February 2010 Insight Magazine

U N R I N S I G H T. C O M

INSIGHT [ The Universit y of Ne vada, Reno’s student MAGA ZINE]

COLLEGE EXPENSES $ Health Insurance The Student Health Center and UNR health insurance

$ Student vs. Worker A student with two jobs pays her way through college

$ Graduating this May? You’re not the only nervous one here

FEBRUARY 2010 Volume 2 • Issue 4

Contents FEBRUARY 2010

4 | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 5 | BEHIND [INSIGHT] 6 | PACK PROFILE 8 | COLLEGE ON CREDIT 10 | FREE TO TEACH

PHOTO BY COURTNEY SPANGLER

2 | Insight | February 2010

STUDENT vs worker | 14 A sickening sacrifice | 16 A child saved | 22 Reflection on Graduation | 26 in hindsight | 30

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 3

U N R I N S I G H T.C O M

LETTER {

FROM THE

} EDITOR

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ransition­—I hate it. I hate that “in-flux” period where nothing makes sense. Originally, this issue was about “paying your way.” But I think that in the process of preparing this issue for publication, the theme became more about change, transition and adaptation. The people featured in this issue of Insight inspire me to accept transition.

Everyone’s obstacles vary in degree of severity. Cody Liska’s story, “A Child Saved,” reveals a life many of us don’t want to understand. Homelessness is something we see every day and while we are empathetic, the problem persists. It is a world of constant peril, uncertainty and suffering but just as J.J. shows us, there is hope.

For others, obstacles are not as dire but they still matter nonetheless. Making the decision to pay for school and living expenses with the use of loans is tough. Nothing brings the future more into consideration than planning to pay for today’s life with money you have yet to earn. Nicole da Roza and Sara Kam’s story, “College on Credit,” explores the benefits and definite consequences of a post-graduation world paying off the previous four, or five or even six years.

Jessica Estepa’s story of anticipated graduation reveals the fear and excitement of leaving the safety net of college. Whether she ends up in Orlando working at the Harry Potter theme park or copy editing into the wee hours of the night for a large news conglomerate, we do not know. But really, who knows what the future holds?

[The University of Nevada, Reno’s student magazine]

Interim Editor-in-Chief KATIE GOODWIN katie@unrinsight.com

Online Managing Editor JESSICA PACHECO pacheco@unrinsight.com

Design Editor GEOFF ROSEBOROUGH geoff@unrinsight.com

Multimedia Editor JESSICA ESTEPA

estepa@unrinsight.com

Assistant Multimedia Editor MICHAEL GJURICH mgjurich@unrinsight.com

Head Photo Editor SEBASTIAN DIAZ

sebastian@unrinsight.com

Assistant Photo Editor COURTNEY SPANGLER courntey@unrinsight.com

Webmaster DEREK JORDAN

webmaster@unrinsight.com

Story Editor SAM DISALVO

sam@unrinsight.com

Advertising Coordinator BROOKE BARLOW brookeb@unr.edu

Contributors: Nicole da Roza, Sara Kam, Matt Buccambuso, Stephanie Horowitz, Cody Liska

Katie Goodwin Interim Editor-in-Chief

The opinions expressed in this publication and its associated Web site are not necessarily those of the University of Nevada, Reno or the student body.

www.unrinsight.com

COVER PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ.

4 | Insight | February 2010

BEHIND [insight]

Head photo editor, SEBASTIAN DIAZ, sets the stage for the February cover photo.

PHOTO BY MATT BUCCAMBUSO

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 5

PACK PROFILE INTERVIEW BY SARA KAM PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ

Rodel Maulit Age: 21 Major: Community health sciences, Pre-med

Why did you decide to attend UNR? I wanted to attend UNR for the seasonal changes and for their medical program.

Why did you choose to major in community health sciences?

The medical world became so fascinating to me in high school when I was recovering from my ankle fracture. I realized how much a medical professional can change lives. I ultimately want to become a surgeon. As of now, I’m looking into orthopedic surgery.

How are you funding your education?

For the past two years I was blessed with grants and scholarships, which paid for everything. Unfortunately, I had to take out a loan for this spring semester.

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What has your brotherhood done for you?

In the past semesters, I’ve been very fortunate to be part of such an intelligent fraternity. A fraternity brother named Tommy Cox tutored me for one whole semester so I was able to pass Chemistry 121 and 122. Besides their help in academics, having brothers is great, especially knowing that they are there for you no matter what.

When did you become interested in cheerleading and what is the most rewarding thing about belonging to the squad?

In junior year of high school, I was really determined to learn how to do back flips. So I started practicing with the cheerleaders. I learned how to flip in a day and they decided to ask me to be part of their squad. Cheerleading has kept me focused in school. Being part of a family like the UNR cheer squad was very comforting especially in my first few years in the University.

What interests do you have outside of school?

I love playing volleyball and wherever there’s water and sand, I am there.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I am hoping to be finishing up my residency at a large hospital.

What’s one random fact about you?

I’m from Hawaii, but I’ve only gone surfing once.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’d travel to Australia to see dolphins, and Czech Republic because its cool.

Rodel Maulit is a junior at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Originally from the Philippines, he and his family moved to the Hawaiin island of Maui when he was 10 years old. He is a member of the Nevada cheer squad, Phi Delta Theta and the Hawaii Club.

Best Reno hangout?

Well I’m not from Reno but bowling is always fun. For the people who are more daring, there are gymnastic places here for you to learn back flips. And the beer crawls are always fun.

