Author: Katherine Boyce

This year, total student loan debt in the United States finally exceeded $1 trillion. This surpasses even credit card debt, which is seen as one of the most negative forms of debt in America. It is estimated that the average student in America has $25,250 in student loan debt by the time he has finished his undergraduate education. By comparison, the average student loan debt in 2000 was $15,100. In 1990, it was as low as $8,200.

Repayment is not a lost cause, though. This October, the White House announced changes to student loan repayment laws. The Pay As You Earn proposal, as it’s called, strives to put a cap on loan repayments based on your income. Maximum student loan repayments cannot exceed 10 percent of one’s discretionary income under this proposal, and any leftover student loan debt is forgiven after 20 years.

There are restrictions to this, certainly. Private loans are not accounted for in this, nor are loans for current students graduating before 2014. PLUS loans, which parents and guardians take out on behalf of their college-aged children, are also not subject to the Pay As You Earn proposal. It is also something which one needs to apply for and present proof of income (in the form of tax documentation, etc.) every year to maintain.

How interesting does an event about alcohol safety sound? Well, what if you were told it would involve making seasonal desserts? On Oct. 25, a large group of campus housing residents gathered in the Ondine Lobby awaiting caramel apples.

After dipping their apples into a vat of caramel and enjoying the delicious treat, the students were then able to enjoy a piece of candy—if they managed to walk along a line of post-it-notes on the ground while wearing goggles that distorted their vision and made them lose their balance. The goggles simulated the effects of drunkenness. The activity was meant to show the students the disorienting feeling of what it is like to be drunk.

The main reason that the students attended, however, was the promise of caramel apples. They had all seen the posters advertising caramel apples, with “learn about alcohol safety” as a side note, and took part in the alcohol safety activity as a consequence of being there for the apples. The presentation of alcohol safety through an unrelated larger event proved to be much more effective than merely hosting an event related to alcohol safety.

Jobs and internships usually require some amount of work experience, but to get the experience, one needs to first get a job or internship. It’s a Catch-22 that most students and new graduates entering the work force know all too well.

In Portland’s particularly tough economy, students need all of the help they can get. In order for students to support themselves today, they need to start thinking about their careers while they are still in school.

The Portland State Career Center assists people in finding work both as students here and after they graduate. In order to help as many students as possible, the Career Center hosts career fairs. The Career and Internship Fair, held on Oct. 24, and the Nonprofit Career Fair, held on Nov. 1, proved to be useful opportunities for students and graduates to network with companies and even find jobs and internships.

When talking to my friends, I often hear them say things like, “if Sarah Palin is elected, I’m moving to Canada,” or “the people in Italy are so much friendlier.”

I myself am guilty of complaining about the quality of coffee in the United States compared to the quality of coffee in Germany. Complaints about the U.S. are a popular topic of conversation, whether those complaining are serious about leaving or not.

The cool fall weather calls out, inviting everyone to get on their feet and walk out of their doors. It is neither too hot nor too cold for outdoor sports and activities, and fresh air is a wonderful way to stave off the common cold. This is a clear indication of why fall is the perfect time of year to participate in Walktober.

Open to all members of the Portland State community, Walktober is an opportunity to get motivated and incorporate walking into one’s daily routine. Since Oct. 10, participants have been keeping track of their walking minutes online and engaging in friendly competition, either in teams or as individuals.

What comes to mind when one thinks of protecting the environment? Buzzwords and phrases such as sustainability, clean fuel and energy efficiency get tossed around and shuffled. But what does it take to actually save the environment?