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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 2002)
/ • he BATTi Pa, ait. bbard nuc-d from ects of the education.” ,bard socienj 1 jom together to;| .rises such as if, orist attacks. £ education uouidj Bis task. Bas e a short»? Boices that wiU ^ uitonary spiral $■; gross th, she s; Bard propose J a new disc t universities. ini is that an m education \si|| line in sshichi Business, fine could combi mos alive and s tor the ftmh Aggielife The Battalion Page 3 A • Thursday, September 12, 2002 No money, more problems Undents share experiences with overspending and credit card debt By Lyndsey Sage THE BATTALION ird said • studen the lu\u lets like thi! I he .’ton A few bucks on clothes here and a couple more a concert ticket there may not seem like a lot, and y at , hardly indulgences. Most students probably n’tfchink twice when it comes to whipping out dil cards to charge minor purchases. However, ^Hthe credit card bill arrives, some spenders are for a shock when they discover such spending is tip more quickly than they anticipated. For Steve Hatcher, a senior interdisciplinary : :hi»J>logy major, it was after he learned the lourt on his credit card billing statement that he cide l something needed to be changed about his proach to managing his credit card. “Oi ic day 1 noticed the amount on a bill that idelme nervous. It was not until then that I real- id the situation was out of control,” Hatcher said. Jow I have devised a workable plan to decrease / debt, and I am holding myself accountable.” Cft-iiii card debt has become one of the most mm, >n forms of revolving debt. About 65 million nericans suffer from some degree of insufficienct nds With interest rates ranging from 18 to 22 per- nt» credit card debt can be devastating if not han- ed in a responsible manner. According to Hatcher, the best way to prevent edit card debt is to stop it before it starts. “For first time users, I would suggest only pur- lasing items that one has the money for. This : aches the buyer to be wise by building sound edit. For expenses that are emergencies or :emed a ‘need,’ use the credit card with a short rm plan to pay off the balance. Once you have >me up with a plan, destroy all the cards except ic so that the balances do not increase from more jrchases,” Hatcher advised. Hatcher says the reason most people find them- ■ >• th it cu-m dves in cre dB car d debt is due to instant gratifica- on. Hatcher’s definition of instant gratification is Mik p.\turns : ’ ben consumers buy goods without a realistic idea ui.uh' lV-th T how lt wil1 56 P aid for - r in halv rctv accommodate for this, Hatcher recommends vcsicrda' 'at Students take a finance course on managing horentin on ey. the nionur “1 think that everyone has to be taught responsi bility,’’ Hatcher said. “Financial responsibility is one that is often overlooked or learned from a dreadful experience.” Donnie Fowler, system vice president credit card manager of First American Bank, advises stu dents to start in a program such as Aggiebucks before applying for a credit card. With Aggiebucks or a debit card, where money is drawn directly from one’s checking account, the student is aware of how much they have in their account and can monitor their spending record. “Most students don’t have credit, which makes it hard for them to get their foot in the door when they apply for a credit card,” Fowler said. “Once you do establish credit, though, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Start off small and build up your credit.” Fowler says it doesn’t hurt for students to go ahead and begin to build credit for when they get to the outside world; however, many things should be taken into consideration. First and foremost thing to consider, accord ing to Fowler, is income level. Students should be guided by their, or in many cases, their par ents’ level of income to determine the limitations nd lhai ihk* ■> their life integrate n ciai procev "social >v I further the nankind. pcech v.a.'i ; m h M World \V; SARAH FOWLER • THE BATTALION on their spending. When students’ credit card bills exceed the amount they can pay and they begin to accumulate a debt, Fowler suggests to immediately put away the credit card and call a lender to have the account closed. “If you have debt, keep it at a minimal. If you have a lot of debt, because you always want to have something open for emergencies, close the higher accounts,” Fowler said. “This looks good from a lender’s standpoint because when I see someone who has five credit cards, all of which are close to being maxed out and the accounts on those cards are closed, I know they aren’t using those cards anymore.” Fowler said as long as one slowly establishes credit, everything should be fine. “When you can’t pay the minimum payment, your credit will be hurt,” Fowler warns. “However, as long as you maintain and keep it up, you will have no problems later on when it comes to buying a house or vehicle.” Fowler advises students to keep the number of credit cards under their name to three or less and for students to check into credit card programs offered specifically for students. Lucas