The Stetson Reporter

"Florida's Oldest Collegiate Newsp/zper" Stetson University DeLaud, Florida Volume 104, Issue 16 February 19,1992 FloridaTuition Cut Backs Twice Proposed By Derek Ashworth Staff Reporter This is the first in a series of reports in which the Reporter will assess the impact of the state budget on Stetson students. In their reluctance to pass any new taxes in an election year, Florida legislators in both the House and Senate last week passed separate versions of proposed budgets that are certain to have an impact on Florida's college students, including those at Stetson. In a telephone-interview with a representative from the Senate Appropriations Office, $16.3 million has been allocated for the state tuition voucher for the 92- 93 academic year. The voucher for the current 91-92 academic year was already reduced from $18.2 million to $17.2 million (with each student receiving $990) during the December special session. "Simple mathematics can already reveal the possibility that the voucher could be lowered Opinior isp2 News p4 Stetson Style P6 Campus Life p8 Sports plO even more," the Appropriations Office warned. However, the voucher continues to have strong support from legislators and no hint of political controversy has surfaced over the program that benefits nearly 80,000 Florida students. ~ Ironically, the state could save itself money If it -encouraged students to attend private colleges and universities through raising the voucher to a suggested $2400. The remainder of the tuition would be met with grants, loans, and family income. Currently the state pays nearly $5800 a year to educate a student at a public university with the student responsible for about $1500. If next year's estimated 10,000 additional students to Florida's education system attend private schools, it would cost the state $24 million versus roughly $58 million if they were accepted into the public university system. Such reasoning has attracted the attention of House Speaker, T.K. Wetherell, who has been working with, the House Post- Secondary Education Committee to create a bill that would make increased state aid available to students in private schools. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate are exploring tax proposals to raise monies for education and other needs. The budgets passed by the lawmakers are based on the "reality budget" which Governor Chiles proposed to show how much Floridian could suffer if new taxes are not seriously considered. Similarly, other state-aid programs that benefit private school students also face the threat of cuts. Students from' Florida State University have already shown their concern over potential budget cuts through rallies in Tallahassee. Yet, those attending private schools like Stetson must also realize that they, too, are certain to feel the impact of Florida's potential "bare-bones" budget. Cut uacks in trie budget show thai Hie siaie vouia more students attended private universities. SU'vH snUsity ij Aid Public Safety By Reporting Campus Solicitation By Karen J. Beckett News Editor A recent incident iu several residence halls has brought up many concerns from the students living In them-their safety. On Tuesday, Feb. 4, a group known as "Feed America First" or Save the Humans" made rounds to several of the residence halls asking for and collecting donations for their organization. They knocked on doors and said that they were issuing citations for not enough partying or too much studying, or something similar, and then proceeded to tell you that for a $15 donation they would give you a t-shirt. Public Safety was contacted and officers arrived at Emily and Stet son Halls to investigate. They managed to track down the group in upper Carson and according to Public Safety Chief, Alice Ansel- mo and Officer Jim Myers, they were issued a verbal warning for trespassing and were escorted off campus. They took the names of the people to investigate the company, which they were told was based in Brooklyn, but did not find any record of it. Other types of solicitation that have occurred before Include magazine sales, book buy backs and used book sales (not associated with the bookstore), perfume and even food. Any solicitation on campus must be approved by Campus Life, Public Safely and the Bus iness Office. According to Anselmo and Myers, most of the solicitation is not reported. "Companies hire young people from around the country and drive then cross country to college campuses. They drop them off in groups to sell and then pick them up later," said Anselmo. Although the t-shirt incident gave many people a scare, most incidents, are not reported. "We get about two to four complaints a semester," said Myers. Things that students can do to prevent solicitors and other trespassers from getting into the residence halls are: See Safety3page 5 News Shorts All organizations who have made changes in officers, advisors or constitution and by-laws since registering with the Student Life office last or this semester needs to contact Andrew Daire (822- 7222) for a new 1991-92 Organizational Registration form. The JUDO CLUB was rechart- ed on February 7, 1992 and is open to all students who are or have taken the Judo class and/or have a strong interest in the history and technique of this art. Contact Catrease Johnson (Box 7873) for more information. Hillel Foundation was rechart ed on February 10, 1992, and is open to all Jewish students or any student strongly interested in the Jewish heritage. For more information contact Greg Henberger at 738-6307 or Box 7889,