I use Facebook the most out of any social network. It negatively affects my work because I end up checking the website constantly while I am completing my homework and it interrupts my thought process completely. I think that being connected on the internet can really allow you to express your unfiltered opinion and it also allows you to become informed about various current events and situations that you never would have known about otherwise. These are very positive outcomes of the internet. I don’t usually like to bring my laptop to class for this very reason, but on occasion I do bring it and go on Facebook while I am in class. Yes it has helped me stay connected with high school friends in ways that a phone could never do. If I say I am not obsessed with facebook, am I in denial?! Well, I don’t think I am obsessed compared to other people but I do check it multiple times a day. But to me, being obsessed with Facebook means seeing everything in life in terms of a Facebook post. If you see something or have an interaction in your day that you immediately think you must talk about on Facebook, you are obsessed with the website. Facebook has made me depressed in terms of past relationships. It is hard to be constantly connected to people if you are trying to distance yourself from them. Seeing how they move on and interact with other people can make you very depressed. Also, seeing how devoted some people are to the website makes me very depressed because I don’t like to think that the main thing they care about is Facebook. I think Facebook can damage real life interactions if you are constantly connected to the website. Seeing people sitting next to each other but on their phones checking Facebook is damaging to the real life friendship. Also, the website can cause rifts in relationships because pictures and posts can be misconstrued.
Meghan Levine:
1) I use Facebook and Tumblr the same amount of time during the day. 2) Personally it doesn't have any negative impact on my work. 3) Facebook has definitely kept me connected to what is going on in my old friend's lives since we have all parted ways. In addition Tumblr has been positive because of the content on the site. It exposes me to a lot of current artists works, and has given me inspiration for my work on numerous occasions. 4) Rarely ever, being an art major majority of my class time is spent working. If I ever use it during class it is for research. 5) Yes, it's much easier to stay involved with each other because we are able to see what we are all up to through pictures/ conversation. 6) Not at all. 7) I can definitely say it has brought me down on a few occasions. It is easy to get discouraged by the ways others are portraying there lives. If you feel distant from someone and they are posting pictures of themselves out having fun it's upsetting no doubt. Facebook could definitely damage real life interactions. Like any technology it creates a third wall for us. It's so much easier to talk to someone through a screen opposed to having a face to face interaction with them. The added anonymity of social network cripples us in reality. Once we have to go face this person in everyday life we can't, we don't have that protection, and the interaction fails. Facebook is just as negative as it is positive.
2) These people make good sources because they grew up surrounded by social media and still are. At college, you are on your own and have to find a balance between work and social media. They go through this first hand and have a good insight on how people utilize social media.
3) I plan to talk to students who are more affected by social media. I think it would be interesting to show more of a contrast between people who have figured out how to balance and those who have just become obsessed with social media. I would also like to talk to older subject who may use social media for different reasons.
Sam How has social media affected your relationships with significant others, friends, and family? family and friends: makes it easy to keep In touch with people without having to talk every day, bad because you have to worry about what you have to hide from family (party pics) s.o.: makes things complicated when people comment on relationship changes people know more about your life than you want them to How is it a positive influence on those relationships? nice when extended family joins, can send them random things, more connection with extended family. Sending things on facebook shows that you’re thinking of someone How is it a negative influence on those relationships? causes people to find out too much because of what other people put up. People become too involved in your life. In what ways does social media influence the way you act around the people in your life? in the back of your mind you think are pictures are going to end up on facebook or worry that someone wil quote you on twitter How often do you use social media to connect with people? pretty much every day
Melissa How has social media affected your relationships with significant others, friends, and family? It lets me talk to a bunch of people at once, I always have at least 5 chats open on facebook when I’m on to talk to people from home. I get invites to parties and stuff on facebook, even my mom messages me about thanksgiving or whatever is going on so she can talk to me and my brother at once. I use tumblr to vent about my boyfriend a lot, and hope that he sees it. How is it a positive influence on those relationships? It lets my whole family talk to each other at once instead of just at holidays like we used to. And it lets me keep in contact with all my friends from home. How is it a negative influence on those relationships? my boyfriend gets mad when I post statuses aimed at him. It probably makes all our fights a lot worse cause everyone else gives their opinion on our relationship and makes things more complicated. In what ways does social media influence the way you act around the people in your life? I never let people take pictures of me if I look bad because I know that they’ll end up on instagram or facebook. I also know if someone’s mad at me cause they post about it on tumblr so I’ll try to get them to say something to my face when we hang out. How often do you use social media to connect with people? all the time. Especially if I’m having a party or something , then I can just invite everyone at once.
How much time do you spend on social media sites per day on average? Jenn- 1-2 hours a day Sorana- 30 minutes a day. Today ive actually done nothing im skipping a class right now. Annie- 2 hours a day Rachel- 45 minutes to an hour a day Do you think it has affected your school work? Jenn- Yeah because it’s a procrastination tool Sorana- Yesh Annie- Yes. I haven’t done anything all day because I’ve been on Facebook. Rachel- No, because it’s not that big of a distraction for me because I hate social media. I would do a lot more if I had an i phone. Do you think social media is on the decline or incline? Annie : I used to want so many friends on facebook and yesterday I actually deleted 200 friends, I don’t care as much anymore. Rachel- As a whole its on the incline, but facebook is on the decline. It always changes like Myspace used to be awesome and now its gone. Sorana- Overall its rising, but I don’t care about it as much as I used to. Jenn- I think it is increasing. More people are getting into it with smart phones and stuff. Has social media ever made you feel sad or depressed? Jenn- Yeah, seeing something sad on facebook makes me feel that way Sorana- Yeah. Seeing what other people are doing if im in a shitty mood makes me depressed. Annie- Yeah Rachel- Yes. Somebody hacked my Facebook and put vicious slander up. I went on and my status was “Karma. I’m a whore”
Has social media changed your relationships with anyone? Jenn- yeah people post things that cause fights and drama if you are opinionated with your thoughts on social media. Sorana- not really I keep it real Annie- I actually did creepily message Ryan on Facebook and messaged him and that’s how I met the summer set and became friends with them, so it could be a positive thing. Rachel- My ex boyfriend hacked my account and read all my messages to my best friend from home. It caused a lot of drama and has changed things. Does social media affect the way you act around people/in life? Jenn- If you are afraid you may not say or do something that you think people might post a picture of later BE CAREFUL!!! Sorana- I take facebook as a joke, its not my real life. If you want to see that as my real life then go ahead but me and my friends know whats real. Annie- Yes because I don’t want things like pictures of me in a sorority to show up on facebook for everybody to see. You can’t make people take things down. Rachel- You wouldn’t wear something that you wouldn’t want to be on Facebook forever. I sometimes choose to not wear as revealing clothing because I don’t want that on social media.
