The downturn of the economy has prompted many Americans to seek a college education in order to have a better opportunity at finding jobs.

The editorial members of The All State discussed the advantages and drawbacks of pursuing a post-secondary education during these difficult economic times.

Although a high school diploma had previously been the basic requirement to attain a blue collar or even a white collar job a decade ago, it appears a bachelor’s degree is now the new standard when it comes to bare minimum credentials.

With this in mind, a great number of Americans are now pursuing a four-year degree with the purpose of presenting themselves as valuable and indispensable prospects in an extremely competitive work place.

However, with so many people looking to add a college degree to their résumé, the worth of the degree itself is losing validity.

While the idea of being employed and even finding a prosperous career is enough to motivate anyone into furthering their education, this may not be the wisest route to take.

Unless student grants and scholarships cover the full tuition and fees of attending an institution, the reality is student loans are more likely to contribute to an already dreary financial situation.

Some of the editorial members at TAS agree the misuse of student loans is one of the main negative aspects of attending a university out of economic stress.

A multitude of students rely on their loans as a means of partial income, in turn, disregarding any common logic or consideration for the future.

But not everyone finds themselves in such a predicament. Even though college students have, for the most part, been known to struggle financially, this may not entirely be true. There are many opportunities such as work study programs and lower paying jobs like waiting tables and customer sales at the local mall, which are enough for most young college students to get by.

So, is there reason for college students to be concerned with the economy and the job market? It all depends on who you ask.

A career is obviously the ultimate goal for all those who choose to pursue a college degree, however, it is not until that goal is nearly achieved that most students begin to reflect on the next step of the process.

One editorial member mentioned “I do not have much of an opinion about jobs, because I am not thinking about it yet… If I was not considering going to graduate school, the current economy and job market certainly would have changed my mind. Figuring out and finding a career is a scary concept, especially if jobs are limited and everyone is making your future options seem bleak.”

In contrast to this, there are a multitude of students who are near their graduation day or have already graduated, and still can’t seem to find jobs, including those not requiring college degrees.

They have chosen to better their chances at finding well-paying, secure careers, only to find themselves in desperation and ambiguity.

In the end, there is nothing left but uncertainty. Attending college is, for lack of a better word, a gamble. The best thing a student can do is to have a concrete plan. Research your chosen career field, its trends, future outlook and the return on the investment you’re making.

A bachelor’s degree has become not only immensely accessible, but a necessity to anyone who desires a better future.

With the economy and job market slowly gaining momentum, students can only hope their degrees will reward them at long last; nevertheless, it’s sad and unfair to think that in today’s modern society, college could be a risky option.

The new millennium brought along a wave of changes concerning politics, education, technology and everything in between.

One of the major changes seen during the last decade has been regarding the environment and the proposed initiative of leading “greener” lives.

While Americans make an effort towards a cleaner and more beautiful world, The All State’s editorial board members discussed some of the positive and negative environmental changes they have noticed here at APSU.

A reform towards a more environmentally friendly campus has been slow in gaining momentum, however, the majority of TAS’s editorial board members agree that positive change has certainly taken place.

While new students may not immediately be aware of the transformation our campus has undertaken, those who have attended APSU over a number of years can undoubtedly tell the difference.

The overall appearance of the APSU campus has been rejuvenated and tremendous emphasis has been placed on aesthetics. The task of beautifying has been approached in a successful manner, in turn, helping the university economically, as well as adding much needed appeal in order to attract future prospects.

The milestone APSU has achieved with the enrollment of more than 10,000 students may, in many ways, be a product of the school’s charm. In spite of this, the growth of students also constitutes greater measures to maintain the progress made so far.

Many of us fear the positive changes, which have taken place during the last few years, may be reaching a plateau, and a reversal in the process may be in APSU’s future.

Some of these negative aspects are already visible in remote areas around the school grounds.

Overflowing trash bins, inconveniently placed recycling containers and the neglect of various sections of campus, including the vicinities behind the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center and behind the football field, seem to point to a negative trend we can all do without.

In addition, the likelihood of APSU cutting its budget in the near future could pose a major setback to the green initiative the university has adopted.

Not only will the effort to preserve an environmentally conscious faculty and student body be diminished, but the effects of higher demand by the increase in students will make a tremendous negative impact as well.

As a response to the possible damaging consequences APSU faces, at TAS, we believe the good work that has been done can continue as long as everyone takes a part in helping.

Some previous initiatives have done well in helping the cause in the past, as one editorial board member states, “buying a thermo in exchange for cheaper coffee and drinks should be better advertised.”

In the end, environmental changes occurring around campus affect us all in numerous ways.

Although our actions may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, we are the ones who can truly make a change at APSU for the better.

