University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Student Life 25

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V 24 Students Endure Long Lines for Big Bucks With the cost of tuition, room and board, books, personal expenses and transportation over $9,000, the average American family was not financially able to support the price tag on a USC education. This was the primary reason for 65 per cent of the student body re- ceiving various forms of financial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans and work stu- dy composed the bulk of programs stu- dents turned to for economic relief. They increased the infamous long lines and red tape in the Student Aministrative Services Building. The types of grants available sounded more like a jumbled alphabet then meth- ods of receiving money. GSL, FISL, BEOG, Cal Grant A and B were abbrevi- ated names of multi-questioned forms which dispersed scholarships and loans to students unable to afford the universi- ty. Merciful alumni also donated por- tions of their incomes to worthy stu- dents, alleviating financial stress. The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund provided tuition grants for low in- come students entering as freshmen, transfer or graduate students. Twenty new recepients were chosen each year for this fund, which honored a former university president. The College Work Study Program provided part-time em- ployment administered through the Ca- reer Development Center. It combined income and job experience to help stu- dents graduate with a well-rounded edu- cation. USC students led all California institu- tions in the number of state scholarships which were given on a basis of need and scholastic achievement. They allowed thousands of people an opportunity to attend the university who would other- wise be forced to study elsewhere. Student Life A -vC i: Mi

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Too Many Faces For Too Few Sp Living on campus used to be punish ment imposed on students by parents concerned with the freedoms of college life. But the thousands of people turned away for housing each year served as ex- amples that these times, they are a changing. USC housed 5,000 students this year, far short of the 8,000 who ap- plied for on-campus apartments or dorms. Fraternities and sororities provid- ed shelter for an additional 1,800 people although they were not affiliated with Auxiliary Services, housing ' s headquart- ers. A system was devised to determine each applicant ' s need for guaranteed space on campus. Those living in the Los Angeles area were given low priority as opposed to new students from outside California who were seen to be in greater need of shelter. Four new facilities, creating 905 addi- tional spaces, will be finished in time for the beginning of Fall semester, 1981. High construction costs and unavailable acreage has prevented the university from undertaking mass housing projects to meet the demand. Local landowners realized the worth of their property which is in the vicinity of a major edu- cational institution, the Coliseum, the Sports Arena and has already begun to play an important role in the 1984 Olympics. Shortages became a permanent part of the housing situation which forced lot- teries to be held until everyone wanting space on campus received it. Over 900 people particapted in the first drawing which could only place 135. The final lottery failed to place 290 students who were subsequently placed on a compu- terized waiting list and received rooms as they became available. Once housing was assigned, the prob- lems began. Costs increased 12 per cent over the previous year ' s figures which prompted the Departments of Engineer- ing, Marketing and Supervision to devise ways to cut costs. The price of on-cam- pus living was high, but the convenience of residing near classes, libraries and friends outweighed the frustrations of commuting. 26 Student Life