1. How many times a week do you typically drink? 2. What is your main reason for drinking? 3. What is your drink of choice? 4. What positive things in your life have come from alcohol consumption? 5. What negative things have come from alcohol consumption?
Interviewee 1
1. Around three nights a week 2. to socialize with friends and take the edge off due to all the stress caused by the week. 3. I usually go for vodka and Sprite 4. In the long term none i guess but the environment associated is one in which it is easy to make new friends. 5. I will often not remember a night and black out. Sometimes I have said rude things to friends or have done embarrassing things and have felt like I have not been able to live them down (*example)and the next day I will just feel terrible physically and mentally.
Interviewee 2 1. Roughly three nights a week. 2. I go out and drink to have fun and let loose. 3. I like Redbull and vodka. 4. I have a fun time with my friends and the memories and pictures will last a lifetime. 5. I spend all my money and drinking has seriously impeded my health.
1.Do you think you are educated and informed about what is happening with the college’s budget? -I think students are not as aware as they should be. They should know that they have a voice and can send emails and letters and make themselves heard. They can let the people in charge know about their dissatisfactions. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it!”
2.Do you notice the budget cuts hindering your experience as a student? -Yes, there are not enough staff members as the college requires and the construction is taking too long cause they’re running out of money.
3.How are the budget cuts affecting you? -I can’t get into any of my classes. When I tell them that all the classes I want to take are full my advisors tell me that I should to take classes that would make me a ‘more well rounded person’ in the meantime. Basically what this means is that they want me to pay to stay here and waste my time in classes that I have no interest in and will not get me any closer to graduating.
4.What do you think should be done about the fact that the college is limiting funding to many departments? -I know no one wants to hear this but if the college needs to raise tuition in order to be able to hire and pay more professors so students can get into the classes they need, then that may be the case. “It really isn’t fair that the economy sucks and the school feels it needs to make cuts but we still need the same classes as other years, and we should be able to graduate on time.”
For my second interview I emailed a woman from the college's finance department; I am currently waiting for her response.
1-How many different social networking sites do you have an account with? What are they? a. 4, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook 2- How often do you visit these sites? a. Hourly 3- Do you use a laptop, desktop, tablet, iPhone, any other device, or all of the above? a. Laptop and cellphone 4- How does your social networking affect your day to day interactions? a. It adds to my interactions with people, because I don’t need to be around them to have a conversation. b. Takes away from my social interactions because I stay inside for hours at a time on Tumblr not talking to people. 5- How does your social networking affect your school work? a. When I’m in the library it’s hard to study, because I constantly check my Facebook, and twitter. b. The good part about social networking is that I’m able to communicate with other classmates. c. I think there are often many miscommunications through social networking. 6- Do you feel there are more positive or negative outcomes from social networking? Why? a. I think there are more negative effects, because it takes away from time that I could be spending on school work and real life socialization. Also I would be able to go outside more, and exercise while outdoors.
1- How many different social networking sites do you have an account with? a. 6, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Ichat, Skype 2- How often do you visit these sites? a. Multiple times an hour, and about a half an hour for each visit. 3- Do you use a laptop, desktop, tablet, iPhone, any other device, or all of the above? a. iPhone, laptop 4- How does your social networking affect your day to day interactions? a. I talk to people more online than I do in person, and I don’t see the sun or exercise as much as I should. b. I think it’s easier to talk to people online, because you can think about what you want to say. 5- How does your social networking affect your school work? a. It provides an outlet for procrastination, because it’s so easily distracting. b. It’s a lot easier to find information, and you can find other peoples work online. c. You can share work and ideas with others in your class more easily. 6- Do you feel there are more positive or negative outcomes from social networking? Why? a. I think for school work the outcomes are more negative, and for social interaction it brings both negative and positive outcomes. b. If you are in a long distance relationship you can communicate with them using texts, phone calls and video chats.
Z: How long ago did you graduate? N: I graduated from Binghamton in 2007 with a degree in Environmental Studies. I couldn't find a job in my field, so I went back to school for teaching and graduated with a degree in that in 2009. Since then, I've only found positions in child care and now I work front-desk at Mohonk Mountain House. Z: And how much did all that cost? N: I got a lot of scholarships out of high school, but I still graduated with 20k in debt. After grad school, I added like 12k on top of that. So I'm over 30k. I make so little money, I work only to pay back my loans. I had to move back in with my parents. Z: It sounds like you're upset about all this. N: Of course I am. We were raised being told that if we got a college education we could get a good job. Now all that's gone. There's no guarantee. People say it's merit based, but I can't even get my foot in the door. Teaching jobs are being cut, and it's not looking good. Z: The average student graduates college with 26k in debt. How does it make you feel to know that your story is just one of many? N: It's sad. I'm not too good at math, but that's a lot of money. Z: Thanks.
