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Show CITY THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989 PAGE 4 LOAN DEFAULT ROBS ALL OF US With the costs of a quality education spiraling it often becomes practical if not an outright necessity for the student to secure a federal educational loan. Approximately 1 ,400 SUSC students currently receive some form of federal aid, such as the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL), or the Perkins Loan, ever-skywa- allowing them the freedom, in many instances, to devote time to study without the added burden of employment. However, all is not bliss. The federal government is now grappling with students who default on their loans to the tune of an expected $1.6 billion this year alone. In comparison, defaulted loans cost the government only $224 million in 1978. With no end in sight, The Thunderbird feels it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to pay back monies borrowed. To do anything less constitutes grand larceny. According to government studies, the typical defaulter does not understand his or her loan obligation, comes from a minority or background, or drops out before completing school. It is often next to impossible to collect from students leaving school prematurely, yet we believe theres no excuse for student apathy or ignorance. Utah has, thus far, kept the number of defaults at a minimum-l- ess than 5 percent statewide. Nevertheless, this figure remains too high, considering that it too adds to the overall problem nationwide. The potential impact of the default quandary is multifold. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are addressing this problem through Senate bill (S 2647), and House bill (HR 4986). Both bills stipulate that schools with defaults of more than 20 percent of total program participation be audited and perhaps dropped from the government loan program altogether. Closer to home, currently enrolled students, without a dependable economic base found in federal loans, might find themselves forced to leave SUSC. Potential SUSC students, without the surety of income, might opt to enter the labor force pipe dream. giving up higher education as a is default loan student the responsibility of the Ultimately, individual student. The Thunderbird supports the theory of equal educational opportunity through the implementation of federal assistance. However, we do not condone the actions of individuals taking advantage of a program established to promote higher education and social advancement for the have nots of society. With the projected growth of SUSC, more and more students can be expected to rely upon student loans to attend school. The and irresponsibility of a few students can have a lasting effect on the majority of those who value their commitments. Lets keep the percentage of honorable student borrowers high. low-inco- far-flun- g 123 The Thunderbird VOLUME 83, NUMBER 34 Editor Rachel Talbot Associate Editor Kathleen Mtdgley Opinion Editor James Spainhower Photo Editor Rich Engleman Copy Editor Carol Miller Sports &. Outdoors Editor Brent Richey Senior Staff Writers Nicole Bonham Jodi Reinard Production Manager Lynn Dennett Ad Manager Brenda Madsen Ad Representative Michelle Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the Colleges department of communication The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions, 5 pm. Tuesdays for Thursday editions. The Thunderbird. editorial and advertising offices in SUSC Library 103 Mail at SUSC Box 8 or 9384, Cedar City, UT 84720 Phone (801) Letters Another cry in the wilderness TO THE EDITOR: mystical, magical old growth, I would suggest that the old growth is better left in preserves such as national parks where trees weakened by insect and disease damage are not endangering people who may wish to camp, hunt, or otherwise use the forest. Any orchardist or gardner will tell you that the healthiest orchard or garden is one which has been pruned and weeded, and this is the principle under which the Forest Service works. Thinning forest stands makes a healthier forest, and provides space for new vegetation and wildlife to come into an area. This pruned forest may not be as aesthetic to some as wild stands, but each has its place in the scheme of things, just as wild grasses and cultivated ones each have different but equally meaningful uses by man and animal. but With all due respect for the opinions of Mr. Greeno and Ms. Pixley concerning wildlands, I national would like to offer Thunderbird readers another viewpoint. Let me preface my remarks by saying that I was raised in national parks and have worked for the National Park Service myself: I believe in preserves for our natural heritage. At the same time, I recognize the need to use many of our national resources. The Forest Service, a particular source of unhappiness for both Mr. Greeno and Ms. Pixley, is mandated by law for better or worse to provide for wood, water, wildlife, recreation, and range on the public lands that it administers. The Forest Services multiple-us- e plans try to accommodate many people on the same piece of land (the greatest good for the greatest number principle of the agency), and this layering of uses sometimes seems incompatible to people desiring one sole use. Ms. Pixley abhors the idea of an even-age- d forest, preferring a aware, however, that Mr. Greeno and other wilderness advocates often carry their critical observations to extremes. For h instance, he refers to the Hollow gas exploration gerrymandering, but neglects to mention that this legislation went through correct due process, meaning that interested publics made statements during the lengthy information acquisition and study period. In my opinion, if it will help the process and people involved to express your concerns, do so; but once the matter is resolved to most peoples satisfaction, dont keep begging the issue. It seems like poor sportsmanship to try to follow the rules of the game, then berate the umpire because of the outcome of the contest. At least we can be thankful that d there are men The Forest Service is capable of and women who truly care about making mistakes, like anyone, and the future of public lands it is fortunate that some people managing them now, rather than take it upon themselves to be the y factions of watchdogs for these mistakes, as yesteryear. Mr. Greeno seems to do. Thunderbird readers should be Julia Shochat Box-Deat- college-educate- good-old-bo- |