Learn more about RODEL MAULIT at WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM 6 | Insight | February 2010

RODEL MAULIT flips backward, one of his many stunts for the Nevada cheer squad.

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WORDS BY NICOLE DA ROZA & SARA KAM PHOTO BY GEOFF ROSEBOROUGH

ON

CREDIT

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hey are all expenses that students pay for with government funded student loans.

For a lot of students, starting college is paired with a craving for independence and not having to rely on daddy’s wallet. However, living on their own and going to school, on top of hitting up the Little Waldorf Saloon every Thursday night, becomes expensive. Yes, the drinks happen to be only a dollar, but thankfully for the owners of the Wal, this means everyone drinks twice as much. In the end, the money still adds up and students struggle to keep their heads above water.

This trend earned some national attention when a little more than a year ago, tabloids hit the stands about Nadya Suleman, a woman carrying eight babies she conceived through artificial insemination.

Eventually the media deemed Suleman the more comical, memorable name of “Octomom” as her infamous pregnancy got coverage from throughout the nation. Despite the already unusual circum8 | Insight | February 2010

College tuition.

Plastic surgery.

Artificial insemination.

Groceries.

Cell phone bills.

What do all of these things have in common?

stances, Suleman’s situation became more scandalous when she stated to NBC News during an interview that she intends to pay for the octuplets care, and that of her six other children, with student loans. To many Americans, Suleman’s use of loans is an abuse of government money. They began to note the mentality behind this borrowing system. The questions were endlessly asked, how many young people do this? Are students just paying rent, or are they buying the latest gadgets? Why should taxes help students fund a kegger?

But here’s the real question: is it legal to use these loans for living expenses?

According to StaffordLoan.com, loans can be put towards the “total” cost of education like tuition, room and board, books and other expenses related to education.

Without a clear definition, one could interpret room and board to mean rent for their upscale condo or to justify buying a laptop as an educational expense. The apparent “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding student loans does not necessarily offer any consequences for those who are

using the money for groceries, bills and so forth. As mentioned before, the interest rate, which is fixed at 6.8 percent for graduate students and 6 percent for undergraduates, adds up to a lot of money while the student is still in school.

When college students graduate and enter the “real world,” sticky money situations can follow them for the rest of their lives. This happened to Theron Flavin, office manager of Parking and Transportation Services at the University of Nevada, Reno. Originally from Alaska, the now 35 year old began college in 1993. His tuition was covered by scholarships, but being enrolled full time left him with little time for a job. For his everyday living expenses, Flavin turned to student loans. He took out about $5,500 every year except for his last, when he requested $8,500.

The loans paid for his books, bills, transportation, meal plans, his dorm room and occasionally helped to fix up a beat up car or cover a round of drinks for his buddies.

Life was good for Flavin—or so he

thought. Instead of the college appetite for Cup Noodles and macaroni and cheese, he ate at steakhouses for dinner.

“A student’s idea of what they need is different than an adult’s idea of what they need,” Flavin says.

In the end, Flavin regrets living the high life using student loans. To this day, he is still making payments on them plus the interest.

“Money is accruing interest while the students are still in school, they don’t realize that,” he says.

Flavin is currently making monthly payments of $278.01, and will continue for many years. His advice for students who are considering taking out a loan or are new to the system is: “Student loans aren’t free money. Be realistic about how much money you need to go to school with… but don’t feel guilty about requesting what you need.”

Anita Daphnis, financial aid adviser for UNR, believes that a work ethic is all a student needs when it comes to affording college. Although Daphnis took out

about $8,000 in student loans when she was in college, she only requested what she needed for tuition and worked two jobs to keep afloat.

“You have your wants and your needs,” Daphnis says. “The latest fashion trends are not a necessity.”

Only about a year ago, taking effect on July 1, 2008, the government implemented a new plan allowing the Federal Stafford Loan program to increase the amount borrowed by about $2,000. Each year, full-time undergraduates can receive at least $5,500, while juniors and seniors can increase their borrowing limit to as much as $7,500. Also, students who are declared independents from their parents or are 24 years old or older, can borrow at least $6,000 additionally. The federal government recognizes that students can easily borrow more than is realized, and thus the Department of Education continually works on bettering loan programs. The goal is for students to better understand the terms and consequences of debt. This is partially achieved by mandating that

any student who has taken out a loan for education must complete some form of entrance counseling. In most cases at UNR, this is done online at EdFund.org.

During the 2008-2009 school year, lenders distributed about $17 billion in private loans according to the College Board. This represents a 592% increase from ten years ago. During the 2008-2009 school year, 4,511 loans were received by students at UNR. During the fall 2009 semester alone, 4,615 loans were given out, surpassing last year’s amount during the first three months. It is estimated that 60 percent of bachelor degree recipients have borrowed money to pay for their education. Additionally, the average debt of a borrower increased from $19,300 to $22,700 between 2001 and 2006.

Flavin’s predicament is not unusual— many parents are unable to fund a college education. He reminds students, “Be realistic about how much money you need to go to school with.” In translation, only hit up the Waldorf Saloon on dollar nights.

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 9

10 | Insight | February 2010

Free to TEACH Words by Katie Goodwin Photos by Courtney Spangler

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hen students arrive in and a maximum of $8,000 for a graduate Nancy Horvath’s office, degree. As wonderful as this grant sounds, they often have an idea it might not be for everyone. of what it is they want to One of the terms of the TEACH teach. Horvath, coordinator of the Student grant is that the recipient must teach Advisement Center for the College of for four years at a low-income school.