Derek C, 26
Z: How long ago did you graduate? D: I actually have not graduated yet. I'm 9 credits shy. Z: How long have you been in school? D: Since 2004. I dropped out in 2008, but went back next fall. Z: And you took out loans to finance school? D: I did. For two years I went to community college and that was covered by grants but loans paid for the rest. Z: And how much do you owe? D: At least 20k. I don't really know. I haven't paid it in months. Z: You haven't paid it? D: I was arrested in 2008, and because of that I can't find any kind of job. I can't pay with what I don't have. Z: Are you working to complete your degree? D: I am. I should graduate in May. I saved up to pay for it.
Interview 1: Rachel Q: Can you define binge drinking in your own words? A: I think binge drinking is drinking more than four drinks at one time aiming to get drunk, not just drinking for social fun, just like having a glass of wine, but drinking to get belligerent-ish. Q: With that would you consider yourself a binge drinker? A: Yeah, because I drink like normally three times a week, planning to get drunk. That’s my purpose. Q: Why is that your purpose? A: Because I’m a college student and I think that like 98.9% of us have a purpose to be drunk as often as possible, because we can!...there’s no supervision. Q: Do you think binge drinking has become a normal part of the college experience? A: Yes. I think you’re expected to drink in college because this is the only time we can. Before this we were too young, and after this we have responsibilities, so this is our four year period when it is socially accepted to binge drink. Q: Are you aware that alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group? A: No, but I’m not worried. I think that I know my limits, and I don’t think that after college I’m going to continue drinking. So from 18-21 or whenever I graduate; during that period I think I’ll still be smart enough to not overdose on alcohol. Q: In your mind, what is the line between drinking and binge drinking? A: I think drinking is just social drinking, like a beer or two with your friends and to relax, whereas binge drinking is like “alright chug this! Let’s get intoxicated” Q: Well don’t you consider going to parties a social event? So by your definition would you consider drinking and binge drinking the same thing? A: Well if you’re doing it socially, it’s more of a relaxed environment and nothing is expected. But if you’re going out and drinking you’re expected to drink so much so that you’re loosened up, like ready to dance and have a lot of fun with people. And if you’re just planning to sit down and have a beer with people it’s not the same environment.
Interview 2: Jon Q: Can you define binge drinking in your own words? A: I would say binge drinking is drinking more than about 6 beers or drinks in general at night. Q: By that definition, would you consider yourself a binge drinker? A: Yeah, when I drink I definitely drink more than 5 or 6 drinks at a time. Q: Do you as a college student think that binge drinking has become a part of the college experience? A: Absolutely, it’s something to do. Q: Why do you do it? A: Because that’s what there is to do. You just go out and drink and have a good night. And depending on how much you drink, sometimes you remember it and sometimes you don’t. Q: Did you drink as much as you do now as when you were in high school? A: No, definitely not. Q: What changed? A: Just the amount that I drink and the availability. Q: Do you think it is the environment you are in? A: Yeah, it definitely depends on the availability. Q: In your mind, what is the line between drinking and binge drinking? A: Honestly to me I think binge drinking and drinking are the same thing. If you’re going to drink, you’re not just drinking to get nice. If you have enough money, which is like eight dollars to get like 8 beers, then you’re going to get pretty intoxicated. And if you are able to do that, then you’re going to do that whenever you want to. Q: Have your drinking habits had any serious consequences? A: Not really at all, not in college. Q: Are you aware that alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group? A: I had a general idea of that, but I’ve never experienced alcohol poisoning myself. But I’ve definitely drank myself into oblivion some nights. I guess I just have a high tolerance. Q: Do you take that statistic into account when you drink? A: Yes, but I’ll still drink if it’s available. Q: What is available to you? A: Whatever I can get my hands on. If it’s a bottle of liquor that night then so-be-it, if its beer, then I’ll be drinking that. Sometimes I’ll mix the two together for a faster, harder effect.
1) Are all of your current or previous professors doing an effective job at this time/in the past? Alyssa Fields, Junior: No, plenty throughout school and one specific one this semester. Faiqa Amreen, Junior: Not last semester. 2) Describe classroom scene Alyssa: She would lecture. Everyone would pretend to listen, no one really would be. There was chaos and side conversation. She would make some comments that could be determined as racist. I.e.: only calling on certain students because of their ethnicity and assuming they know that specific area. Faiqa: It was really boring. It felt like she talked down to us. None of the work we did was relevant to the exams. I was always thinking it was a waste of my time. I felt like it was wasting my tuition. I just didn’t wanna go to class. 3) What specifically bothers you about a current professor or a previous one? Alyssa: She wouldn’t explain things, we had to learn the course on our own. She never really taught us the material that would be on the quizzes. I spent the whole semester trying to teach myself the material. I found myself consumed for five hours certain nights. Faiqa: She took her job too seriously, specifically when the situation didn’t warrant for it. Then when I needed her to be a professor, she couldn’t be there for me. She acted more like a friend. It was as though she didn’t know when to be which. 4) Did this affect your overall grade? Alyssa: I did end up with a decent grade but I know I worked harder independently than should have been for a general education requirement. Faiqa: Yeah, definitely… I did poorly. I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. I feel like if she had taught better, I would have made a connection to what the material was. Her teaching could have ruined my interest in the subject also because going into it, I truly thought it was something I cared about. 5) Do you feel that these professors are not deserving of their positions? Alyssa: I tried to get her terminated actually. I reported her to the head of her department. I basically explained that she was very disorganized and would lose our assignments and that I felt this affected my grade. The dean explained that if I wanted to further pursuit this, I could go to the dean of the school. Faiqa: To a certain extent. Maybe her teaching style could have worked for other students. However, I seemed to have been getting a bad experience with that class. I won’t ever take classes in that department again. 6) What do you think can be attributed to their poor teaching? Alyssa: I think she was knowledgeable in the subject and she was good at what she taught… You could tell that she knew her material well. However, she could not explain it to us. Faiqa: I didn’t think she was organized. I could tell the final and midterm were thrown together last minute. I think she was more focused on her research to further her prestige and get published. 7) Have you seen patterns with poor teaching? Alyssa: I feel like there’s a specific personality—the type of professor that is unorganized and just does not pull it together to help run a classroom. However, there are also the type of professors who are older and have become lazier with their teaching habits. I don’t like the concept of tenure is a major cause of this. It triggers the lazy aspects both with the professor and the authority figures. Faiqa: They usually already have tenure. She did and I feel like they usually just give and no longer care. It bothers me because I’m not paying tuition for a tenure; I’m paying to learn. I feel like evaluation on the tenured professors should be revoked more easily and these professors should be evaluated more often. I hope to become a professor or teacher and while tenure seems like something that would ease my mind, I would still appreciate knowing I’m doing well with my job.
