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Show A8 NEWS Hunger banquet helps By Lex Bourgeous News Writer Over 150 people from the campus and community attended the Service Learning Council's Hunger Banquet on Thursday, Feb.17. The event, which brings awareness to poverty issues, was part of the council's activities for Social Justice Week on campus. Those who attended were given one of three colored tickets upon entering. Each color represented a different social class. The classes were upper class, middle class and lower class. Each ticket also contained a fictional bio for that ticket holder. Those in the upper income bracket, making up 15 percent of participants, were served dinner seated at a table with linens and servers. The meal consisted of lime chicken, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, salad and sherbet for dessert. One upper class bio read that the individual sold postcards on the street in Jerusalem from 9 a.m. to midnight every day. "We were excited to get upper class and then we read the card," said student Laura Graham. "Then we felt guilty that this is considered upper class outside of our country." The middle class ticket holders, making up 35 percent of participants, received a meal of pizza and soda to eat while seated on chairs in the ballroom. One middleincome person's bio said that he owned a sugar plantation in the Dominican Republic, but they were fortunate to have hired hands. "I think it is a really creative way to help us see what is going on in the world," said student Megan Rowley. Apartheid laws had forced another student, a farmer in South Africa, from his land, but through government projects, he was able to reclaim the land. "It is eye-opening to see how many people in life aren't guaranteed a meal every day," said student Nathan Northcott. "A couple slices of pizza and soda is everyday life for me." The low-income ticket holders made up the remaining 50 percent of participants. This group was seated on a floor covered with newspa- pers and served rice, beans, tortillas and water. "I didn't realize how many people were going hungry," said student Kathy Ivie. "Little kids are going to bed hungry and it breaks my heart." Students interested in serving on campus or in the community can contact the Service Learning department in LC 205. Andrew Peterson/UVU Review Students paid to eat like most of the world at the hunger banquet., with the majority of the students eating beans and rice. Women and post-secondary education Utahns fall short of the national average By Paula Rogel Staff Writer According to Utah Women and Education Project research, Utah ranks last in the country in the percentage of female students enrolled in postsecondary institutions. A two-year study conducted by the UWEP, however, reveals how low college attendance and graduation rates can be changed. The results will be presented to the public in a series of 12 user-friendly snapshots. The first three snapshots have been released and detail the value of higher education for women as well as the individual influence a mother and father have on their daughters' college decisions. While 96.3 percent of participants in the study agreed that a college degree would benefit them finan- cially, most failed to recognize any other advantages of obtaining a degree. UWEP's findings, however, show potential benefits in several areas including social, civic, economic, health, parenting, intellectual and self-development. Even though 96.3 percent realize the potential financial benefits, many women don't plan to work outside the home after marriage. As a result, they feel they will never use a college degree. Only 20 percent of the young women surveyed believed they could use their degree to teach their own children or be positive role models to them, an example of the lack of understanding about the broad value of a college education. Perceptions such as these prevent young women in Utah from attending college. Those that do attend do not feel as high an expectation to graduate. Many participants said their mothers wanted them to attend college; however, wanting is not enough. Mothers who were actively engaged in their daughters' life significantly increased the likelihood of college attendance and graduation. According to the study, one of the most important ways for mothers to be actively engaged was to be an educational role model by attending themselves, having frequent discussions about college and its value, assisting with college and financial aid applications, helping with homework and encouraging good grades. A fathers' influence is just as important. Young women in the study who had graduated from college were significantly more likely to have had fathers who read to them when they were young, helped with homework, attended school and cultural events and created learning experiences for them. "I do regret not finishing college earlier in life," said Joan Palmer, a non-traditional student and mother of 5 adult children. "Although my parents are absolutely wonderful, they do not believe in a college education." Palmer is among the minority of women who return to college later in life and obtain a degree. She admits it is much better to get an education while one is young and has years to utilize it. As a result, education is strongly emphasized in her family. All five of Palmer's children have college degrees, including her two daughters. The UWEP is currently in the process of informing the public about the research in order to facilitate change. "I did this research because we need a change in the state," said Susan Madsen, director of the Utah Women and Education Project and an associate professor of management in the Business department. "When you want to make a change, you need to get a lot of people involved." Madsen has been presenting her findings all over the state at conferences, to high school counselors and local and state leaders, including the commissioner of higher education and the governor's office. "It's already making a difference and getting people motivated on different levels," said Madsen. The research snapshots will continue to be released over the next few months. Students can follow the project at www.UVU.edu/wep c BODY IMAGE cik ttio IR Financial literacy classes By Vanessa Perkins News Writer With a struggling economy and an increasing amount of needs in today's society, people find it hard to juggle phone, car and rent payments — especially on top of tuition. To increase financial literacy in Utah County, the UVU PRSSA is holding free classes on campus about budgeting and credit management on Feb. 23 in SC 206C from 7-8 p.m. and March 8 in Center Stage from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the National Bateman Case Study competition, UVU's two teams, "Knowledge Is Money" and "Own Your Finances," must hold classes to educate their communities about finances. "Using your finances wisely while you're in college will help you so much in the future," said Marshall Sanders, a member on the Knowledge Is Money team. "More college students drop out of college because of debt than bad grades." Classes are free and open to the public and everyone is encouraged to bring friends and family. The classes are designed to teach important tips regarding using and maintaining good credit, how to improve your credit score and helpful budgeting and money-saving tips. "We also want people to understand that it's never too late to fix your financial situation," said Jill Kaufusi of the Own Your Finances team. "Understanding credit and all that it entails is the first step in the right direction." Both of the teams are giving tips to manage money and will post other meeting times through Twitter. For this and more information, follow either team @KnowingMoney or @OwnYourFinances. ON° RESET N A141 ins r February 23 & 24 10 am to 2 pm Hall of Flags 5K Indoor Run/Wall( Register early at Campus Connection. RUN IN DRY SH ES. NO SNOW INDOOR 5K. Sponsored By UVU Wellness Program SC 221 Feb 27, 2010, 9:00 am Center Stage. Registration begins at 8:00 am. Registration is $10 in advance, $15 day of the race. FREE t-shirt and FREE pancake breakfast after the race! All proceeds will go to the UVU Habitat for Humanity House. Questions? Call 863-8786. Miss A Be• uty Pct brwyri ome enjoy a taste of Africa Iture from147QTat.: South, Central nd North Africa Free Af n Food Performances from UVU, BYU, US BYUI, T e Burundi Drummer nd The Saturday Feb U 7:00p Gate fee: $5 for Students$ 10 2011 Ballroom to I I for Faculty and non-Faculty Ticket Available at Campus Connection '7 • Ar. |