Education, listens as the undergrads list Another term is that the recipient must social studies, English and history as the teach in a high-need field, those that most desirable subjects. Horvath has a Horvath encourages students to consider list of her own, though. Math, science, specializing in. If these conditions are not reading specialist, foreign language and met, the entirety of the grant converts special education are all in high demand to a unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, for quality trained educators, and teaching and interest is charged from the date of one of these subjects disbursement. has many benefits of “Four years its own beyond the is a long already rewarding The TEACH grant is commitment, career of teaching. you also have beneficial in many aspects. but A person willing eight years to do and skilled in these It ensures that students will it,” Horvath says. subjects has a job learn from highly-trained This grant is after graduation from unlike anything university because teachers, it helps alleviate else the federal school districts always the cost of education, and, government offers need these teachers. students besides on a national level, the pool to While having a the atypical terms job after graduation of teachers becomes more of post-graduation satiates the thirst of any able and diverse. work. It is the student, something only grant that is just as appetizing is awarded regardless available to education majors—a federal of financial need. While a potential grant of up to $4,000 per year of school. recipient still must fill out the FAFSA Established in 2007 and implemented in (Free Application of Federal Student Aid) spring 2009 at the University of Nevada, in order to receive it, the only question Reno, the Teacher Education Assistance for that really matters is No. 281, which asks College and Higher Education (TEACH) of a student’s interest.

Grant gives students a maximum of Barbara Hall-Bellows, a financial aid $16,000 for their undergraduate degree officer at UNR, administers the grant. She

says that because it is so newly formed, the grant was only awarded twice during the 2008-2009 school year. It is gaining in popularity, however, with 11 students receiving the grant for the 2009-2010 year. Hall-Bellows encountered students who originally were interested in the grant, but upon learning of its terms, declined pursuing it.

“At this point in their education process, they were not fully committed to the conditions to serve,” Hall-Bellows says. Horvath sees this regularly while advising students. She says that they often are uncomfortable with the subjects that are in high demand. While she finds this understandable, she also finds the lack of willingness to get out of the comfort zone of English and history as destructive to a student’s own education.

Horvath recounts the story of one student who wanted to teach science despite her substandard math skills.

The student spent the time overcoming her shortage of skills so she could be a successful science teacher. Horvath laments that this is not the case more often.

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he College of Education requires that every student be well-rounded in the various subjects, especially if the student is an elementary education major.

Every student must take at least one introductory class in special education.

Horvath says that at some point, every teacher will work with a special needs student and the skills gained in a special 2010 February | unrinsight.com | 11

TEACH Grant

4 years

OR $4,000 per year

12 | Insight | February 2010

education class prepare the future teachers for the different situations they might face. Sometimes, students take a special education class and find that it is completely different than they expected and choose to specialize in it.

Horvath encourages students to accept the grant if they meet the basic qualifications, such as a having 3.25 GPA and are accepted already to the College of Education. She says that the TEACH grant is beneficial in many aspects. It ensures that students will learn from highly-trained teachers, it helps alleviate the cost of education and, on a national level, the pool of teachers

becomes more able and diverse.

Cathy Poe, a graduate student at UNR, realized the grant was a perfect fit for her one day while reading about financial aid options on the UNR financial aid Web site. Poe is pursuing her master’s degree in special education and plans to graduate this spring. Her only qualm about accepting the grant was the requirement to teach at a low income school.

“Four to five years post-graduation is quite a commitment as people’s circumstances and lives can change,” Poe

says. “That was the requirement that I really had to think hard about.”

Poe is currently a special education teacher and case manager at Vaughn Middle School in Reno, one of the eight area middle schools that would qualify as a low income school. Washoe County currently has 54 schools that are lowincome, including four high schools and many elementary schools. Before accepting the TEACH grant, she was paying all education expenses out of pocket.

“Since I’m a graduate student, class

tuition can run close to $800 each and then add in the cost of books and various fees,” says Poe. “It is quite a financial commitment.”

Although Poe’s tuition is more expensive than that of an undergraduate student, the reality of paying for an education is an issue that students deal with throughout their college experience. At a university where the average cost of attendance per year for a Nevada resident is about $6,500, a grant of $4,000 can go a long way.

Cathy Poe is a special education teacher at Vaughn Middle School.

She funded a portion of her master’s degree with the TEACH grant.

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 13

S T U D E vs.

NT WORKER WORDS BY STEPHANIE HOROWITZ PHOTOS BY MATT BUCCAMBUSO

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rianne Gant, a 20-year-old elementary education major, knew that paying her way through school wouldn’t be easy. Tuition, rent checks and insurance bills piling up made it quite clear that the days of mom packing a brown bag lunch and being sent off to school were definitely over. She worked throughout high school, which gave Gant a head start as far as résumés and supervisors were concerned, but maintaining a high GPA while holding two jobs and paying a university tab was a whole new battlefield.

G

ant currently takes 15 credits love my job, I love the impact I make, and a lot of tears and a lot of sack lunches for at the University of Nevada, I honestly don’t know what I would do all both the kids and Gant.

