Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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Ths OSU Telefund brings many people from around campus, such as Eric Larson, to call for FUNding. The Corvallis Public Library had wonderful cooper ation with volunteer Sonia Suobiron. Teresa Schmidt volunteers her Friday afternoons to spend time with Erica Gammage at the Handicapped Clinic. 20 DEBBIE WEATHERS I 20 • VOLUNTEERING AROUND TOWN

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WIND FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS AFFECT OSU STUDENTS IN MANY WAYS HAT WAS ONE OF the largest worries you had at college? Well, if you were anything like the “aver- age” student, it would have been money. Money. The ominous word that kept most on their toes, wondering if next term would be seen. For some, the financial worries were not experienced. This rare breed of student received some kind of financial aid for school. It seemed that most students, when confronted with the question of financial aid, weren’t able to receive any. Most felt they had been cheated or that someone higher up had chosen recipients at random, not considering a students actual need. “This year I didn't receive any type of financial aid. I’m living from month to month on just the three jobs I’m working at, remarked a student who wished to remain anonymous. “No grants, no scholarships, no nothing. It doesn’t seem all that fair because I know people who are getting money, my money, back from the school.” The number of programs which helped students with financial problems at Oregon State University exceeded what most students thought. One thing that most, if not all. advisors found was that students who were eligible for financial aid did not receive any because they just did not file for the correct program. “One of the things that we’re doing is changing the financial forms to help us get a better idea of who the needy students are, as compared to those who don’t need the aid as much,” said Dr. Keith McCreight, director of the Financial Aid Office at Oregon State University. “We want to be assured that the funds go to eligible students. The key to the eligibility process is the 1040 tax form.” he said. Although students may not have noticed the changes in the forms for determining financial need, and may have therefore filled them out incorrectly. There were some major revisions in the processing of those papers. As some may have noticed, earlier in the school year the Financial Aid Office mysteriously closed their doors and did not answer the phones to anyone. It was not until the afternoon came that signs of life appeared. The transferring of records and files to a new color-coded system was being done. With this new system, McCreight said, the processing of future files and records could be done more quickly and with greater ease. So what could a student do to get some kind of help? Well, for one thing there were all sorts of loans and work-study programs available. As many knew, however, that still was not enough. “On the average, about 30 percent of all applications are verified.” said McCreight. “Students need to supply us with appropriate documentation proving that what they replied was true. This must be done to receive Pell Grants and other forms of aid,” said McCreight. One thing that may have also helped was being, by definition, an independent student. “The independent student definition is defined by Congress.” he said. With monetary cuts to education due to the -ramm-Rudman Bill, students saw their chances jf getting help dwindling away. Scholarships, grants and loans were available to students ever,' year, and every year some went unclaimed because eligible students just did not file for them. With all the problems of getting any type of financial aid. statistics showed that college, students borrowed $10.1 billion in 1986, received $9.7 billion in grants and earned $662 million on subsidized campus jobs. In all, students received a total of $20.5 billion in aid from state and local governments and the institution themselves. The problem, as we all probably knew, was one spanning the entire country. Taking inflation into account, the pool of student aid shrunk by 6.1 percent from 1979 to 1986. Chris Simon, a sophomore in history’, claimed that the system at Oregon State University was not quite as effective as it could have been. “I’m paying this college over $1,100 whereas one of my friends is getting about that much back from the university. I may as well just write my check to him and save the school one more problem. Basically the school is just paying him our money to go to school,” he said. The unidentified student summed up his experience by saying, “We go to college to try and become smarter. We give all our money to the school. Does this sound smart? I think they (the university) have got a good thing going and they know it. They probably laugh themselves into a frenzy all the way to the bank.” □ by Ron Hunt FINANCIAL AID • 19

