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Show wsusignpost.com Mm Orientation 2004 y : Finding affordable insurance Health care coverage, options difficult to choose By CANDICE DALLIN business editor The Signpost As of August 2003, Weber State University students lost the option to receive affordable health insurance through the University. According to Colette Cooper, WSU Student Health Center office specialist, GM-Southwest, the former insurance carrier, proposed an approximate 30 percent increase in premiums for student health insurance. After receiving the proposal from, university officials decided to stop offering the service. "They (GM-Southwest) were paying out more in claims than they were receiving in premiums," Cooper said. Jenn Morril, WSU student, said she and her husband have gone without insurance since getting married in June, because of the high cost of individual plans. "I looked into one plan," Morril said, "but it was too expensive." The WSU Health Center has brochures and information on health insurance options for students in the office and at departments.weber.edu healthcenter. In Utah, however, there are Radio continued from page 10 student community. Currently, KWCR plays an indie rock format that may not be familiar to some of the student body. Johansen plans on keeping some of this format and adding to it. Although some things may change, Jenkins stated that the ultimate goal remains the same. "In today's broadcasting r Turbo J Computing Solutions - Free In-Home Diagnostics - In-Home Repairs and Upgrades Networking Services - Custom Built PC's Monday Thursday 11 AM - r Friday Saturday "If you are an individual looking for health insurance, the absolute best bang for your buck is to go with a smaller list of physicians' Ernie Sweat Fringe Benefit Analysts only three good options for health insurance, according to Ernie Sweat, senior account executive of Fringe Benefit Analysts: BlueCross BlueShield, IHC and Altius. All have advantages and drawbacks, depending on the applicant's health and what kind of options are desired with the plan. "If you are an individual looking for health insurance, the absolute best bang for your buck is to go with a smaller list of physicians," Sweat said. A 24-year-old on a high-level IHC plan with a smaller network of physicians can expect to pay anywhere from $68 per month. BlueCross BlueShield has a similar plan called the Advantage Plan. One difference is differing rates between males and females. Rates See Insurance page 34 environment, or industry I should say, most stations are owned by conglomerates," Jenkins said. "The advantage of listening to our station is that we're here to learn and provide entertainment and value in programming ... the ultimate goal isn't the bottom dollar." You can reach reporter Shane ' Farver by calling 626-7655. PS 010 I can't believe Ogden has this kind of store and Chicago doesn't. -Ml 2432 Washington Blvd. Ogden - 621-4752 4 PM Experience continued from page "It's a good starting program," Roessler said. "I already had one semester up here without it and I think now, taking this after, I can look back on some of the mistakes I made. I should have taken it first. It's helped me realize ways to do things better. "The program gives you that extra help to graduate faster," he added. "It shows you what college is like and how to succeed. It would have helped me a lot to take it my first semester." Peer mentors, such as Bailey, are extensively involved in the program. Students who have been through the program and nominated by their instructors may become mentors. Mentors provide additional help to the students if they're having any problems. Many of the problems new students have are addressed in the FYE course, according to Cherlyn Jackson, WSU graduate and FYE instructor. "I think their biggest challenge is time management," Jackson said. "Either they have too much time or too little time and don't know how to manage it effectively. I think also they have problems with finances." Accordingto Jackson, struggles with time and finances go hand in hand as students worry about financial resources to pay for tuition, fees, books, housing and other miscellaneous expenses that come up. Too many students become overwhelmed and wind up working long hours to pay for school. "We spend time talking "We felt very comfortable at Farr's. They had great service, selection and, most importantly, educated us on what we were buying." Karsten Longhurst & Danielle Blaisdell 13 "It's a good starting program. I already had one semester up here without it and I think now, taking this after, I can look back on some of the mistakes I made." Tyler Roessler, WSU student about long- and short-term goals and how goals fit into time management," Jackson said. "The FYE department provides the students with a planner. We also talk about finances and what financial aid is available to them." The FYE program is also involved in the orientation process and works closely with Academic Advisement and Career Services. "FYE shows you a lot about the college and how to prepare for it," said Matt Johnson, an FYE student last semester. "It helps me to know what kinds of majors there are. They took us to the Career Center one week, and that's where I learned more about my job and about my major and what classes to take. The Career Center tells you a lot about your personality and what you want to do with your life. "I've learned so much about study habits, which I didn't really have the first semester," Roessler said. "It shows you classes and just what the university has to offer." The FYE program exists in many universities across the country. The program's National Resource Center is located at ' y y the University of South Carolina. According to the center's Web site, sc.edufye its mission is "to build and sustain a vibrant campus-based and international educational community committed to the success of first-year college students and all students in transition." The National Resource Center for the FYE program provides opportunities for the exchange of practical information and ideas through conferences, teleconferences, institutes and workshops. It also publishes monographs, a peer-reviewed journal, a newsletter, guides and books. Many students starting out in college across the nation and at WSU are getting a head start with the FYE program. Students and professors agree: FYE works. "I think it does work," Jackson said. "Students get what they put into things. For the students that are looking for a class to help them adjust to college life, they'll do great. They'll have success in the class and throughout their experience here at Weber State." You can reach reporter Ryan Howe by calling 626-7983. Jemelfu 11 AM 8 PM 2466 Washington Boulevard OUl-iUU-OJUl www.turbojcs.com McvSat 9 30-G 00 f n 9 30- 00 www.farrsjewelry.com m |