Reno. She works part-time day [without work]. I am thankful that my “Dealing with kids is unpredictable and for the City of Reno’s before parents don’t support me at 20 years old inconsistent,” Gant says. “However, I find and after school childcare program, Sierra because then they probably would never that I am always planning for work and Kids, of which she is the site supervisor at stop.” brainstorming this and that for the kids to Virginia Palmer Elementary School. For Working for the City of Reno, Gant do.” some kids, she is the first person they will works very closely with children ages 5 to Gant hopes to ultimately work with chilsee in the morning before school and the 12, which means a lot of rough mornings, dren and she says working with Sierra Kids last person they’ll see before going home. Gant acts as the children’s BRIANNE GANT works at the UNR Seismological primary care giver for six combined Laboratory recording seismic waves in Nevada. hours every morning and every evening. She listens to their stories, puts their drawings on the snack fridge and helps provide them a safe place to be beyond an unsupervised home with a TV. When Gant isn’t working at the Sierra Kids program, she works at the UNR Seismological Laboratory, where she labels seismic waves within the state.

Juggling two jobs and a full time class schedule has been difficult, but Gant stays optimistic and proud of her accomplishments.

“I think that I would work even if I didn’t need to,” Gant says. “I 14 | Insight | February 2010

gives her invaluable experience she hopes uted to growing up in an environment to carry with her to her future career in in which working wasn’t a choice, but a education. requirement.

Balancing work and school is really “I think that my mom working two only half the battle. Part of what makes jobs, being a student, and a single mother working two jobs and attending college made me view work differently than most so stressful is the people, and also constant com- With tuition steadily inmade me realize I mute between the don’t want to be creasing year after year, two. A typical day like my mom and for Gant starts out the number of college wait 10 years after with breakfast be- students who work while high school to go fore heading in at back to college,” 6:45 a.m. for the in school has increased Gant says. morning shift at by nearly 57 percent While she is Sierra Kids, which definitely worksince the year 2000, acshe works until ing more hours 9 a.m. After her cording to a study done than some of her shift, she changes by the College at Brockfellow students, out of her uniform Gant is not alone at work and heads port in New York. as a student in the to her first class of workforce. With the day. Once classes are over, she goes to tuition steadily increasing year after year, her next job at the seismology lab, leav- the number of college students who work ing enough time for some studying in the while in school has increased by nearly 57 library or finishing up some homework. percent since the year 2000, according to Gant, however, is relatively comfortable a study done by the College at Brockport with being exhausted. In fact, she almost in New York. Not only are students more celebrates it. likely to work while in school today, but “Whether it is work or school, I com- they are more likely to work full time. The pletely pack my schedule with respon- share of students working full time while sibility,” Gant says. “It keeps me on my also going to school full time has nearly toes, and I [still manage] to maintain a doubled, increasing from 5.6 percent 3.6 GPA.” in 1985 to 10.4 percent in 2000. StuHer seamless ease dealing with this dents have listed one of two reasons for indubitable juggling act may be attrib- continuing to work during school. One

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group identified themselves as “workers” who are merely attending university and declaring working at their job as their first priority, while the second group identified themselves as “students who work,” working only to pay the bills and considering school their first priority. Gant describes herself as a “student who works.”

Ultimately, her education is her biggest priority.

For most students, the hard part about working full time while in school tends to fall mostly on the “being in school” part.

The 2005 study from the College at Brockport shows a rough 10 percent point differential in graduation rates between full time and part time workers. Twenty-five percent of students who work full time are more likely to drop out of school than students who do not work full time. These statistics present an interesting Catch-22, since most employers prefer to hire people from a higher academic institution, yet also desire job experience.

Gant is one example of a student who would prefer to take on some extra jobs in order to avoid debt and interest rates later. While work experience is a great résumé booster, many employers still value an education over work experience. Work hard, play harder and hopefully some of those rough mornings will pay off.

Learn more about BRIANNE GANT at WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM 2010 February | unrinsight.com | 15

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SICKENING SACRIFICE

WORDS BY SAM DISALVO PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ

Many students cannot afford medical care, but is this something students can really bear to forfeit?

16 | Insight | February 2010

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ccording to Aetna Health Care, people between the ages Student Health Center of 18 and 24 are the most uninsured group in America.

Many students sacrifice health care for tuition costs, living expenses and other bills.

Aetna Student Health Insurance Unfortunately, accidents can lead to serious injury, leaving students with an even $2,039 per year or $877 for fall or $776 for spring larger tab than paying for health insurance in the first place.

This was especially true for Casey “The campus pharmacy can sometimes O’Lear, who recalls not having been to dure had gone smoothly.

“We have a great relationship with get contract prices because we are afthe doctor since she was 8 years old. The 19-year-old English major is without community physicians,” says Cheryl Hug- filiated with campus,” Hug-English says. health insurance, so visiting the doctor English, the UNR health center medical “[Aside from that] we completely rely on was seldom unless it was deemed abso- director. “We really appreciate the help the student health fee. We have no state and support.” or university support. We have to be fislutely necessary.

The student health center is funded cally responsible and manage money well “I’m generally of the opinion that I will be able to tough it out eventually,” O’Lear completely by UNR students. Any stu- to provide the highest quality of care.” dent enrolled in six credits or more pays a O’Lear agrees that the service was comsays.

In May of 2009, however, O’Lear found fee of $79 per semester. Students enrolled parable to her family physician and the herself in extreme throat pain and symp- in less credits can still pay the $79 in ad- center had a very professional environtoms she had never experienced before. dition to a five dollar copay per visit. The ment. She says there were even advantages After taking extra strength medicine with $79 fee entitles patients to free doctor vis- over her family physician.

“You can walk in and they will take no results, O’Lear visited the University its, family planning resources, nutrition counseling, some allergy shots and im- you,” O’Lear says. “With the regular docof Nevada, Reno health center.

The UNR Student Health Center, lo- munizations, cryogenic surgery for warts, tor, you have to make an appointment cated on the north end of campus off women’s health services and online men- far in advance. You can even make an appointment a little after their regular hours 17th Street in the Redfield building, pro- tal wellness screenings.

