The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 27, 1982, Image 16

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    etc
Ex-loan agents aid Cornell
United Press International
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell
University has taken a novel
approach to the problem of col
lecting unpaid student loans. It
uses retired collection agents.
The Ivy League school, lo
cated above Cayuga Lake in up
state New York, has hired three
retirees to work part-time in its
collection office to try and get
Cornell grads to come up with
money past due. Two of the
three retirees are former collec
tion agents.
“We’re not aware of any
other college that has hired re
tirees to do this,” Cornell’s asso
ciate bursar Richard Banks said.
The idea has worked so well
that in their first two months on
the job, Althea Daharsh, 64, Bill
Lycfle, 68, and former real estate
agent John Alexander, 61, reco
vered enough money to meet
the collection program’s entire
annual operating budget.
“In the past we hired student
help to supplement our full
time staff,” Banks said. “But by
the time we got the students
trained, it was time for them to
leave. So we decided to go for
the retirees.
“We talked with our person
nel department and came upon
the Older Persons Employment
Network in Ithaca. We con
tacted the agency and it turned
out that the first person they
sent us was a retired collector.
We decided that it was such a
good idea and decided to hire
two others.”
The trio started last winter
and the university’s been happy
with the results. They work
four-hour shifts, three nights a
week.
“We’ve been happy for a
number of reasons,” Banks said.
“First, they were pretrained.
They can also be used to train
our new full-time people. They
know the business. W^ don’t
have to hold their hands. They
can use the necessary diploma
cy, maturity and tact to talk to
our grads who owe us money.”
Banks said he doesn’t think of
the three as a team but he added
that they are “really dynamic.”
He acknowledged it’s the first
time Cornell collection officials
have been satisfied with the
part-time help.
“They’re extremely hard
working and conscientious,” he
said. “They’re super people.
They’re real characters.”
Banks said Cornell doesn’t
treat its collection process like a
typical agency would.
“We don’t browbeat any
body,” he said. “We’re more low
key and perhaps a bit more
thoughtful.”
Daharsh, who worked for a
collection agency 16 years, said
it’s difficult for her to explain
the success she and her co
workers have had but she came
up with some theories.
“You have to treat each per
son as an individual,” she said.
“Sometimes being very nice will
do the trick, other times you
have to be more aggressive. But
you can tell very quickly what
tactic to use. It comes with the
experience.”
Lydle, who worked with
Daharsh at the Credit Bureau of
Ithaca for about three years,
said experience is definitely the
key.
“It’s simple. We knew how to
find people and we also knew
how to talk to them. I’ve had 48
years of people-to-people ex
perience in my lifetime and
when you’ve had as much tele
phone time as I’ve had you can
read people’s voices and tell the
liars from the sincere ones.”
Daharsh added: “Basically,
most are willing to pay but they
kind of let it slide and no one’s
reminded them recently that
their money is due. There are
extenuating circumstances in all
the cases but some people just
don’t really care whether they
pay or not.
“That’s a small percentage
but the attitude they give us is,
‘The heck with you, go jump off
the pier,’ I can’t convey to them
that I’m angry but I am. I have to
keep it within myself. I just tell
them we’ll turn it over to the
attorneys.”
Lydle said that by and large
he thinks most people want to
pay, but the debtors need is
someone to reaffirm their re
sponsibility.
Both insisted they are diplo
matic and humane — unlike the
stereotype of the collection
agent.
“I’m a very human person,"
Lydle said. “But 1 only allow
people to lie to me once.
This year Town Hall/Broadway is offering a season ticket for the first time.
You can experience the wonderful world of the Great White Way and see
a free play! From music to murder, Town Hall/Broadway brings you some
of the finest New York theatrical attractions. And you get guaranteed seat
ing, a 20% discount from individual ticket prices (one free play) and priority
seating for the 1983-84 season. Share the thrill of Broadway right here at
home. We’re saving our best seats for you!
DEATHTRAP • November 21,1982
Starring Leslie Nielsen
ANNIE • December 7,1982
EVITA • February 15,1983
Look at the benefits you get as a season ticket subscriber:
• “Deathtrap” performance FREE! • Same reserved seats for each show!
• Priority seating for 1983-84 season!
TOWN HALL 82-83 BROADWAY SEASON ORDER
MAIL TO: MSC Box Office, P.O. Box J-1, College Station, TX 77844-9081.
Or call MSC Box Office, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 845-1234.
Name Phone #
Address Apt. #
City/State/Zip
CHECK ONE:
Orchestra
Rows
Zone 1 AA-L
Zone 2 M-Z
Balcony
Rows
Zone 1 A-K
Zone 2 L-Q
Zone 3 R-ZZ
Explain your seating preference:
First Choice
Second Choice
TICKET PRICES
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone
No. Tickets
x Price
= Total $
$41.00
$35.00
$30.00
Handling 100
PAYMENT: □ Visa □ MasterCard □ Check (to Town Hall) TOTAL _$
Card Number
Expiration Date Cardholder’s Name
What’s Up
TEXAS A&M PRE-TH EOLOG1CAL
MEETING:A meeting to discuss speakers,
catalogues and files, and vote on a trip to San Anti
Ik- held from 8:80 p.m. to 9:45 in 102 Rudder
SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING F.NG1M
:Sign-ups for the O I IS Plant 1 rip and dijcussi
Aggieland picture dale, a nominating commit^
coming speakers will Ik- held in a meeting at 7 p.n,
Zachry.