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OLUN IT TAKES A PERSON WITH PATIENCE AND LOTS OF TIME FOR CARING tur.lty for volunteers. matched students with community Services on campus included the annu- youths who needed addit ional adult com-al Memorial Union Christmas party. Stu- panionship. Students found it was not so dents, some dressed in red and green out difficult to come up with fun ideas for fits as elves, helped young children from things to do around campus and within the community decorate cookies, cut out Corvallis. Children were so receptive to snowflakes and draw. It was an experi- being with the students that often hours ence that was fun to do and made such a were spent simply talking and sharing NEW CALL FOR caring — a responsibility of academic service honoraries and individual volunteers on the Oregon State campus. Student members made use of an extraordinary opportunity for greater learning and for the improvement of the university and community. “As student leaders we have the responsibility to support the ideals of the university and community, provide service and encourage each other in scholarship,” said Tom Harbolt, President of Mortar Board National Senior Honorary. Each year deserving student members of Thanes, Talons, Cardinal Key, Mortar Board and Blue Key geared up for fun, rewarding group projects in campus and community activities. There was a wide variety of programs available to accommodate all the interests of the different individuals involved with the projects. Other activities included volunteer callers in the OSU Telefund, guides for new student tours and freshmen orientation, Beaver Open House and graduation ushers. The senior honoraries worked closely with advisors to narrow the communication gap between university administration and students. Community projects included Cardinal Key visiting Heart of the Valley Care Center and spending time talking and playing games with the senior citizens. The holidays provided a prime oppor- difference to all of the children that turned out for it. Santa Claus was on hand and any time a young person who still believed in the bearded bearer of gifts sat upon his lap and rambled off a list of treasures he hoped would be under his tree on Christmas morning, it was a wonder that more people weren’t at the MU volunteering. Mortar Board members built a haunted house for Halloween in the Lambda Chi Annex on Monroe street. A “Senior Citizens Prom was planned on Valentine’s Day for all senior citizens in the community. This was a newly planned joint project between Thanes and Talons this year. “We wanted to expand our efforts beyond the campus and plan a bigger project with community citizens, said Heidi Rhodes, President of Talons. It was obvious that this kind of thoughtful planning was appreciated by members of the community because the showing at each activity always exceeded the expected amount. Mortar Board designed the Academic Planners, a popular success in their second year. Finals week “survival kits, delivered to freshmen at the end of each term, were again a traditional dual project between Mortar Board and Blue Key members. “Being involved in an active group of leaders who are creative and motivated to work together is fun and exciting and rewarding,” said Kim Ziegler, social chairwoman of Cardinal Key. The YM YWCA Round Table of Oregon State was a non-profit service organization supported by contributors and volunteers. Many students found volunteering a way to get needed work experience as well as a chance to feel good about oneself while helping others. The Big Brother Big Sister program past experiences. “We have the potential of 190 matchups,” said Carol Ward, executive director of the Y-Round Table located in Snell Hall. Students spent one hour per week meeting with his or her child. A minimum one-year commitment was required. The goal of the program was for the participants to develop a warm relationship by doing fun activities both enjoyed. Frisbee or picnics in the city parks, roller skating, golfing, horse riding, thrift shops, baking cookies and bike rides were a few favorite activities. “The Y-Round is special because everyone who works there volunteers to meet the needs of other people. said Traci Matthews, sophomore in psychology. “1 like to work with people and I realize little kids need role models—especially those from one-parent families. Children need positive reinforcement and attention when they’re younger. “1 volunteered to get a little sis because it’s rewarding to know I can brighten a child’s day.” Students also coordinated and assisted with selling UNICEF cards each year. The sale began November 23 and continued through December 18. Because the cards were decorated so beautifully it was a pleasure to purchase them and know at the same time that the money was going to someone who really needed it. Steve Jones was a volunteer in the friendly visitor program for the elderly. He was one of five members on the student advisory board of Y-Round Table. Reaching out to help others through a volunteer organization rewarded many students at OSU with a second education. That education being the knowledge that people, despite their age, despite their needs, all had the desire to share their time with someone who cared. □ by Ginny Rajnus VOLUNTEERING AROUND TOWN • 21