringing in the morning, Boise State Homecoming week comes to an end. The week-long series promoting of Bronco spirt concluded at the rivalry game with the Broncos taking on the Nevada Wolf Pack. Homecoming is the time of year that correlates with the return of students back to campus, as well as alumni who have maintained their close ties with the university. Taking place during the fall of the new academic year and landing smack dab in the middle of football season, the Boise State campus is flushed with Bronco spirit and camaraderie. Events include student team building competitions such as Toilet Bowl, a flagfootball tournament that takes place on The Blue, to alumni reunions. This year’s reunions were celebrated
by alumni groups such as the Mane Line dancers and graduates of various academic departments such as the Education Department. From Oct. 14-19, student organizations ranging from Greek-life to specific themed groups participated in a variety of spirit-building competitive games known as BroncOlypmics, in which they could earn points. The result is having their names etched into the Homecoming trophy and being forever solidified into Boise State history. To end Homecoming week, each Greek and student organization had the opportunity to decorate their own golf carts to drive in the parade which went through the campus and ended at the tailgate for the football game. With a hail of candy being thrown to spectators and Boise State attire encompassing campus patrons, Bronco spirit was highlighted for all to enjoy
C ampus
concert
Sunny Smiles
Toilet Bowl Touchdown
Sorority Spirit
Thats all folks!!!
What you lookin' at?
Students had a Blast pHOTO’S Megan Nanna, DEVIN FERRELL, MEGAN RILEY, TYLER PAGET, KALEE HINKLE/THE ARBITER
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Boise State basketball will face its toughest challenge yet on the road.
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First issue free
Petersen’s top five moments at Boise State
jake Essman/THE ARBITER
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We wish Chris Petersen and his family all the best in their future endeavors. Chris is an outstanding coach and role model, and we know he’ll be successful at Washington. We have started a national search for our next head football coach at Boise State and will work tirelessly to find the perfect fit to continue the ascension of Bronco football.
“
—Mark Coyle, Director of Athletics
5 Candidates for next head coach John Engel ~ @EngelESPN
1. Justin Wilcox (Washington defensive coordinator):
How do you capture the last eight years, in just 200 words? Is this real life? If it is, Boise State fans’ worst nightmare came to life on Friday when eight-year head coach Chris Petersen announced he was taking his talents to the University of Washington. Former coaches Lyle Smith, Pokey Allen, Dirk Koetter and Dan Hawkins all did things to improve the football program. Petersen however, took the Broncos to a whole different level: an unprecedented 92-12 record in eight seasons, which included two undefeated seasons, two BCS bowl victories and a 9-3 record against teams from power conferences. When Petersen withdrew from the USC coaching search, Bronco fans thought they were in the clear and would keep the former UC Davis quarterback around. Petersen’s announcement on Friday morning rocked the Boise community and left the program reeling and in search of a replacement. Many fans are happy for Petersen. Many are confused. Many feel betrayed. The fact is now was the right time for Petersen to leave. Petersen’s time put into the Boise State did more than anyone could imagine in putting the city on the map. What’s next for the future for Boise State football? Only time will tell.
Si n c e
December 9, 2013 • Issue no. 30 Volume 27
Boise, Idaho
The inevitable occurrence
S tat e
It was Boise State’s Chris Petersen who was chosen as the next Huskies head coach, and he brought Boise State defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski with him, according to reports. Despite coaching under Petersen from 2006-2009, Wilcox appears to be out of a job. Boise State’s last two head coaches were renowned for their offensive ingenuity.
2. Bryan Harsin (Arkansas State head coach): Atop many fan wish lists for the next Boise State head football coach is current Arkansas State head coach Bryan Harsin. Harsin was a Boise State assistant coach and offensive coordinator for 10 seasons before leaving to become Texas’s offensive coordinator in 2011. His name seems perfect as a candidate for the coaching vacancy, but Harsin has a $1.75 million buyout in his contract with the Red Wolves. Petersen’s was only $750,000.
3. Dirk Koetter (Atlanta Falcons OC): It seems unlikely that Dirk Koetter would leave his position as offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons, but he may not have a choice following this season. The Falcons have a record of 3-9, which is worst in the NFC South division. Koetter coached the Broncos from 1998-2000, and led Boise State to its first two bowl victories in program history.
Michael Steen ~ @MichaelSteen2
Jan. 1, 2007 ~ Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma This was the big one. To this day, it is still the most important game in Boise State football history. The school’s first BCS appearance against Big 12 power, Oklahoma. Winning on three trick plays, including the winning 2-point conversion on the statue of liberty play to seal the win in overtime. Final score: 43-42.
Jan. 4, 2010 ~ Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. TCU Boise State’s second BCS berth came against fellow mid-major, TCU, whom they had lost to in the Poinsettia Bowl the year before. Led by sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore, a fake punt to convert a first down in the fourth quarter helped the Broncos become the second mid-major to win multiple BCS games. Final: 17-10.
4. Brent Pease: Former Boise State assistant coach and offensive coordinator was recently fired from his position as offensive coordinator at Florida, making him readily available for coaching vacancies across the country. Pease coached the Broncos from 2006-2011 before taking the position with Florida, and may be interested in a head coaching position.
5. Dan Hawkins (fan wildcard): What could possibly be better than seeing “The Hawk” back in orange and blue as Boise State’s head football coach? Well, maybe a few things, but Dan Hawkins’ name will float around in some lofty rumors until Boise State name’s its next head coach. Hawkins was Boise State’s head coach from 20012005 before leaving to coach Colorado. Hawkins was recently fired from his head coaching position in the Canadian Football League.
Who do you want as the next head coach? Let us know at Arbiteronline.com or tweet us @arbiteronline.
Sept. 6, 2010 ~ Boise @ Virginia Tech, 33-30 Returning 17 starters from the second Fiesta Bowl team, the Broncos began the season ranked third in the nation. A late two-minute drive by Kellen Moore grabbed the big win for the Broncos, and propelled them to a season where they would come just a field goal kick away from a potential national championship appearance.
Sept. 3, 2011 ~ Boise @ Georgia (35-21) Starting the season ranked fifth in the country, senior quarterback Kellen Moore led the Broncos into the Georgia Dome and put a beat down on the Georgia Bulldogs to get revenge from a 2005 loss. The Broncos would once again be in the national title talks for much of the season.
Sept. 20, 2008 ~ Boise @ Oregon (37-32) True freshman quarterback Kellen Moore made his road debut in 2008, when the Broncos traveled to Eugene, Oreg. to take on the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Jumping out to a 35-13 lead through three quarters, the Broncos held off a late charge from the Ducks, and held on for the win. The Broncos would go undefeated it the regular season.
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