Fried, a sophomore management infor mation systems major, said he recognizes the importance of establishing good credit for the future and is in the process of applying for a credit card. Fried realizes that credit cards offer more than the ability is to establish sound credit. “You don’t have to carry around a check book. I forget mine all the time, and I don’t always carry around cash,” Fried said. “It is always good to have one in case of emergencies.” However, Fried knows that with the convenience of a credit card comes the responsibility of manag ing it. One method Fried plans to employ is to write down every transaction to double check it with the billing statement. “Once I use the credit card, I plan to make sure that I have that money in the bank,” Fried said. “Also, I plan only to use it on small stuff where I don’t rqn up a huge credit.” ncations dirt vers gene PEOPLE IN THE NEWS rememix VilliaiTIS SistCFS Hir, the ass ihe tali luckle up for safety II alw.ns nr NEV v Y ORK (AP) - Serena and appened unus Williams, in a series of ationwide radio public-sen/ice mouncements, are urging peo- T Y to buck,e their seat belts - I * ):^ erena defeated her sister 1_jX V/^Jturday to win the U.S. Open, 2r third straight Grand Slam d :le. ,1,. ( < The sisters recorded the seat- slt commercials for the ABC adio Network, and the spots agan airing late last week as art of a national awareness impaign. anoupi fnd.iy "Especially since minorities are sproportionately affected by ■ c'lCsioThe Bar ito accident deaths from not earing seat belts, we're delight- : icxasA&MUr- j to help spread this message," 1 ^ :T 2 ^; e: ; lid Richard Williams, the play- p or endorsement If til 845-2696. For nd McDonald, andt" l xas A&M student t<n ,2h< Mail subsenj'; n for the summer# ‘ press, can 845-26*. >n. Photo Edit* a. Graphics H<i Radio Produce ers' father and coach. According to the Department of Transportation, minorities are less likely to wear seat belts and place children in safety seats. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for blacks 14 and younger. Glover calls for global awareness LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Danny Clover urged an audi ence of more than 700 people at the University of Arkansas to take a more active role in their communities and in the world. The star of films including "The Color Purple" and the "Lethal Weapon" series, Glover said, "It's extremely important that we listen to and learn from one another in the larger global community." On the eve of Wednesday's one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Clover said war is not the key to fighting terrorism. Instead, he said, the government should attack "the sources of terrorism," such as poverty. "Going to war and taking lives is not the process that works," he said. "What you've done is effectively cut off any discourse or dialogue. If we're only going to govern by anger, then we've lost the game." The 55-year-old actor also said Americans should pay more attention to global issues, such as sustainable urban development and over consumption of natural resources. "We're taking a terrible toll on this planet," he said. De Niro looking for scientific scripts NEW YORK (AP) - Robert De Niro and his Tribeca Film Institute partner, Jane Rosenthal, are looking for scripts with sci entific or technological themes for possible development. The scripts, due Nov. 1, should have a leading character who is a scientist, mathematician or engineer. Each submission should include a feature-length script, a short synopsis up to two pages, and the writer's resume. Science fiction story lines won't be accepted. Two writers will be chosen in the first year of the program, and will receive financial sup port and insight from filmmak ers and science experts. At least one script will be read at the second annual Tribeca Film Festival in spring 2003, and the completed film will screen at the 2004 festival. "What we're doing here is really looking for the next 'A Beautiful Mind,' 'Memento' or 'Good Will Hunting,"' said Doron Weber, program director of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which is a partner in the pro gram with Tribeca Films. Ali memorabilia up for auction in L.A. LAS VEGAS (AP) - The robe worn by Muhammad Ali before fighting Joe Frazier in 1971 and the trunks he donned for "The Thrilla in Manila" against Frazier four years later will be on display during Saturday night's title fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas. The memorabilia is from the col lection of Drew "Bundini"Brown, Ali's cornerman. Brown, who died in 1987, kept nearly everything Ali gave him from each of his fights, from his shoes to his gloves. Ali signed most of the items, and Brown kept them over the decades in a California storage locker. Bidding began last Friday. On Monday, the red velvet robe Ali wore before entering the ring on March 8, 1971 in New York to decide the heavyweight champi onship of the world had a bid of nearly $30,000, auction organizer Darren Julien said in Los Angeles. "Being Muslim, Ali did not stockpile possessions," Julien said. Anxiety Group Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:00 