DePaulia (DePaul University, Chicago, IL), 1991-05-10

              By Kathryn Bales Managing Editor Anew tuition payment method has been approved for the 199192 academic year, according to Kinga Mauger, director of financial accounts. The DePaul University Payment Plan (DePUPP) is a budget option which allows students to pay their tuition, fees, and room and board in monthly installments over a nine month period. The program was implemented by financial accounts after lis­ By Jennifer Tomshack Chief Reporter According to the U.S. Department of Education, fewer students are finishing their college educations in four years. DePaul and other universities across the country have been noticing an increasing trend in students taking five years to graduate instead of four. the See Inside photo by Rob Fbbre/Photo Editor A DePaul study conducted last fall revealed that over half of the students are finishing in five years, according to Kerrie Smith, associate director of institutional research. Of the full-time freshmen that entered DePaul in 1985, 59.9% graduated five years later while 57.7% of entering freshman in 1981 graduated in the same amount of time. The College of Commerce rates the higest numbers of Espial Cafe is more than a coffee shop. It's a bistro! See Offset Student responds to racist actions, crusades for respect. In OP/ED Sharon Coleman, all time Softball record holder for victories, talks about her career. See Sports Mexico and U.S. trade agreement could lead to extensive problems for both countries. See Op/Ed, News tening to responses from students who are enrolled in the current program, which is administered by the EFI/AMES group out of Rhode Island. "Students found it (EFI/AMES) beneficial in terms of budgeting their school expenses," said Mauger. Another reason for developing an in-house program, according to Mauger, was due to feedback from parents. "We've had parents who wanted a progam if it was affiliated within DePaul. They didn't want to go through an outside agency," said Mauger. Four year education no longer the norm students taking five years to graduate at 68.8%. The music and theater schools graduated 39.3% and 37.5%, respectively, in five years. Fredrick Miller, dean for the school of music, felt that the nature of studying music may contribute to more music students graduating in four years. "Studying music requires a huge time commitment, in and out of the classroom, and the students might not find the time for a job also. They need to take a full load of music classes to maintain continuity in their development." "Night students tend to be part time, so they take considerably longer to graduate," commented Smith. Anne Kennedy, associate vice president of academic affairs and enrollment management, at(See YEARS, page 5) DePaulia DePaul University's Official Student Newspaper Vol. 69, No. 22 DePaul University May 10, 1991 By Donald Opitz The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LA&S) will offer tuition breaks beginning this fall for certain courses which contain a public service component, announced Anna Waring, assistant dean of LA&S. Students who enroll in any of these three courses during the 1991-92 academic year are eligible for a Public Service Scholarship, which covers half the cost of tuition for the course. The courses which qualify for the reimbursement are Religious Studies 258, "God, Justice and Christian Action," Urban Studies 200, "Community Service Field Work Internship," and Sociology 392, "Internship." Each course requires a volunteer placement in a community agency in Chicago. The issues students face in their placement will be examined in class dis­ Financial accounts offer students payment options The budgeted amount is the student's total estimated annual charges, less the total estimated financial aid awards (annual scholarships, grants, loans). Books and personal expenses are not covered by DePUPP. "This new program should eliminate the $50 delinquincy fee that students are routinely assessed," stated Mauger. "The only time that a fee will be added to the account is in the event that the student misses a payment." Because this new system is an in-house service, the students 3- Community service rewarded through new scholarship fund cussions and readings. Students must meet the academic requirements of the courses as well as their volunteer commitments to successfully complete the class. "The Public Service Scholarships set aside school money for bringing together community service activity with academic study," said Waring. "It provides assistance to students who would like to volunteer but can't because they need to work while attending classes." According to Waring, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities through agencies and organizations involved with health care, youth services, tutoring immigrants and community development. The courses are applicable as electives or as requirements in certain majors. "It's ideal for the student to take all three," said will be able to see the credits to their accounts as they make their monthly payments. (Payment is due on the 15th of every month.) Mauger stated that all nongraduating students were sent details of this plan early last week. Applications for the 199192 academic year are due to the financial accounts office no later than June 28,1991, with the first payment due July 15th. Any applications received after this date must be accompanied by any past due payments to catch up to the The Rev. J. Bryan Hehir spoke Thursday on peace, justice, and the human experience. Fr. Hehir was third in a series of speakers celebrating Rerum Nov arum. Photo by Carolyn Schwaar/Photo Editor Waring. "Doing so exposes the student to the different issues raised in each course." The program is piloted to run at least two years, after which Waring hopes it will be an ongoing program. One objective, according to Waring, is to expand the number of courses which qualify, possibly making the collection of courses a concentration. "The opportunity demonstrates the university's Vincentian mission," said Waring. "The courses encourage undergraduates to become involved in the communities in which they live." Interested students must receive permission from the course instructor in order to enroll in the class. Students may receive additional information from Waring at 312/362-5227. regular schedule. Mauger said that because many students are unsure of their financial aid awards until after the June 28 deadline, she recommends that when determining the budget( amount, the student should "estimate high in calculating charges and estimate low for financial aid awards." Mauger added that because DePUPP is an in-house program, students requiring help in setting up a budget can make an appointment with any of the financial account managers. Positions for SGA available By Roland Alvarez This year's Student Government Association (SGA) elections are expected to have a better turnout than last year's, according to Terri Ford, SGA president. The elections will be held May 13-17. Ford attributes the higher turnout to a new voting procedure, due to the assistance extended to SGA by the service and information department. This year, all students must present their DePaul I.D. at the service and information desk before casting their votes. "The desk will be open for voters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Campus (LPC) and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Loop Campus (LC)." Ford stated that (See SGA, page 3)