No, because the prices of movies alone keep going up every so many years. I think they just went up to $12 at some places and the cost of that goes up in the 3D movies. Supposedly, they are paying for the glasses, and after a movie you have to give the glasses back; most of the time it is not worth it.”
— Drew Claud, sophomore criminal justice major

Sometimes it depends. ‘Avatar’ was worth it but ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was not. I think it would have been just as good if it wasn’t in 3D, plus when it comes having to buy the glasses you can’t reuse your glasses? They won’t take down the charge so that is not worth it either.”
— Alexis Burroughs, Pre Physical Therapy Major

Not at all. The effects are not wowing enough. I am going to give you an extra $4, it’s cool to pay $1.50 but $4 is ridiculous. It is like watching regular movies, it would be good if the extra $4 for the whole theater where the seats are moving. Just watching a movie that doesn’t come to my face is not worth it to pay $4 extra.”
— Octavious Price, sophomore chemistry major

I don’t like it because if you have already seen a 3D before another 3D, you should already have your same glasses and you shouldn’t have to be charged for those same glasses.”
— Domineque Jack, freshman french international major

Absolutely not, because there is not actual 3D. 3D is supposed to be up front in your face. ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was better than ‘Clash of the Titans’ but there is no actual 3D like Disney World.”
— Rebecca Johnson, junior early childhood education major

It makes sense to get charged when you know it is animated, when it is not animated it’s not worth the price.”
— Katie Miller, freshman education major

As the window for Summer and Fall 2010 advisement approaches, editorial members at The All State discussed their opinions on the advisement processes here at APSU.

For some students, including part of the editorial board at TAS, advising is a very independent process; students research their own degree requirements and the available classes and create their own schedule, and a visit, call or e-mail to their adviser is only necessary to obtain their run number.

For other students, the process is not so simple. Many majors are complicated and require planning to complete in a timely fashion, so reliance on an adviser’s help is important.

While some advisers are extremely prepared and professional for advisement week and know their department’s offered classes very well, many editorial board members felt like advisers in general cannot devote enough time to adequately prepare their advisees for the coming semesters, and that advisers sometimes either do not fully inform and sometimes misinform students.

A number of editorial board members suggested the best way to improve advisement would be for the university to hire a dedicated staff to provide this service to students during advisement week as well as throughout the semester.

While advising is a service provided by professors in a student’s department, TAS feels students should not rely solely on their advisers to create their four-year plan and help plan their schedules.

Instead, students should draft a four-year plan of their own and attempt to create a potential schedule before advisement week so advisers have a starting point during each appointment. Students should also double check to make sure they will fulfill all graduation requirements well in advance.
For information about advisement week, visit www.apsu.edu/Registrar/, e-mail registrar@apsu.edu or call 221-7150.

Our Take

I’m not getting a whole lot out of class, I’m really just missing a lot of lecture.”
— Julian Tucker, freshman business management major

It has been a positive effect on me because the two or three days that we had out I’ve had major tests on. That gave me an extra couple of days to study.”
— Kyle Taylor, freshman chemistry major

Wind ensemble and chamber singers are going on tour within the next two weeks. We really need to have rehearsal and we have missed a lot of rehearsals.”
— Sarah Turner, senior music major

I think that the biggest thing about the snow day is that there are a lot of students that feel a little bit cheated because they paid to come to school here and we’ve been out four or five days already.”
— James Demoss, sophomore English major

It has been messing up my schedule and I have classes. I just can’t keep it all on track.”
— Josh Owens, freshman biology major

The main thing that the snow days affect is just throwing off your time schedule.”
— Anthony Coffee, freshman computer science major

The snow has affected my classes because now we’re behind and all my tests are going to be around the same week.”
— Jordan Farmer, freshman nursing major

The snow has affected my classes by pushing everything behind and all my tests are going to be right before spring break making it very difficult.”
— Rebekah Pippin, freshman communication major

Our Take

On Sunday, Jan. 31, The All State broke news that Westboro Baptist Church has APSU down on their calendar to come and picket the Unity Celebration Dinner speaker Judy Shepard.

According the their Web site, www.godhatesfags.com, “WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth.”

We at TAS feel they, as well as other protestors, have the same rights as every one else to protest no matter if it’s something we don’t agree with.

TAS is protected by freedom of the press in first amendment to the U.S. Constitution, like WSC is protected by freedom of speech, religion and to peaceful assembly. The keyword, though, is peaceful.

Last semester, PinPoint Evangelism came to campus to deliver their message. After University Facilities approved the duo, they went to the Free Speech Area located in the Morgan University Center Plaza between the UC and the Harvill bookstore, and a crowd quickly grew.

Some students ignored it while others argued and debated with them. A few students even mocked them by “healing other students” and pretended to be preach the same words as the protesters.

Whenever protests occur on campus, we at TAS believe they should be respected because they are within their rights to protest. According the Free Speech Area Guidelines published in the Student Handbook, “the use of the Free Speech Area is for any organization (campus or non-campus) or individual (campus or non-campus) for the exhortation of a position topic or issue.”

Some editorial board members feel we pay thousands of dollars to receive an education and this disrupts the education flow. If students are being yelled at, they have the right to yell back.

The editorial board did agree if APSU sent out an e-mail notifying students, faculty and staff about a protest that day, students will be aware and can avoid the event taking place that day if they wish.

In order to reserve the Free Speech Area, an organization must contact the University Facilities office. Free speech activists cannot exceed 90 minutes, although the Office of the President can grant exceptions for reserved use.

As of press time, Monday, Feb. 1, WBC had not registered the Plaza with University Facilities.