1. When did you get your first cell phone? PeiPei: Middle school Kenasha: Elementary school
2. Do you remember how old you were? If you do, how old were you? PeiPei: I don't remember how old, I just know it was middle school. Kenasha: Ten years old
3. What do you use your cell phone for mostly? PeiPei: Facebook, emails, messages, games, weather, reminders Kenasha: Instagram, texting, and calling
4. Have you ever texted someone that was only a couple of minutes away cause you are too lazy to call them yourself? PeiPei: Yes Kenasha: No
5. Why do you do that? PeiPei: Yes, takes away attention from what I am doing to do something else. Kenasha: No, I rather yell. That's stupid to text someone that's close to you.
6. At night do you sleep with your phone on your desk or under your pillow? PeiPei: Not by my pillow but next to me, There is an attachment I have with my phone. It needs to be with me. It's like a child. Kenasha: I leave my phone on my desk. I do not use my cellphone as my alarm clock because I own an alarm clock
7. How often do you check your phone in a day? PeiPei: I check my phone 15x in a day Kenasha: I check my phone 50x a day
8. Answer in one word, In a world without cellphones__________? PeiPei: The world is coming to an end We're too technology driven, to take that familiarity away will be difficult Kenasha: We would try and find and easier way to communicate without a cellphone or develop some other variation.
9. Do you count your phone as a big distraction for school/work? PeiPei: Everyone is used to having a cellphone so it is not really a distraction cause we are used to it. Kenasha: In general: No I don't know how to multitask, being in class and being on their phone. Personally: No, I know how to multitask and I know when to be on the phone and when not to be on the phone.
10. What kind of cellphone do you own? PeiPei: IPhone Kenasha: Android
Danielle Shabin 1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career? A: My name is Danielle Shabin and I am a 20 year old communication disorders major. I am a transfer junior and I hope to become a speech pathologist after furthering my education in grad school. 2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where? A: I originally went to SUNY University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY and now I attend SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY. 3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college? A: Both colleges are state schools. 4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education? A: I currently pay $6,758 in tuition and fees (yearly) by way of loans and I pay for room and board as well as personal expenses by my own means/help from parents. In buffalo, I took out loans for tuition yearly by $7,989 – and $11,310 for room and board by loans also. 6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving? A: I attended University at Buffalo (a science/research based university) and I think that the cost I paid was worth it for student activities and room/board but definitely not by way of the education or classes I took. It was subpar for what I was paying. SUNY New Paltz (small, liberal arts school) on the other hand, is pretty much what I deserve for paying tuition. 7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt? A:Not graduated yet. 8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt? A: I would probably have to go into a trade school, live at home and work on the side. I’d have no loans but I would be making far less than with a college education and most likely stuck for a lifetime with an unfulfilling job. 9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college? A: Not graduated yet. 10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt? A: My life is currently affected by student loan debt because I work all summer and end up scrounging what I have to pay for living expenses throughout the year. I have to make sacrifices based on logic when it comes to money so this limits leisure. In the future, I will probably spend the first ten years of my working life slowly repaying my loans. I have accepted this, and I will hopefully be debt free by age 35.
11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society? A: I think it is more of a passage to an adulthood than an ostracism. At this point, everyone has student loans to pay and it is the sacrifice we made to be part of the middle class. 12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans? A: I will be in debt for the first decade of my working life and I hope everything will be paid off by the time I am 35 years old. 13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans? A: Since I have started college. I am in debt for the last 2 and a half years of my life. 14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how. A: The only way out of debt is to work very hard in my late 20’s and establishing my career. I plan to work overtime and take clients on the side for extra money as means out of this debt. 15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt? A: I am not positive of how much debt I have accumulated but I know it is reaching the $30,000 range by this time as a junior. 16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in? A: Not graduated yet. 17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for? A: I can estimate I will be paying my loans back in a monthly manner (fanniemae) for about a decade. 18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans? A: On average, I feel like I am a 1,000 dollars further in debt – every month that I am in college. 19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans? A: I do not know how much of my income goes to paying back student loans but I know it is an extremely small percentage based on the limited annual income my parents are helping me with and the little bit less than 4,000 dollars I make in a summer of working. 20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college? A: I know that interest is accumulating more and more with time and will increase again when I am in grad school but since I am actively paying it at the same time – it is likely less than most students.