PM An interpersonal group for students who suffer from general or social anxieties. Students will work on the impact of anxieties in their lives, as well as explore the interpersonal meanings of anxiety symptoms. Thesis/ Dissertation Support Group Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 PM This group is for graduate students struggling with the process of writing a thesis or dissertation. Group topics include issues of competence, pro crastination, anxiety, goal setting, and bureaucratic Struggles. Facilitators: Brian Williams & Debbie Rabinowitz Older Than Traditional Age Group Facilitators: Carlos Orozco & Peter Barnes Eating Concerns & Body Image Issues Group Mondays 4:00 - 5:30 PM Provides information and support for those trying to overcome an eating disorder. We will discuss topics related to eating concerns such as the development of trusting relationships, expression of feelings, and man agement of stress. <An individual meeting with a group leader prior to attendance at group is required.) Facilitators: Amanda Samson & Kristin Ober Women’s Issues Group Mondays 1:30-3:00PM Come together with other women and work on be coming the woman you’ve always wanted to be. Improve your self-confidence, assertiveness, and relationships by sharing and processing with other women with similar issues. Facilitators: Nancy Welch & Erin Collins Academics Anonymous Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30 PM Motivated to improve your academic performace but find it difficult to be consistent in your ef forts? Join this 9 week support group on Wednesdays from 4-S:30pm beginning Sept 18th and ending Nov 13th. Learn effective study strategies, and get support from others. Topics may include procrastination and building aca demic confidence. Screening before Sept 16th is required for participation. Facilitators: Patti Collins & Carla Hilland STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICE Texas A&M University Conflict & Goss in Relationships Group Part of the Diutsiancf Slider* Afeiis Fall Se Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:30 PM rroup participants are typically 25 years Id and above. Through regular atten- ance and active participation this group orks to create a safe environment deal- ng with such issues as anxiety, depres- ion, motivation, and isolation. Facilitator: Carlos Orozco Mondays 5:00 - 6:30 PM This group is for students who are currently or have previously experi enced conflict in interpersonal or ro mantic relationships, or who have recently experienced a loss of mean ingful relationship. Facilitators: Brian Williams & David Sandrow Non-Traditional Women’s Group 5:15 - 6:45 PM Career Exploration Group Thursdays 4:00 - 5:30 PM This is a 5 week group beginning on Oct 17th. Designed to teach par ticipants how to make decisions. Groups will identify interests, skills, work values and personality charac teristics; research the job market and occupation. An initial appointment with a career counselor is required. Tuesdays For women 23+ allows each member to enter the group with her own unique issues, within a group context. Helps women who are wanting to de velop healthier ways of dealing with the stress of school, work, relationships, personal problems and family issues. Facilitators: Carla Hilland & David Sandrow Facilitators: Amanda Samson & Carla Hilland Bipolar Support Group Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 PM Provides support and information to students diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Group meets weekly and is led by a psychiatrist. Potential A&M University hits .1 strong institutional itment to the principle of diversity in all hi dial spirit, admission to Texas A&M trsity and any of its sponsored programs is °pcn to all qualified individuals without tegaid to any subgroup classification or stereotype. topics include diagnosis, symptoms, medications, and lifestyle issues/ relapse prevention. Hall -4427 www.scs.tamu.edu Interpersonal Growth & Exploration Group Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:30 PM This psychotherapy group is for students desiring to live more authentically with themselves and relate more genu inely with others. Explore self-limiting life patterns and share with others through honest self-disclosure in a safe, supportive atmosphere. Biofeedback Workshop Tuesdays 4:00 - 6:00 PM One-session workshops that give an introduc tion to relaxation techniques, including how biofeedback aids in relaxation. Individual fol low-up consultation is available. Exploring Self-Hypnosis Tuesdays 10:00-11:30 This eight week workshop will teach participants to use techniques of self hypnosis to enhance well-being and improve self-mastery . "...at the count of three....you will ...call for an appointment ...1...2.... " © Facilitators: Ron Lutz & Nancy Welch Academic SURVI VOR Series Tuesdays 3:45-5:15 PM Need some help surviving the academic transi tion from high school to college? Before the “tribal council votes you off,” attend this Tues day series beginning Oct 8th and ending Dec 3rd. Screening before Oct 7th required for participation. Facilitators: Patti Collins & Nancy Welch