“I was really glad I had that option be- and they will take you pretty promptly.” vides free visits and some minor surgery.

O’Lear believes the health center to be Each member of the staff is a licensed cause I would not have been able to go see my regular doc- a very valuable resource to students withprofessional who tor,” says O’Lear. out insurance. has gone through “[At my regular “Since I first went there, I have gone medical school and residency training. “You can walk in and they will doctor] it would back another time,” O’Lear says. “It’s nice been $100 to have the option of going and knowing Although medical take you,” O’Lear says. “With have just to go in and you’re going to feel better as opposed to students do see palaying around and hoping you will feel tients at the health the regular doctor, you have to be examined.”

The health cenbetter.” center, a staff phymake an appointment far in ter also has a pharsician will always advance. You can even make macy attached ug-English says, although be accompanying the student health center is them in such cases. an appointment a little after where students can get their prea useful amenity, students The health center their regular hours and they scriptions filled should not rule out purchashas a facility which performs other ser- will take you pretty promptly.” immediately after ing health insurance. an appointment, “A huge group of students do not think vices such as blood work and x-rays for a discounted rate. or medicine needed after surgery. All they need health insurance because they’re O’Lear had acute tonsillitis, a viral infec- commonly prescribed antibiotics, such young and healthy,” Hug-English says. tion, so a tonsillectomy was not required. as amoxicillin or erythromycin, cough “Unfortunately, you never know what’s Had it been needed, the doctor at the syrups, decongestants and painkillers are around the corner.”

A supplemental student health insurhealth center would have written a refer- seven dollars, but since it is a university ral for a local doctor who could perform facility, the prices for specialty prescrip- ance plan for students enrolled in nine the surgery, as well as done a follow up tions are competitive with that of local credits or more is available through Aetna Student Health from UNR for $2,039 a with the student to make sure the proce- pharmacies.

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$79 per semester

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18 | Insight | February 2010

year, or $877 for solely the fall semester and $776 for the spring semester.

“Once they leave our facility, we have no control over the pricing,” Hug-English says. “Supplementary health insurance helps them with those procedures outside of the health center.”

The health insurance plan coverage varies depending on the standing of the student. If the student is an undergraduate, the plan is more expensive versus if the student is a graduate or international student. For an undergraduate student, the plan will cover up to $100,000 a year in medical expenses with a $300 deductible, meaning any serious medical procedure center exceeding this deductible amount will be covered by Aetna. The deductible is completely waived at the student health center. When using the preferred care providers under this health insurance plan, 80 percent of the negotiated charge of serious medical procedures such as chemotherapy, radiation and joint dysfunction will be covered, while only 60 percent of the negotiated charge will be covered under a non-preferred care provider.

This plan still requires the student to pay certain copays under certain circumstances. Emergency room visits require a $100 copay and urgent care visits require a $50 copay. Generic prescription drugs are 100 percent covered beyond a $10 copay, while brand name prescription drugs require a $20 copay before being fully covered.

Insurance broker Elizabeth Griffin says the $100,000 aggregate per policy year maximum on this particular group plan concerns her. Being that it is a group plan, it can be more pricy because it’s guaranteed issue to anyone that applies, however, its aggregate maximum is relatively low in comparison to individual plans.

“Most individual plans don’t base [aggregate maximums] per policy year,” Griffin says. “They put a lifetime maximum between two and five million dollars. If a student gets a severe injury, in a terrible accident, organ failure or cancer, you would blow through $100,000 easy.”

Griffin realizes the plan is geared toward mostly healthy, college-aged students, but, like Hug-English, points out that

Casey O’Lear benefited from the services available at the Student Health Center when she developed tonsillitis

other factors can play a part in a student’s health other than age. “[UNR’s insurance plan] could pose a problem to anyone with adverse risk behavior in the event of serious injuries,” Griffin says. “However, three million dollars does not. You should always look at an insurance policy, not to take care of every little sniffle and sneeze, but for catastrophic coverage.”

Aside from the lifetime maximum indi-

vidual plans offer, they often cost less per month than the insurance plan offered through UNR, which the cost equals $169.92 per month. For a healthy 21-yearold male, UnitedHealthOne offers an individual plan with a $500 deductible for $125.99 per month. This plan has a $3 million lifetime maximum. Several other individual plans had comparable coverage. Griffin says the plan UNR offers is not a bad option for students, but some 2010 February | unrinsight.com | 19

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consideration to individual plans may pay off in the event of significant injury.

“We know [serious health conditions] don’t happen with younger people, however genetics play a part,” Griffin says.

“Severe head injuries could put someone in the ICU or even life support.”

Between deciding what degree of illness warrants a visit to the doctor and shopping around for health insurance options, students are burdened by the cost of medical care. Healthcare reform is currently being met with opposition and questioning due to the possibility of heightened taxes and cuts to medical facilities. Conversely, the bill President Obama is proposing would provide health insurance to 518,000 uninsured Nevadans. Most college students who are insured are covered by their parents’ insurance, which usually drops them between the ages of 19 and 22. Under the proposed healthcare bill, the overall dependent age would be raised from 22 to 26 in every state, allowing more collegeaged students and graduates to be covered for longer. This includes basic preventa-

“Even in a down economy, life is more important than capital. Living is a primary right for all people; it comes before everything.”

tive care, coverage for someone with a pre-exisiting condition, or someone who develops a sudden, serious illness. Those opposed to the bill would say this is cutting necessary funding from facilities and creating high taxes, but those in support say health care should be a guarantee rather than a choice.

