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Show 4 Signpost Friday, May 13, 1983 EdiTORiAl Students get better deal Students now have the opportunity to take advantage of a new way to conduct their banking. The" recent decision to allow Weber State students to join the Weber State College Employees Federal Credit Union is a big plus for all students. ASWSC president Bruce Richeson has worked throughout the year to make it possible for students to join the credit union. The effort started last fall and the final decision was made only recently. It was necessary to change the credit union's charter with the national organization that governs credit unions in order to allow students membership in the group. Richeson should be commended for his untiring efforts on behalf of the students, in making membership in the organization possible. The real advantage will go to students who do not now have the opportunity to join a credit union through other sources. Credit unions have historically paid a higher rate of interest on savings and checking accounts than commercial banks have offered. Other advantages are also available to students through the credit union. Opening an account at the credit union, in effect makes the account holder a co-owner with all other account holders. Students may join the credit union effective immediately. There is a one-time charge of one dollar to join and a $25 minimum balance is required in a savings account. This is a unique opportunity available to students. Students now have a heavy responsibility to manage their accounts with care, so that they do not create problems for the credit union. Over-drawn checking accounts and delinquent loan payments will not create a good rapport between students and the credit union staff. However, proper management of student accounts will creat that good will. Once again, thanks to Bruce Richeson for following through on this project. His effort will provide a real service to the Weber State studentbody. U.S. capitol falling apart by Steve Largent Editor-in-Chief One of the big debates in Congress currently is whether or not to appropriate funds to repair the United States Capitol building. Part of the exterior support of the building has been decaying for many years. Wooden supports have been installed along the west front to help hold up the crumbling pillars. The wooden supports have been painted the same color as the Capitol. Only careful observation will reveal the wooden pillars. The wooden pillars were only meant to be temporary, but they have been there for years. Recently, a big chunk of the stone fell from the building. This has in part stirred the debate in Congress. Many are fearful that a piece of stone will fall down again and hit an unsuspecting tourist. This could have serious repercussions if it were to occur. It is estimated that it will cost a significant sum of money to repair the Capitol. Many senators and representatives feel that the money should not be appropriated to repair the Capitol at this time. Others feel that an effort to repair the building should begin immediately. The J.S. Capitol is a source of pride and a symbol of freedom for all Americans. How Congress can stand by and allow this beautiful building to fall apart is beyond comprehension. If they are going to allow the capitol to deteriorate, then they will allow the entire nation to deteriorate. Funds should be appropriated by Congress for the repair and maintenance of the Capitol building.- This effort should not be delayed. The U.S. Capitol should remain a source of pride for each and every American. If you feel so inclined, write to your U.S. senator or representative and urge them to appropriate funds to repair the United States Capitol. Letters... At what price Tax Freedom Day? To the Editor: Everyone readily agrees with tax cuts that enable the average American to buy an extra movie, a pound or two of hamburger, and maybe one extra payment to the doctor per year. But what price are we paying for these extra dollars? In 1983, we are seeing in the state of Utah, the highest continuous percentage of unemployment since the depression. The average rate of unemployment during 1983 was 8.9 percent. These unemployed are not habitual welfare "frequenters" (welfare recipients are not even figured in the percentages), but men. women, and especially youths who would under normal circumstances choose to work. And what if unemployment benefits run out for these would be workers? They can divorce their wives so their children won't have to starve. There are no two- parent welfare programs in Utah. We have seen a return to the soup kitchens and transient shelters of the Hoover Administration. When questioned as to their transient situation, a good portion suggested they left their homes and families to strike out across the nation looking for work. When work wasn't available, they were too depressed and disillusioned to return home with the discouraging news. More women are in the labor force than have been in years. Fifty one percent of the total labor force in Utah are now women and they still make 59 cents on the dollar as compared to their male counterparts. These are women from traditional backgrounds who would for the most part, rather be home taking care of their families but because of economic stresses must work in order for the family to survive. On July 1. welfare payments in the state of Utah will decrease an average of 19-25 percent, depending on the size of the family the largest families taking the greatest cuts. The amount awarded will be approximately 52.2 percent of the "Basic Standard Needs Budget." This BSNB is based on what it costs a family to survive in the state of Utah. We generously give our recipients hall of that. So. my fellow "Tax Freedom Day" celebrants, we tan enjoy ourselves one day sooner, but again, at what price (tax) freedom? It's hard for me to celebrate someone else's pain. Maybe next year we can celebrate those who are forced to live on one quarter of the survival level if they can. indeed, survive. Jean Tau'a WSC student Are retreats & conferences necessary? To the Editor: After reading about the annual student leadership conference, the spring retreat, the summer retreat, the winter retreat, the conventions, the social activities with other student leaders, the CULT board retreat, etc., I am wondering who the student government officers are most concerned about. Less than 15 of the students at WSC are the traditional college student single and 18 to 22 years old. The "nontraditional" students make up the majority of the studentbody. They are here to learn a trade, graduate and start their careers. Most of these "nontraditional" students are supporting spouses and children by working one and sometimes two jobs while attending school. They don't have the time, interest or money to go to New Wave stomps and Leg Auctions. Why must they continue to pay for them? Why are they footing the bill for. reunions? The groups singled out are now alumni. That is one of the purposes of the alumni office. The students don't have the responsibility for alumni, or shouldn't. Call the alumni office and see if they aren't willing to help. Brad Howell and company, can you justify to us all of your parties, retreats, conferences, social activities, reunions, etc.? Are they really necessary? Would you consider them beneficial and worthwhile if you had to pay for them out of your own pocket? These other 10.000 plus students are paying for them and don't know that they are. I understand you are not married. Brad, and I doubt that you have to worry about rent, doctor bills, utilities, tuition, house payments or babysitter expenses. A lot of students do and they cannot afford you! Put yourself in their shoes and consider their needs. Afterall, they are the largest part of the studentbody. You made promises in your campaign and 1 challenge you to keep them. Diane Kearl Spouse of WSC student Please spend student fee money wisely To the Editor: I wish I had been present at the recent meeting of the student-body officers when they appropriated large sums of money for their own recreation and voted down the funding of an educational program. 1 would have liked to hear their reasoning behind this action because I personally can see no justification in this disqustinq waste. In what way do these retreats benefit the studentbody whose money goes to pay for them? And are these benefits significant enough to warrant a $26,000 investment? I hardly think so. Last I heard, Weber State had been shorted by state funding. If that is so. why are our student-body officers taking such liberty with those precious, few dollars? Shouldn't the money go toward bettering education here at WSC? Perhaps one of the officers will have enough honor to write a full explanation and publish it in the Signpost so that the entire studentbody can be enlightened in an attempt to better understand their actions. Mark A. Thompson WSC student |