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Show Westminster College ovCvr V'V'W Foiniainicial Aid increases D Westminster students will benefit this year from the $14 billion supplemental appropriations bill passed September 8th when Congress voted to over ride Reagans veto, according to Ruth Henneman, director of this schools financial aid program. Henneman explained that delays in the release of funds previously approved for 1982-8- 3 did not cause in Westminster student aid awards this fall. a hold-u- p It did affect university students in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Florida, according to an article by Ken Klein (AP) published in the Salt Lake Tribune on September 6th. While Congress voted on Reagans August 27th in veto Washington, the President spoke to an audience in Hooper, Utah, on September 8th and termed the bill a budget buster. Actually, the bill was for less than the amount originally proposed by Reagan, according to a report by Margaret Scherf (AP) in a Tribune article published September 7th. Scherf reported that the appropriations bill would have provided $2. 1 billion less than Reagan wanted for the military, but included $918 million for social programs, including $217 million to help students attend college ... low-inco- The passage of the bill will result in extra aid acafor Westminster students during the 1982-8- 3 much how know demic year. Henneman doesnt yet be the addihow share this will or more colleges tional funds will be distributed to individual students. The specific Federal programs affected are the Pell grants and the SEOG grants. Henneman stated that it was possible that Pell grant awards previously announced for this year could be increased by small amounts. She emphasized this possibility as speculation and indicated that it was equally possible that additional awards would go to those who had been sent away because there was no funding left. When asked about Kleins article on students denied promised aid this fall at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Connecticut and Florida State and International Universities, Henneman explained that the traditional forward funding process always involves delays between tentative and final funding awards. Such delays affect small and large institutions differently. Henneman explained that the application process, initiated 1 1 months in advance of the start of fall Enthusiasm Guides ASWC Howard Carter and Trudy Rocha are two members of this years ASWC executive cabinet. Carter, a sophomore at Westminster, is the 1982-8- 3 secretary and Rocha, a junior, is treasurer. My main job," according to Carter, is to let students know what is going on. I take the minutes at cabinet meetings and type correspondence for cabinet The treasurers responsibilities, commembers. mented Rocha, include drafting budget proposals and allocating money to various student organizations. Both Carter and Rocha seem to be enjoying their positions. I like being secretary, stated Carter because youre involved yet youre still off to the side. One thing I like about my job, said Rocha, is that it gives me the opportunity to work with a lot of people. Carter and Rocha agree that this years cabinet members are easy to get along with. We really get his fellow along well, said Carter, referring to cabinet members, there are no personal conflicts. Carter, who was born in Ogden, Utah, was first attracted to Westminster College because he liked d biology and he plans the name. His major is to go to medical school after graduating from Westminster. He is vice president of Carleson Hall and is pre-me- the acting president until November. Rocha, a resident of the Salt Lake area, came to Westminster College at the suggestion of her sister, Debbie, who graduated in 1982. She is an accounting certified public accounmajor who plans to become a school. law tant and eventually enter Carter and Rocha can usually be contacted through the student government office located in Shaw Volume 30, No. 3 Friday, October classes, generally results in tentative awards in March or April. Final awards and disbursement are traditionally delayed until May or June. This year Westminster received its final award and half of its funds in August. Henneman stated that Westminster is willing to begin allocating funds based on the tentative grant amounts, where larger institutions cant afford to take that risk. Henneman indicated that she felt the announcement of awards in June to individual students on the basis of tentative Federal approval did involve a risk. She said, I think that shows a real commitment on the part of the College to the students at Westminster. Federal grants disbursed to Westminster totalled over $450 thousand. A students in 1981-8- 2 breakdown for this year isnt available yet, but Henneman indicated that the initial awards for 1982-8- 3 were "almost equal to the prior year, maybe down Henneman stated that the supplemental funding may have the potential to increase funding to the 81-8- 2 level; maybe a little better. If existing Pell grants are increased, between 200 and 250 students could be affected at Westminster. In discussing her hope that the 1982-8- 3 supplemental funds would stabilize college financial aid at the 81-8- 2 level, Henneman warned that stable funding isnt really a solution, since costs continue to rise . . . but its a start. 5. Kathleen H ammoni Enrollment up 9.2 Percent HOWARD CARTER, ASWC Secretary Enrollment for the 1982-8- 3 year at Westminster increased 9.2 over last year, according to Craig Green, director of admissions. Green states the actual increase in head count is 78; the total student 1 registration this year is 930 as of September 1th. Total enrollment for 1980 was 863 and for 1981 was 852. In addition, Green says, enrollment in semester credit hours has increased 7.4 over 1981. Green, having recently attended a meeting with other small private college admissions officers states Westminster is well above the national average in enrollment this year. Westminster suffers with other small colleges from Federal budget cuts to financial aid; however, Green states our retention of students from last year was good and that Westminster attracts local adults as well as the traditional students. Along with public relations promotions being a positive factor in the increased enrollment, Green states that the overall campus mood of the students and faculty is definitely a determining factor in the increase. Green also suggested the enthusiasm and sincere expressions of appreciation from our president which encourages a positive and friendly attitude influences the entire student body and faculty. When asked for a prediction for next years enrollment, Green answered, I am very positive about the future and we are anticipating a continued increase in enrollment. Center. Ron Czajka 1, 1982 Marie Hook |