“Higher taxes are irrelevant here,” says English major Sterling Hall, 18. “Even in a down economy, life is more important than capital. Living is a primary right for all people; it comes before everything.”

Other college students agree they are definitely a demographic in need of healthcare assistance.

“I think that, with as much emphasis on undergrad and graduate degrees in

the job market now, the added coverage will help students,” says computer science major Evan Grill, 25. “The students that I know that aren’t being supported by parents are living well below the poverty line and could never afford health care on their own.”

When asked if Hug-English believed a cut in funding was inevitable for the UNR health center, she remained optimistic and hopeful for such a plan.

“It won’t affect the health center per say,” Hug-English says. “We like it when students have health insurance coverage.

If they need extra service or specialty care, it’s going to be more available to them and affordable. I think that’s a good thing.”

Hall agrees that more students having access to healthcare is certainly a plus.

“Anything the government can do to spread this health to others is a job well done.”

See what students think of the Student Health Center at WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM

WE WANT YOU! Insight Magazine is looking for: WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHERS MULTIMEDIA PRODUCERS BLOGGERS for more information email: k a tie @ u n rin sight.com

20 | Insight | February 2010

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22 | Insight | February 2010

A CHILD SAVED WORDS BY CODY LISKA PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ AND CODY LISKA

I

n order to progress as individuals, people must build on their past. For the average person, this idea of recollection might be reserved for nostalgic memories of yesteryear, like a first kiss or a family vacation, not the first time you had to sleep outside because you were homeless. Or the time you had to defend your mom against your dad with a baseball bat. Seventeen years ago, this was J.J.’s reality.

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 23

J

J.J. grew up in a hostile environment— most kids in his position do—so domestic violence wasn’t anything new. Seeing mom and dad slap each other around was just something that happened, like snow blowing off the peak of a mountain or a cat scurrying across the street. It was a weekly, if not daily, occurrence. So was seeing his parents carry out some conniving scheme, one of which involved creating a car accident in hopes of acquiring money. On one occasion, his dad’s luck was twofold. He left the twisted, rigid, metal of the wreckage unscathed. His reward for doing so was about $2,500, paid for by the unwitting recipient of the con.

The money didn’t last long though. It was soon squandered away on drugs. This was all too common for J.J. His parents had an affinity for half-baked schemes. They were dreamers with an addiction—an addiction that had the final say in all matters.

Every now and then, J.J.’s parents would have a period of clarity, during which they functioned as loving, affectionate caregivers. They went shopping. They bought J.J. clothes. They acted as a family. For a time, his parents even lived in a house off Uni-

24 | Insight | February 2010

versity Terrace. A tax return had granted classroom is filled with Children In Tranthem this umpteenth chance to right their sition (CIT), or homeless students. Today wrongs. Just like all their other living situ- the room is empty, save for a Homeless ations, this one held the promise of a Liaison for the Washoe County School family. But just as District, Gloria Braeverything started It’s 5:00 p.m. on a Mon- tiotis. to come together, “Right now there day. The dusky evening are people on the everything fell apart. Their best light accentuates a seem- street that had a job intentions were yesterday,” Bratiotis ingly endless crowd of says. “We’re all vulsoon obscured by a thick cloud of drug bodies. It’s almost dinner nerable of becoming dependency and time on Record Street homeless.” before J.J. knew Bratiotis is in the and nobody seems to no- process of packing up it, his parents were off on another wild tice the crisp, frigid air. her office. In the comgoose chase. At a ing days, the CIT diglance, the pursuit vision will be spread promised all the out across the county. same misfortunes of past pursuits. How- Some will be transferred to different ofever, this time it was different. This time fices, while others will be transferred to J.J. would be presented with a relation- schools within the district. The move ship that would act as a ray of hope in his doesn’t bother Bratiotis, since the buildotherwise gloomy life. ing is relatively new to her. She has only The afternoon sun beams through the been working in the office building on slits in the blinds, exposing the interior of 535 Plumb Lane for the past four years. the room. For all intents and purposes, the However, she has worked as a homeless room is a classroom. In fact, it is the only liaison for the better part of 14 years. classroom in the building. Some days this

I

{

It’s 5 p.m. on a Monday. The dusky evening light accentuates a seemingly endless crowd of bodies. It’s almost dinner time on Record Street and nobody seems to notice the crisp, frigid air. At times, the ambience is not unlike the atmosphere of a school—men and women mingling and chitchatting back and forth about their day. However, it doesn’t take long to realize that this is no place for a child. On the far side of the nearby train tracks, two silhouetted figures start to argue about the placement of a sleeping bag.

“Get out of here,” a weathered voice yells, but just as the altercation begins Gloria Bratiotis’ Children In Transition classroom to escalate, something more important catches people’s attention. Roll call. Anyone wishing to receive a meal must first put their name on a list. At school,” Bratiotis says. “I told him I could seemed impossible all those years ago.

5:30 p.m., this list is read. The conversion help.”