21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college? A: I do not know how much my interest individually increases after college. 22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living? A: Absolutely not. I think this country is run on the working class sector and the skills they provide so we need to respect these people more and open up more trade schools to increase their numbers. College is socially acceptable but it is not for everyone. 23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK? A: Absolutely. Education should be the first priority for the American government considering all our problems as a nation are a direct result of this socioeconomic based education system that keeps the lower classes poorer and more ignorant despite their high numbers. 24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance? A: I think employers should only hire people based on educational accomplishments if it is necessary to the occupation in terms of knowledge and craft. Otherwise, employers should be more accepting of people who have been working in the same field and have extensive experiences in the job despite a lack of education. Experience outdoes college. 25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees? A: I only think student loans are assistance from the government in the sense that we have extended time to pay off the loans as opposed to giving the money up front. Otherwise, the whole scenario seems like a major banking business deal. 26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)? A: I have not graduated yet to answer this question. 27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt) A: I am currently college education by associated degree and I hope to acquire a full undergraduate degree and masters. I have no other debts beside student loan to pay. 28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job? A: No, I am currently not employed in a job. 29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans? A:Yes. Since I am living on the basis of loans and saved money – I have to struggle deciding which weeks to buy gas and which weeks to buy groceries. I do everything I can not to spend more than fifty-eighty dollars a week. 30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy? A: Yes, I heard this occurred in lieu of the recession within the last few years.
31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this? A: I have never been bankrupt. 32) Q: How does this make you feel? A: It makes me feel like I should live very cheaply to make sure I never go bankrupt. 33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education? A: Yes. I feel this way mainly because the extent of the money we pay to go to school isn’t fully disclosed as to where it is being received. I think colleges run on far less money than we all collectively pay so somebody is making millions out of our expense. 34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors? A: I think college campuses are spending our money on construction because most of these schools haven’t been updated since the 1960’s and so the facilities are not efficient based on how much we pay now. Also, I think colleges put grant money and donations first based on exactly what the benefactor wants – which is usually an appearance based endeavor. Superficial appearance is what attracts people to schools so education takes the back burner for when those new students have enrolled. 35) Q: How do you feel about this? A: It makes me frustrated because I would rather have great professors and more personalized choices for classes than a new dining room or walkway.
36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year? A:Absolutely. Things are only getting worse as the situation with education in our nation is continued to be ignored due to vast economic debt and issues overseas. Colleges are getting less and less help so we are paying out of our pocket to run them. 37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be? A: I have not graduated yet but I know it is more expensive than it used to be. 38) Q: Do you think the educational system in America is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)? A: I think that the educational system in America is only fair to an extent of the attempt to include different demographics but extremely outdated in creating solutions and the education itself. 39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt? A: My parents offer a few thousand dollars a year to help me pay back my loans and keep interest low but other than that, I am on my own. 40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s? A: The student loans are mostly under my name and some are under my fathers’ name.
41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective? A: I am not considering this because I believe my situation is not nearly as dire as other students across America. I am fortunate in relation, and those kids need to write because I will likely receive no aid. 42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not. A: The student loan debt has created anxiety in the sense that I feel pressure to find a good job after college and make sure I will be financially stable in my career. This is not common these days. 43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans? A: I don’t feel that I was misinformed but I believe a lot of information is left out and hidden in the fine print to influence students so everyone needs to read up on their policies. 44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why. A: Yes, because I have no other choice. I do not have anyone who can pay for me and other reliable options do not exist if I plan to do well in school. I will not degrade myself any other way to receive aid or money. 45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan. A: I do not work in the financial aid office. 46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans A: ^ 47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt? A: I am simply stressed over my future ability to pay off these debts and constantly considering my options in saving money or minimizing debt by living cheaply. This is a daily consideration but at least I have all the necessities I need to live healthy. My circumstance will always lead me to search for the cheapest housing, food options and transportation.
48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt. A: Most people I know are struggling to survive due to student debt. Too many people to name from to top of my head but I can discuss unique situations of my housemates individually. Sarah is paying for school by loans and room and board by working on the weekends. She bartends all through Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon at a country club to make several hundred dollars a week to get by. This makes it very difficult for her to finish all her schoolwork in time. Danny is paying for school by loans and is receiving social security as unemployed due to past jobs he has had before coming to New Paltz. His parents do not help him pay for anything and he must rely wholly on unemployment checks and loans. Brittany is being helped by her father to pay school loans and board but only on her aptitude to receive good grades and work part time on the side as her gas/leisure money. He has threatened to stop helping her if she does not keep these conditions in balance. Colin has graduated from college several years ago. He taught English overseas in Asian countries to minimize living expenses and debt but now must rely on his work as a freelance artist and commission from small companies to do animations to pay off his loans. He believes he will not be able to pay off these loans for most of his life but continues to work paycheck to paycheck in both current living and in paying debt. Carol has graduated from college almost half a decade ago. She is currently working in a small business - whiskey distillery in upstate New York but mainly uses the money from this occupation to pay off current living expenses. She is convinced that she will never be able to pay off her debt for as long as she lives after bouncing between jobs in graphic design and marketing in the city before moving up here. She has accumulated debt from both school and a car accident she was affected by a year ago.
1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career? A: 32, Education Administration
2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where? A: Currently attend graduate school at New Paltz
3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college? A: In state
4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education? A: I originally owed approximately $19,000
5) Q: How much did you or do you pay for an out of state OR private college education? A: N/A
6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving? A: a SUNY school and I believe it was worth the costs
7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt? A: Allows me to live comfortably paying back my student loan debt. Don’t have any other debt
8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt? A: Would have had access to the jobs that I had, which required degrees. As a result, wouldn’t have had as much earnings.
9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college? A: Somewhat, not really
10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt? A: I don’t see any negative effects. It’s manageable.
11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society? A: No, it’s a personal choice how much debt a student is willing to take on. Most people have some college debt, or another form of debt, so it doesn’t stand out at worse I think.
