Maroon

              The Maroon VOL. 74 NO. 9 ESTABLISHED 1923 Loyola University New Orleans FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3,1995 Proposed budget may cut student aid By LISA WULZYN and STEPHEN STUART Staff writers The Republican-controlled Congress has proposed cuts of as much as $10 billion in federal student financial aid as part of the balanced budget plans of the House and Senate. According to an Oct. 30 New York Times article, "the House would cut about twice as much as the Senate from loan programs for college students." The House plans to cut $10.2 billion, while the Senate proposed $5 billion in savings, the article states. The proposed cuts would affect the 2.500 students at Loyola who receive federal student loans, according to Wally Boudet, assistant director of Financial Aid. The plans include cutting or eliminating the direct loan program and initiating interest rates for students, while doing away with the "interest-free grace period." Concerning the direct loan pr«-oram, the Senate bill would limit it to 30 percent of total loans, but the House bill would eliminate the program altogether, said Edward Seybold, director of financial aid. In addition, the interest rates on parent loans would increase .9 percent, from 3.1 to 4 percent. Concerning the House cut in the interest subsidy students can get for the first six months after graduation, Seybold said it should not have a great impact on Loyola students. "The loss of a grace period would cost an average senior about $600 on a loan debt of $13,500," he said. There have been no major changes proposed to the work-study program, Seybold said. Also, a planned .85 percent tax on schools issuing federal aid has been discontinued, he added. Nathan Fleming, president of the College Republicans at Loyola, has mixed feelings about the plan. "As a college student, I can appreciate that some students are forced to use loans to pay for college. However, it is important for the government to monitor the moneys that it provides each year for students," he said. With continued criticism from the Clinton administration, whose Federal Direct Loan Program has been the subject of controversy, Congress plans to cut 20 percent of the universities that currently participate in that program. Many students who use the loan program to finance their college education disagree with the measures that Congress is taking. "In terms of balancing the budget, they should look at other areas that could be cut instead of education which is already in need of money," communications freshman Nicole Guidroz said. Boudet notes that it is dangerous to make a comment on the situation, as they are only strictly proposing the cuts, and no decision has been made at this time. He also said if Congress does pass the proposed budget. President Clinton has promised to veto it. "When it comes down to it Clinton has promised to veto the whole thing.... the only way that he is going to let it pass is if they reinstate quite a bit (of the money)." According to The Times Picayune (Oct. 14), students are expected to borrow $50 billion by the year 2000, twice the amount projected for this year. Course availability causes problems for some students By JENNIFER LEVASSEUR Assistant News Editor For psychology senior Hadleigh Foil, graduation will not be celebrated in four years as she had hoped. Like some other students. Foil will not be able to complete her requirements on time because of closed courses. A closed psychology class needed for her major is the cause. "In psychology, courses are offered in the fall or spring. It's very difficult especially when you're a senior and you have to wait another semester for the class to be offered again," Foil said. "It's distressing. I've definitely been delayed by one semester." As early registration approaches, students have been faced with problems ranging from time conflicts to scarcity of course sections, when scheduling classes for the spring semester. Many students think that more sections of courses need to be offered at Inauguration shows off Knoth, lacks attendance By CAJA KELLY Staff writer The sweet strains of classical music filled the auditorium while the important, hushed chatter flowed at the art reception. These were the sounds of Loyola's first official inauguration, sounds that could be heard all over campus last week. But was anyone listening? These events, celebrating the inauguration of Loyola's 15th president, the Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., were free and open to the public, yet attendance was not what it could have been. Student turnout was especially poor. "I just didn't know anything about what was going on," said Lynda Bass, general studies sophomore. "If this stuff was open to the students, it should at least have been advertised somewhere." When Knoth was asked about the lack of student participation at the art reception last Tuesday and the fact that this could be due to lack of information, he replied that he would look into it the next day and see if he could have his assistant work By DAN OBARSKI Audience members at ceremony listen to Knoth's address. up some information for the remaining events. So far, Knoth has been well-received on campus. "He has a sparky attitude, a fresh outlook on things. The man is very '905," said Carlos Ramirez, international business freshman. Former university president and Chancellor James C. Carter, S.J., said that Knoth is "capable, hard-working, dedicated and very knowledgeable." Indeed, being visible and having contact with the students is very important to Knoth. His office has hours reserved on Tuesdays and Thursdays specifically for any student who wishes to come to talk with him. By DAN OBARSKI The Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., addresses students, academics and others at his inauguration ceremony. Knoth faces challenges as he begins a new era NEWS ANALYSIS By STEPHEN STUART News Editor The ceremony is over. The Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., the newlyinaugurated president of Loyola University, now leads the procession across the Marquette horseshoe lawn and under the elevated walkway connecting Thomas and Marquette halls. At the beginning of the ceremony, when the train of leaders, academics and others chugged its way from under the walkway, across the grass, around the statue of Jesus and up the Marquette steps in ceremonial fashion, Knoth was the patient caboose waving occasionally to the crowd. Now he is the engine. He must face the challenges, which include alleviating the increasing cost of attending Loyola and the constricting allocation of financial aid, recruiting of superior students to attend Loyola, See CLASSES, Pg. 5 See REACTION, Pg. 3 See KNOTH, Pg. 6 21 St century U. HHk Professor Kenneth ■|H I Keulman discusses the future the ~~1 "Crew-sin" . • I - The crew team participates in Boston Pg.7 fgfgfgfg