“When he lived with me, every once in from a buzzing crowd to a stifled line is Bratiotis offered her home as a place to a while, he would make a face,” Bratiotis uncanny. live. While a bed replaced the couches J.J. says. “It was like he couldn’t believe he “They get pretty quiet when you start had previously been occupying, Bratiotis made it this far. He made that face on his reading the rules and calling out names,” assumed the role of something he had wedding day.” says Scott Wallace, who mans the front been deprived of his The dimming light showing through desk at the Renowhole life: a respon- the blinds reveals Bratiosis’s face. The Sparks Gospel Missible role model. It last few hours of reminiscence have left sion. “They don’t didn’t take long for her eyes glossy and her cheeks wet. The wanna miss out While a bed replaced the him to adjust to his room’s not dark, but it isn’t all that bright, on a hot meal.” couches J.J. had previously new suburban life. either. It’s not until the overhead lights are After dinner, After all, it was easier switched on that clarity is regained. Bratithe crowd is re- been occupying, Bratiotis as- than the one he had otis provides homeless juveniles with the assembled and sumed the role of something spent in poverty. tools needed to flip the proverbial lightlouder than beDinner was always switch, whether or not they use these tools fore. The most he had been deprived of his served and, most im- is entirely up to them. J.J. is an example of noticeable differ- whole life: a responsible role portantly, there was a “child saved,” as Bratiotis would put it. ence now is the a roof over his head. He used the tools and not only flipped the model. elevated hostility.

This time, it was per- light-switch, but he took it a step further A good portion manent. and constructed a home. of the crowd appears to be on the same The arrangement offered J.J. a chance Unfortunately, J.J. is the exception, not wavelength as the aggravated, weathered to “see how the other half lives,” as Brati- the rule. And just as a child can be saved, voice heard before roll call. otis puts it. This turned out to be one of it can be lost all the same.

“This is not where you want to end up,” the reasons why it was so difficult for him “There are kids out there that you can Bratiotis says. to spend time with his parents. get close to, but you just can’t save,” BraSuffice it to say, this is what Bratiotis “Every time he visited his parents, he tiotis says. helped J.J. avoid. would strip in the garage and wash his Bratiotis has found that it takes hope By the time J.J. met Bratiotis, he was clothes,” Bratiotis said. “He couldn’t stand to save someone. The saved can’t be hopeworking a retail job. He had no perma- the smell.” less. Likewise, the hopeless can’t be saved. nent residence, was struggling in school Ten years ago, J.J. made an effort to Bratiotis believes in hope and she believes and barely making enough money to sus- avoid a life in homelessness. When he left that her division of the school district is tain what little needs he had.

Bratiotis’s home, he joined the Air Force making a difference in these homeless “When I first met J.J., he was couch Reserves. After the Reserves, he got his children’s lives. surfing, working and trying to finish high personal pilot’s license— something that 2010 February | unrinsight.com | 25

26 | Insight | February 2010

Now What?

One student’s perspective on her approaching graduation

WORDS BY JESSICA ESTEPA PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ

I

click “Submit” on the university Web site, and it’s done. Eight semesters, 128 or so credits, good grades, bad decisions—it’s all come down to this $66 application. It’s the end of my academic career and the beginning of my future.

C

ome May 15, I’ll be one of about 2,000 people crossing that small stage on the Quad. I’m ready to shake hands with University of Nevada President Milton Glick and my dean. I’m ready to pose for a thousand photos with family and friends.

I’m ready to be a college graduate.

The origin of the word “graduate” comes from the Latin word “gradus,” which means “step.” That’s what we’re all doing, I guess—taking those first steps into the wild unknown.

Corny, I know. But maybe a dose of corniness is needed right now.

I like to pretend that it’s mostly exhilarating to be almost done with my degree, to see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel of papers and tests. I even consider myself lucky; after all, I’m going to have a bachelor’s degree and I won’t have any loans to repay.

But that doesn’t change the uncertainty.

In the last few weeks, I’ve spoken with my bosses at work, various relatives, even strangers. They all have the same question: “So, what’s next?

I give them a rehearsed response.

“Oh, I’m applying for internships right now. If I haven’t landed anything by March, I figure I’ll start applying for full-time jobs … Yes, my lease is up in May. My parents said I’m more than welcome to move back in with them.”

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 27

It sounds so solid, doesn’t it? Kind of like I know what I’m doing.

But here’s the honest response, the one I never say out loud.

“I’m a senior. Whoa. I’m graduating in May. How many months is that? *counts* Four months … And my lease is up in May. I probably won’t have a job, or even any prospects. Oh. My. God. What am I doing with my life? Oh. My. F---ing. God. What if I have to move back to Las Vegas? With my parents?”

I try to keep the nervous breakdowns to a minimum, instead envisioning a life where I earn enough money to have a roof over my head and food to eat. I ignore the realities of a lack of health insurance and more bills than I know what to do with.

The post grad plans change every day and include: - going to graduate school (because what I really need right now is more school)

28 | Insight | February 2010

- auditioning for American Idol (though will it be any good without Simon?)

- becoming a bohemian (no day but today!)

- moving to Sweden (one word: IKEA) - working at the Harry Potter Pottertheme theme park (no explanation required) I suppose uncertainty is what graduation is all about. But even if I don’t know what I’m doing, the facts won’t lie. The economy is still in recovery. The unemployment rate is at nearly 10 percent as of December 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. My fellow graduates and I aren’t the only ones looking for jobs right now. We’re up against those who have been in the workforce before, those who have been laid off. The ambiguous odds seemed stacked against us.

Of course, I’m graduating with a bachelor’s in journalism.

I can wax

philosophical and go on about the importance of a free and unbiased press in our society, but let’s face it: my industry of choice is in turmoil.

Had you asked me four years ago what I expected to be doing when I graduated from college, I would have replied that I was going to work for a newspaper. I would have said that I knew it didn’t pay much, but it’s what I’ve wanted to do with my life for years.