12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans? A: Another 7 years
13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans? A: 10 years
14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how. A: Yes, as long as I keep paying it off, it will eventually be paid off completely.
15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt? A: Accumulated approx. $19,000 for undergrad, $0 for grad school
16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in? A: Owe approx. $12,000
17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for? A: 7 years
18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans? A: $130
19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans? A: 3%
20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college? A: Not sure
21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college? A: Not sure
22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living? A: Well, a good education is required to do many of the jobs that exist today. So, some level of education is necessary. The better question is why is it so expensive to obtain a college education.
23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK? A: More government assistance would be helpful, but given our current economic climate, it is highly unlikely that this would happen.
24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance? A: I would say as long as the person can do the job, they should be given a chance (degree or no degree).
25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees? A: Most of the loans from the federal government do not have hidden fees. I think they are pretty clear about most of their fees except the upfront fee they deduct from the loan. I don’t think many students know about that fee until they get their loans. I would consider this type of aid assistance, though it’s not the best, but it is better than a private loan.
26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)? A: Yes, I would say so. In addition to being trying to be financially responsible.
27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt) A: Yes
28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job? A: I do work in a job that requires a degree and I pay a decent amount annually.
29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans? A: No
30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy? A: Yes
31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this? A: No, never been bankrupt
32) Q: How does this make you feel? A: N/A
33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education? A: I do feel schools are charging a lot, especially private schools.
34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors? A: My understanding is that construction comes from a separate fund, not from students’ tuition
35) Q: How do you feel about this? A: Though it is a lot of money to fix the building and construct new facilities, to some degree it is necessary so that students have access to well-functioning, up-to-date facilities
36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year? A: Yes
37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be? A: Yes and Yes
38) Q: Do you think the educational system in Amercia is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)? A: I do think we have quality education. Many students from other countries pay high amounts to attend our schools. Of course, there’s always room for improvement.
39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt? A: Not at the present, but my mother did help during the beginning.
40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s? A: My name
41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective? A: I have not considered this.
42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not. A: No, it does not.
43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans? A: No
44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why. A: Yes, because I felt that my college education was a worth investment. It increased your earnings potential.
45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan. A: Aid offices provide an abundance of information. It’s also up to the students and families to read and research what they are getting into to make sure the understand all the ramifications of education loans
46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans A:
47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt? A:
48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt. A: I know at least 2 people struggling with debt due to their jobs not paying high salaries.
Interview 2, Part 5 (Person wanted to remain anonymous)
Additional Note: I personally feel there are many options when it comes to higher education. There are community colleges, public schools and then private schools. A student needs to figure out what will work best for them and what is affordable. Many students are only looking at the name of the school and are willingly taking on large amounts of debt for that name. They are ignoring the fact that once they graduate they will have to repay their loans. That is the agreement they made, so they are obligate to stick to it. Instead, students are taking money and then saying you shouldn’t have lent it. I acknowledge that it may be difficult for many people to repay their loans, especially in these current economic times. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that students chose to take on the debt. Maybe if less students attended private schools and profits started declining, it would force them to reconsider prices.
1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career?
A: Matthew Johnson, 46, photography, 25 into career
2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where?
A: not currently
3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college?
A: n/a
4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education?
A: no state college
5) Q: How much did you or do you pay for an out of state OR private college education?
A: I pain about 85K. Had loans for about 45K
6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving?
A: private college. RIT in Rochester, NY. Bachelor's degree. Cost of education was not worth the degree.
7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt?
A: no the degree has not help that much with debt.
8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt?
A: not able to tell. A different degree probably would have helped a lot.
9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college?
A: no. graduated, but degree is not related
10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt?
A: loan debt severely impacts my disposable income and what I can afford
11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society?
A: probably not
12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans?
A: it's been 23 years plus at least 10 more..33
13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans?
A: 23 years or more
14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how.
A: no
15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt?
A: not a student
16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in?
A: plenty... approx 59K
17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for?
A: 10 to 17 more years
18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans?
A: $520.00 for this coming year
19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans?
A: 13% of gross
20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college?
21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college?
A: depend on how much I am able to pay each month...4K a year approx
22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living?
I don't think society does, it just increases your chances.
23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK?
A: yes, sort of. they should help more.
24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance?
A: no... but don't think they only higher people with a college education.
25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees?
A: yes...but there should be much less interest
26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)?
A: no
27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt)
A: yes
28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job?
A: Not sure if it is specifically required, it is a education career experience combination. can't pay off large portion.
29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans?
somewhat struggle
30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy?
A: yes
31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this?
A: yes
32) Q: How does this make you feel?
A: crappy...especially since my degree has nothing to do with my work and court would not dismiss
33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education?
A: yes
34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors?
A: to make their campuses more attractive to constantly compete and attract more students, plus bureaucracy and politics
36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year?
A: yes
37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be?
A: more expensive, not sure if it is more important
38) Q: Do you think the educational system in Amercia is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)?
A: no...
39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt?
A: no
40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s?
A: my name
41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective?
A: already did it. it was no help and do not not believe ANYONE's debt would become exempt
42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not.
A: yes. makes it hard to pay my other bills or have a nicer life
43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans?
A: sort of.. misconception is that you feel you will get a good job in the field you study for.
44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why.
A: probably...because there is no other way to pay for school
45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan.
A: n/a
46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans
A: n/a
47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt?
A: worse two situations is 1) that debt servicing people keep collecting full interest on the loans when one can't pay. then this interest accrued keeps getting added back onto the loan, making it even more um-affordable. It keeps making the affordability worse. 2) agencies and the government to not account AT ALL for how much other debt one has or if a parent has children they are trying to help. Government only looks at what one's income is and NO OTHER factors.
other situation is that the loans take so much of my income. percentage is too large.
