The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
October 27, 2011
Volume 96 Issue 18
NATIONAL
Obama announces student loan plan Ashton Pittman Web Editor President Obama announced on Wednesday a new plan to help lessen the burden of student debt on incoming college students and graduates. Starting in 2012, the plan will introduce a new cap on monthly payments, consolidate multiple loans and forgive remaining debt after 20 years of faithful payment. “As you young people are getting ready to head out into the world, I know you’re hearing stories from friends and classmates and siblings who are struggling to find work, and you’re wondering what’s in store for your future,” Obama said. “And I know that can be scary.” USM graduate Jeremiah Estes, who now works as a science instructor at Jones County Junior College, said he’s still paying off $80,000 in debts from his time at USM. “I’m eternally grateful to the taxpayers of this great nation for loan-
ing an 18-year-old enough money to start an education,” Estes said. “Sixteen years later I have a great job and education.” Estes said he’s glad he was able to find a good job that allowed him to immediately begin paying his student debts back. He still owes around $20,000, he said. “I do like that they cannot take more than a certain percentage out of your check,” Estes said. Under an act passed by Congress in 2010, borrowers will be able to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income. That was supposed to go into effect in 2014, but Obama’s new plan accelerates implementation of the new income-based payment plan, which was originally created in 2007 with a 15 percent cap. “With millions of student borrowers saddled with unmanageable levels of debt, these valuable benefits cannot start a moment too soon,”
See OBAMA, 3
Joe Amon/Denver Post
President Barack Obama greets the crowd before his speech about student loan restructuring at the Auraria Events Center in downtown Denver, Colo.
LOCAL
Greeks team up for annual ZooBoo Arielle Edwards Printz Writer The Hattiesburg Zoo is hosting its annual Halloween tradition with help from Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity this year. Since the mid 1990’s, SAE has helped organize ZooBoo with the Hattiesburg zoo. It’s an annual carnival put on for children during the last week of October. Junior sport coaching education major and SAE member Aaron Roberts said that they work to get many people involved. “We try to have all active members work most of the nights,” Roberts said. “Tri Delta has also been volunteering with us for many years.”
HALLOWEEN!
Junior marketing zoo, includmajor and SAE phiing “Prairie lanthropy chair Taylor Dog Dig,” Winstead is in charge “Tiger Toes” of planning and orgaand “Peacock nizing all volunteers. Luck” and “I have to make other activities sure we have enough focusing on volunteers for each the animals. night, maintain qual“We, as ity control at each staworkers, have tion and serve as the to set up the intermediate between stations,” Robzoo personnel and erts said. “We volunteers,” Winstead also help take Justin Sellers/Printz them down at said. Winstead also has The Hattiesburg Zoo and SAE fraternity will host their annual ZooBoo to meet with parks and with the help of Delta Delta Delta sorority for the remainder of the week. the end of the night.” recreation staff as well This carnival is put on for children in the community. The memas the zoo staff to make child receives tickets in order to play sure that everything is set up for the at the roughly 30 game stations that bers of SAE, along with members of event. have been set up throughout the Delta Delta Delta sorority, entertain and direct children while they are at With a small admission fee, each
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the booths, whether they’re giving instructions or passing out candy. Kalea Lunsford, a sophomore speech pathology major and member of Tri Delta, was excited to help with the event. “The children’s faces light up as soon as they walk in,” Lunsford said. “I like to volunteer because I know how much they enjoy coming to the zoo and having all of the spooky games.” Senior public relations major, and president of SAE Brock Doleac said his fraternity helps because they love to give back the community. “We take pride in helping the Hattiesburg Zoo and offering a safe place for children to trick or treat,” Doleac said. “It is great to watch how
See ZOOBOO, 3
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 Crossword ...................... 2 News .............................. 3 Feature ...........................4 Arts & Entertainment......5 Opinion............................7 Sports..............................8