STUDENT ‘Y’.'Hey Ags! Come join our share gra
p.m. in the All Faiths Chapel Don’t miss it!
UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL*
■'Martin Luther”, will be shown at 7 p.m and a
light Communion Service of Meditation vullbeMi
p.m. at the University Lutheran Chapel, 3I5N
Main in College Station.
MSC COLLEGE BOWL TOURNAMENT*
narnent will be held at 6:30 p.m. in 510
public welcome to come and view the matches,
MBA/LAW DAY: I irketsloi Mb VL.u Dav.api
inform students about graduate studies in law
ness, will Ik* on sale at the MSC Box Office through!
and at the A&A lobby from 10 a.nt to‘2 pj
through Nov. 5. Program tickets are $2 and
lunch tickets will lx* 54.50.
INTERN A IT ON AL ST UDENTS
Cl ATI ON: A regular execuUve committee mees
be held at 6 p.m. at the ISA booth in the MSC
INDIA ASSOC IA I ION: A celebration of Indi
Year will be held on Nov. 13. AH members must jit
Diwali tickets from executives l>eforetlieendof'A
Just call one of them and reserve your tickets.No
will lx* sold after the deadline.
MSC HOSPTTAITT Y COMMITTEE:Attend
Anyone interested in competing in the 1983
ANM Scholarship Pageant should pick ttpap
available in 216 MSC at the Hospitality cubide,
line for all entries is Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.
DE I’ \R TMEM OF S I { HEX I ACTIVl
recognized student organizations are invitedtoj|
cubicle space in the Renovated Pavilion. Applid
due Friday. For more information, contact the
Activities Office at 845-1133.
MSC OUTDOOR RECREATION CO
TEE:Ttxlav is the last day to sign up in 216MSi
Kayak workshop to be held Saturday at Hildagt
Sign up begins in 216 MSC for a weekend canoe
the Neches River to he held Nov. 6 and 7.
PSE-PI SIGMA EPSl LONlOfficer elections,
initiation lee for voting rights, will beheldinanti
7:30 p.m. in 150 Ac ademic and Agency Building,
DATA PROCESSING MANAGEMENT
Cl ATTON:An Inf* n mation on Careers in Data!®
sing meeting, wit h Chevron, w ill he held at 7:30p:|
k
203 Ramada Inn. Opportunities with ChevronindBlgie quarterb
nia will be discussed. Anyone who is interestedinisjhis offense du
in data processing is invited to attend. Beer andTBiylor two we
ments will he provided. confident abou
HUMBLE HOMET OWN CLUB:The meetingik but that they’!
scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight has lx:en cancelled, in order to wit
WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS INC.:A ^ record anc
will be held at 7:30 p.m. in 03 Reed McDonaldtol I
Publicity Workshop Preparations and to plan fori
events.
FIT SCO PA L S I UDEN T ASSOCIATION:^
will meet for Holy Eucharist and supper at 5:30p
the Canterbury House, 902 Jersey St.
Thursday
INTRAMURAL-RKCCREATIONAL SPORTS:
sicmal Swim Meet will be held at 7 p.m. at theP.L,
Pool.
TEXAS A&M HOCKEY TEAM:A New Orleans
will be discussed in a meeting at 8 p.tn. in 204Stcri
Evans Library. All those going must attend.
MSC HOSPITALITY COMMITTEES HI
Children’s Party will be held at 7 p.m. in 230a
MSC. Faculty, staff and students children arek*
Attention ladies! Anyone interested in competinj'
1983 Miss Texas A&M Scholarship Pageant
up applications available now in 216 MSC at die F
ity cubicle. The deadline for all entries is Nov.Sad
MSC OUTDOOR RECR E ATTON:Sign up in 2H
for Thanksgiving trips: backpacking—CaneyCre
derness, Ark., and rafting — Big Bend National
Also, sign up for the weekend canoe trip to the!'
River to be held Nov. 6 through Nov. 7.
EVENING PRAYER BREAK-CANTERS
ASSOC IAT TON: A prayer break open to all-
relax, pray, and share — will be held at lO p.nrati
Faiths Chapel Meditation room.
YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF TEXAS A&M:Ap#
lx* held from 8 p.m. to midnight at BeeCreekP^
Southwest Parkway) to give the studentsofTexari
chance to meet some of the local candidates forf
office. Beer and lots of candidates will be there.E'f 1
is welcome!
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST:A
Training Class will be held at 8 p.m. in H3Rl f
NOTE: The time is one-half hour later than us 11
cause of yell practice. Everyone is welcome!
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Make the World Go Autf
Take a Break at
UNDERGROUND RAILRC
SNACK BAR
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Basement of Sbisa
^SPECIAL*
Good for 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Only
Buy a Hamburger or Cheeseburge f
& Fries
Get a Large Coke Free
Play a game while you wait.
(Offer good through Oct. 31, 1982)
“QUALITY FIRST”
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