48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt.
A: know one other who has a huge bill and has to live with a roomate as an adult in order to be able to pay.
1. How do you pay for your tuition? 2. How do you plan to play for the remainder of your tuition? 3. Tell me your thoughts on college tuition and student debt. 4. What do you think about the tuition at SUNY New Paltz specifically? 5. How did tuition factor into your decision to attend SUNY New Paltz? 6. How do you acquire spending money? 7. What do your expenses include? 8. Does the thought of student debt or the cost of tuition effect how much you spend on food? Partying? Necessities? Luxuries? 9. How do you budget your money? 10. Is graduate school in your plans for the future? Is money a factor? 11. Do you work/plan to work? 12. How does working as a student effect the college experience and productivity? 13. How does the cost of tuition effect your college decisions? (study abroad, graduate school, housing, etc)
Sierra Levy Sophomore Organizational Communications In State
1. Now money given by my grandfather approximately 20 grand 2. Financial aid since my father is paying for it but I think in the future we will be using loans 3. I personally think college tuition is way too high. While it’s going up I think it’s unnecessary. I have friends who are paying 54 thousand a year for a diploma that you can get at a school for 5 thousand. Student debt, that’s your own choice. If you’re going to an expensive school you’re going to be in debt and that’s your choice. Paying 40 thousand for 4 years you’re going to be 160 thousand in debt. You’re going to be paying it off until you’re in your 40’s. I know a guy who’s 39 and he’s gastroenterologist and he’s still paying off med school. You can make a living for yourself and pay it off but some people will take so long to pay it off. I don’t think the school really matters, I think its how you do with your grades. I’m going to put myself in debt and that’s my own fault but I didn’t want stay in the city. 4. I don’t think it’s that bad. It has gone up a little bit from 2 years ago when I was looking at the school but it’s not as bad as other schools. 5. It didn’t. I would’ve gone to any SUNY school but I chose New Paltz because it was closest to the city. I would’ve gone to UMass Amherst but that was 30 thousand a year. My dad told me not to worry about money 6. My parents give me a certain amount a year. 9. I don’t. I try I’ve been better living off campus now. 7. Cable, food, electricity, and spending money…food and alcohol. 8. No. A little bit. Yes but I dib into my rent money for it, I find the cheapest things. Clothes I get over the summer, or I borrow 10. Maybe, I will be doing it in the city because it’s cheaper. SUNY Baruch. 11. I work over the summer. 12. Study abroad costs the same as SUNY tuition but now that I live off campus I don’t know.
Jessalyn Rabito Sophomore International Relations Out of state (Pennsylvania)
1. 529 plan - since born, dad on payment plan, pay as you go. Ex paid for credits an costed what it did that year. Accumulate credits 3. Huge investment . Need I be smart when choosing a major. Should be funded by government like other countries but there's nothin you can do about it 4. I pay 8 or 9 thousand more than in state but its still
about the same as I would pay for a school in Pennsylvania 5. Big. At this point I don't have to take out any loans. I would have needed to at another school 6. Work study $500 a semester at New Paltz Youth group, 5hrs/ wk. parents send me money for things like food because I live off campus but at home I work a lot, I'm working about 20 hrs just over thanksgiving break 7. Rent, cable, groceries, fun/ going out. I try to avoid spending too much on food 8. I know my parents are already paying a lot for me to attend school so I don't want to overspend. But my parents help me out 9. When I go out I set aside some money to bring or don't bring money at all. I buy groceries that are in sale and make a list of what I need 10. More than likely. I'm going to make the wisest decision when it comes to money but the name of the grad school you go to means a lot more. I'd rather spend money on something that's worth it 12. No because I don't work much, about 5 years on a Saturday that I could just be laying at home 13. Overall balance between what's financially better and what's better for me personally and academically. It does have a big impact but I'm willing to spend more money for a better future
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ReplyDeleteHi Katherine. Thanks for posting early! I'm going to ask that you add a little more to this.
ReplyDelete1) who are these people
2) why do they make good sources
3) who else do you plan to talk to
Two student sources
ReplyDeleteNoah Shoer:
I use Facebook the most out of any social network.
It negatively affects my work because I end up checking the website constantly while I am completing my homework and it interrupts my thought process completely.
I think that being connected on the internet can really allow you to express your unfiltered opinion and it also allows you to become informed about various current events and situations that you never would have known about otherwise. These are very positive outcomes of the internet.
I don’t usually like to bring my laptop to class for this very reason, but on occasion I do bring it and go on Facebook while I am in class.
Yes it has helped me stay connected with high school friends in ways that a phone could never do.
If I say I am not obsessed with facebook, am I in denial?! Well, I don’t think I am obsessed compared to other people but I do check it multiple times a day. But to me, being obsessed with Facebook means seeing everything in life in terms of a Facebook post. If you see something or have an interaction in your day that you immediately think you must talk about on Facebook, you are obsessed with the website.
Facebook has made me depressed in terms of past relationships. It is hard to be constantly connected to people if you are trying to distance yourself from them. Seeing how they move on and interact with other people can make you very depressed. Also, seeing how devoted some people are to the website makes me very depressed because I don’t like to think that the main thing they care about is Facebook.
I think Facebook can damage real life interactions if you are constantly connected to the website. Seeing people sitting next to each other but on their phones checking Facebook is damaging to the real life friendship. Also, the website can cause rifts in relationships because pictures and posts can be misconstrued.
Meghan Levine:
1) I use Facebook and Tumblr the same amount of time during the day.
2) Personally it doesn't have any negative impact on my work.
