Maroon

              THE MAROON ESTABLISHED 1923 • TOR A GREATER LOYOLA" VOL. 83, NO. 21 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS FRIDAY, APRIL 1,2005 Propos '06 budgr plans to cut Perkins Loan By Adam Hennessey Staff writer Many Loyola students may be forced to find alternate means of funding for their college education if President Bush's current budget proposal is passed. The proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year eliminates five federally funded student aid programs in favor of increasing federal funding for the Pell Grant. The most notable program on the chopping block is the Perkins Loan program. In the 2003-04 academic year, students in the United States borrowed a total of $1.46 billion in Perkins Loans. The average amount borrowed per student was $2,004. As of the 2003-04 academic year, 521 Loyola students were receiving Perkins Loans, according to the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. In addition to discontinuing the loan, which would not go into affect until the 2006-07 academic year, the current budget proposal calls for institutions to repay the money given by the federal government to all institutions for the Perkins Loan since the programs inception, said Catherine Simoneaux, director of the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. Simoneaux explained that Loyola would have to repay $4 million over the course of 10 years if Congress passes the proposal. In addition to the $4 million to be repaid, the university would also no longer receive the $60,000 given to the school annually for the purposes of the Perkins Loan. She did note, however, that due to concessions when passing the budget, it would be unlikely that institutions will ultimately have to repay the federal money given to them for the Perkins Loan program. In addition to the Perkins Loan, the current budget proposal will also eliminate LEAP state grants, Upward Bound, Talent Search and Gear Up early intervention programs. According to Simoneaux, 15 Loyola students are currently receiving about $31,000 in aid from the LEAP grant. Because many of these students are also receiving Perkins Loans, they run the risk of being out an average of $4,000 in aid. "We are not trying to scare people," she said, "but it is important for students to pay attention."Simoneaux stressed the importance of keeping informed and contacting local representatives regarding this issue. "Politics can rear its ugly head at any point Money set for Etcetera scholarship By Kelly Brown Staff writer Etcetera, Loyola's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender student group, is in the process of selecting a recipient for a scholarship of up to $1,000. The Geoffrey Scholarship, named after a freshman Loyola student who died in 2001, will be awarded to a student who "has demonstrated commitment and service to the GLBT community," according to the group's Web site. History junior Tyler Douglas, a member of the Geoffrey Scholarship selection committee, said the group was inspired to offer a scholarship because of Geoffrey. "Geoffrey was a friend of a lot of people on campus, and he had only recently come out at college. He was working toward finding his place in the community." said Douglas. Bret Pennison, a management junior and co-president of Etcetera, said the scholarship came about alter years of work. "We found out last May at the end of the semester that it was possible." Pennison said. Pennison said that after raising $14,000 through private donations and the Gayla benefit. Etcetera was able to begin an endowment. Funds for the scholarship come from the interest on that endowment. Gayla is an annual dance put on by Etcetera as its major fundraiser. Douglas said that he could not disclose the number of applications received and said that at least $50() will be awarded. According to Mandi Moore, a history sophomore and co-president of Etcetera, an ideal candidate is someone who "has done something in their hometown or here to change the perceptions of gays or done something to benefit the gay community."Moore stressed that the scholarshipscholarship is open to straight as well as gay students. "I'm not gay, but I want to help the gay community because I feel that everyone deserves rights," Moore said. There has been little resistance on campus to the idea of the scholarship."Since we're a social justice university, I think it's a good thing Loyola has it. It shows our tolerance," said Nichole Bloomer, a history junior. Arthur Stem, Etcetera's adviser, said that qualified applicants are those who fulfill the ideals of the An alternative Easter Sunday Celebration Several members of New Orleans' gay community proudly displayed their best bonnets and Sunday dresses at the Gay Easter Parade on March 27, Easter Sunday. A sizeable crowd of fans and families turned up to catch beads, candy and stuffed animals, as the parade rolled down North Rampart Street at 4 p.m. STAFF PHOTO BY ANN HERMES Female professors face tough choices regarding careers By Anita Oubre Staff writer Women pursuing majors in sciences and technology are steadily increasing but are still having difficulties pursuing careers in their respective fields due to challenges and obstacles such as balancing work and family responsibilities. Sue Rosser's latest book, "Breaking Through the Science Glass Ceiling," is based on a fiveyear study exploring the difficulties women face when pursuing careers in academia. Rosser spoke to a small group in the Monroe Library that consisted of mostly female professors. Rosser explained that although the percentage of women turning to math and science has greatly increased since 1960, the number of women gaining advanced degrees and pursuing academia has decreased. Rosser's study of women engineers and scientists on track for tenure took place between 1997 through 2000. The study explores some of the possibilities of why women are experiencing obstacles and consisted of open-ended questions such as, "What is your biggest challenge as a woman?" Sixty-two to 80 percent answered that balancing a career and a family was their biggest challenge. The second biggest challenge was time management, with lack of woman leadership coming in third place. Xio Wallace, an emergency technician student at Delgado Community College, said she didn't realize how much raw data there was on why women are not progressing, as they should. "It is nice to see the data interpreted for the progress of women. I found out about this lecture in The Times-Picayune and decided I could benefit from attending," Wallace said. Rosser stressed that another common problem is the dual career issue where a woman scientist is likely to marry a man in the same field, and it's likely his career needs will come first. "The system in which tenure is rewarded was based on the white males, and we clearly do not fit into D See ETCETERA, page 3 D See LECTURE, page 3 D See PERKINS, page 3 SPORTS vU UFE & TIMES IMHfaj OPINION Girls fall to defending"Upside of Anger" Father Kevin Wildes champs in NAIA surprises with deep characters, discusses the tournament page 7 thoughtful plot page 11 yjl Schiavo case : HHiw JJHHPH' /J9H