I know better now. The newspapers I did my first internship at were shut down in October. Our local paper, paper the the Reno Reno Gazette-Journal, laid Gazette-Journal, laid off off aa number number of of people whom I worked with when I was there during the summer of 2008. More likely than not, my journalistic future isn’t going to be in newspapers.

Hence the numerous post grad plans aforementioned.

I’m not alone. After all, 80 percent of 2009 grads moved back in with their parents after completing their degrees, according to CollegeGrad.com. I can only assume that my fellow 20-somethings are trying to find jobs and figure

out their lives simultaneously.

My roommate, Amy Lauder, hopes she won’t be in that boat, but she admits that she’s in that same uncertainty bubble.

“It’s terrifying,” she says. “I will have no job, no money and no place to live.”

Rather than accept that our future hopelessness as inevitable, Amy and I like to sit around and drink coffee, daydreaming of nonexistent apartments and plans to move to a climate where it doesn’t snow very much, like Portland.

We talk about graduate school being a viable part of her future (meaning, she’s actually gone to the trouble to apply, whereas I like to think of it as a vague possibility). She’s applied to Berkeley, UW, Boston University of U Washington, and Penn. She Boston has aUplan and

–Penn. master’s She degree has a plan—master’s and down the degree higher education and down road the higher of teaching. education road of teaching.

“If I don’t get in, I’ll do something else,” “If Ishe don’t tellsget me. in, I’ll do something else,” Butshe what? tells me.

“I don’t But what? know.”

Ah,don’t “I the three know.” words that define my life right Ah,now. the three words that define my life right Maybe now.it’ll become clearer after I’ve donned Maybemy it’llcap become and gown. clearerThat’s afterwhat I’ve I like to believe, donned my capanyway. and gown. That’s what I likeAntoold believe, friendanyway. of mine, Tim Taycher, says Anit’sold not friend that of simple. mine,After Tim finishTaycher, ing his says it’s degree not that in simple. three and After a half finishyears, he’s his ing moved degree back in home three and to Vegas. a half He’s years, living he’s moved with his backparents home to to save Vegas. onHe’s rent and working living with hisforparents his mother’s to savenonprofit on rent organization, and working for an his opportunity mother’s nonprofit for him to do tech consulting organization, an opportunity and research. for him to doHe’s techlooking consulting for aand jobresearch. with the government, He’s looking a political for a jobcamwith paign the government, or a nonprofit. a political He hasn’t landed campaign or aanything nonprofit. yet, hasn’t He but that’s landed partanyof the process. thing yet, but that’s

part “I of know the that process. in the long term, things are“Igoing knowtothat turninout thefor long theterm, best,”things Tim says.going are “Butto inturn this economy out for theand best,” in these Tim tough“But says. times, in Ithis have economy to remain andpositive in thesefor about the tough times, next I have year or to remain so.” positive for about He’sthe right. nextThings year oralways so.” work themselves He’sout. right.

Maybe Things notalways alwayswork for the thembest, like Tim selves out.says, Maybe but not theyalways work out. for the best, likeCase Timinsays, point: butfour theyyears workago, out.I was in myCase senior in point: year offour highyears school. ago,I’dI was beenin accepted my seniortoyear New ofYork high University, school. I’d been and hell or high accepted to New water,York I was University, going, even andif it meant hell or Ihigh would water, be more I was than going, $200,000 even if it in debtIby meant would the time be more I graduated than $200,000 and even if my in debtparents by thewere timeagainst I graduated the idea. and even if my Timparents and I were were sitting againstinthe ouridea. anatomy class, Timrelating and I were our future sittingdilemmas. in our anatomy He was inrelating class, the same ourboat; future he’ddilemmas. been accepted He to Manhattanville was in the same boat; College he’d been in New accepted York, andManhattanville to he couldn’t afford College it, either. in New York, and That’s he couldn’t when we afford decided it either. that we could always That’sgowhen to UNR. we decided It’d savethat us some we could money,go always and towe UNR. could It’dalways save us transfer some later anyway.and we could always transfer later money, anyway.

Four years later, Tim’s a proud Wolf Pack Four graduate, years later, I’m Tim’s almosta proud there, and Wolf thingsgraduate, Pack have worked I’m almost out. there, and things And have I have worked faith that out.they will again.

Despite And I the haveeconomy, faith thatdespite they will theagain. failing newspaper Despite theindustry, economy,despite despitethe thelack failing of health insurance newspaper industry, anddespite a concrete the lack plan,of things will health insurance work out. and a concrete plan, things For better will work or worse, out. they always do.

For better or worse, they always do.

Listen to more seniors discuss graduation at WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM

2010 February | unrinsight.com | 29

In Hindsight 30 | Insight | February 2010

“Lincoln Hall is the institution or organization - call it what you like - that makes a college education possible for at least an hundred men.

Most of these men are working their way through college; and the existence of Lincoln Hall, with its splendid accommodations at practically no expense to those who make it their home, is one of the reasons why these men are attending the University of Nevada.

A man who works for an education is appreciative of its benefits. It follows that he is conscientious in his studies. Such are Lincoln Hall men. Yet they are not ‘grinds’ by an means. They are a jolly crowd, would rather be in good spirits than bad, and if left alone, would rather sleep than eat, especially in mornings. But it’s a hall tradition that the cold tub or a visit to Manzaniti in pajamas awaits the man who slumbers late.” - ARTEMISIA 1918 Take a video tour of Lincoln Hall at WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM 2010 February | unrinsight.com | 31

SEBASTIAN DIAZ

This publication is made possible by the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno.

GET MORE INSIGHT AT WWW.UNRINSIGHT.COM