3) Facebook has definitely kept me connected to what is going on in my old friend's lives since we have all parted ways. In addition Tumblr has been positive because of the content on the site. It exposes me to a lot of current artists works, and has given me inspiration for my work on numerous occasions.
4) Rarely ever, being an art major majority of my class time is spent working. If I ever use it during class it is for research.
5) Yes, it's much easier to stay involved with each other because we are able to see what we are all up to through pictures/ conversation.
6) Not at all.
7) I can definitely say it has brought me down on a few occasions. It is easy to get discouraged by the ways others are portraying there lives. If you feel distant from someone and they are posting pictures of themselves out having fun it's upsetting no doubt.
Facebook could definitely damage real life interactions. Like any technology it creates a third wall for us. It's so much easier to talk to someone through a screen opposed to having a face to face interaction with them. The added anonymity of social network cripples us in reality. Once we have to go face this person in everyday life we can't, we don't have that protection, and the interaction fails. Facebook is just as negative as it is positive.
2) These people make good sources because they grew up surrounded by social media and still are. At college, you are on your own and have to find a balance between work and social media. They go through this first hand and have a good insight on how people utilize social media.
3) I plan to talk to students who are more affected by social media. I think it would be interesting to show more of a contrast between people who have figured out how to balance and those who have just become obsessed with social media. I would also like to talk to older subject who may use social media for different reasons.
Sam
ReplyDeleteHow has social media affected your relationships with significant others, friends, and family?
family and friends: makes it easy to keep In touch with people without having to talk every day, bad because you have to worry about what you have to hide from family (party pics)
s.o.: makes things complicated when people comment on relationship changes
people know more about your life than you want them to
How is it a positive influence on those relationships?
nice when extended family joins, can send them random things, more connection with extended family. Sending things on facebook shows that you’re thinking of someone
How is it a negative influence on those relationships?
causes people to find out too much because of what other people put up. People become too involved in your life.
In what ways does social media influence the way you act around the people in your life?
in the back of your mind you think are pictures are going to end up on facebook or worry that someone wil quote you on twitter
How often do you use social media to connect with people?
pretty much every day
Melissa
How has social media affected your relationships with significant others, friends, and family?
It lets me talk to a bunch of people at once, I always have at least 5 chats open on facebook when I’m on to talk to people from home. I get invites to parties and stuff on facebook, even my mom messages me about thanksgiving or whatever is going on so she can talk to me and my brother at once. I use tumblr to vent about my boyfriend a lot, and hope that he sees it.
How is it a positive influence on those relationships?
It lets my whole family talk to each other at once instead of just at holidays like we used to. And it lets me keep in contact with all my friends from home.
How is it a negative influence on those relationships?
my boyfriend gets mad when I post statuses aimed at him. It probably makes all our fights a lot worse cause everyone else gives their opinion on our relationship and makes things more complicated.
In what ways does social media influence the way you act around the people in your life?
I never let people take pictures of me if I look bad because I know that they’ll end up on instagram or facebook. I also know if someone’s mad at me cause they post about it on tumblr so I’ll try to get them to say something to my face when we hang out.
How often do you use social media to connect with people?
all the time. Especially if I’m having a party or something , then I can just invite everyone at once.
How much time do you spend on social media sites per day on average?
ReplyDeleteJenn- 1-2 hours a day
Sorana- 30 minutes a day. Today ive actually done nothing im skipping a class right now.
Annie- 2 hours a day
Rachel- 45 minutes to an hour a day
Do you think it has affected your school work?
Jenn- Yeah because it’s a procrastination tool
Sorana- Yesh
Annie- Yes. I haven’t done anything all day because I’ve been on Facebook.
Rachel- No, because it’s not that big of a distraction for me because I hate social media. I would do a lot more if I had an i phone.
Do you think social media is on the decline or incline?
Annie : I used to want so many friends on facebook and yesterday I actually deleted 200 friends, I don’t care as much anymore.
Rachel- As a whole its on the incline, but facebook is on the decline. It always changes like Myspace used to be awesome and now its gone.
Sorana- Overall its rising, but I don’t care about it as much as I used to.
Jenn- I think it is increasing. More people are getting into it with smart phones and stuff.
Has social media ever made you feel sad or depressed?
Jenn- Yeah, seeing something sad on facebook makes me feel that way
Sorana- Yeah. Seeing what other people are doing if im in a shitty mood makes me depressed.
Annie- Yeah
Rachel- Yes. Somebody hacked my Facebook and put vicious slander up. I went on and my status was “Karma. I’m a whore”
Has social media changed your relationships with anyone?
Jenn- yeah people post things that cause fights and drama if you are opinionated with your thoughts on social media.
Sorana- not really I keep it real
Annie- I actually did creepily message Ryan on Facebook and messaged him and that’s how I met the summer set and became friends with them, so it could be a positive thing.
Rachel- My ex boyfriend hacked my account and read all my messages to my best friend from home. It caused a lot of drama and has changed things.
Does social media affect the way you act around people/in life?
Jenn- If you are afraid you may not say or do something that you think people might post a picture of later BE CAREFUL!!!
Sorana- I take facebook as a joke, its not my real life. If you want to see that as my real life then go ahead but me and my friends know whats real.
Annie- Yes because I don’t want things like pictures of me in a sorority to show up on facebook for everybody to see. You can’t make people take things down.
Rachel- You wouldn’t wear something that you wouldn’t want to be on Facebook forever. I sometimes choose to not wear as revealing clothing because I don’t want that on social media.
1. How many times a week do you typically drink?
ReplyDelete2. What is your main reason for drinking?
3. What is your drink of choice?
4. What positive things in your life have come from alcohol consumption?
5. What negative things have come from alcohol consumption?
Interviewee 1
1. Around three nights a week
2. to socialize with friends and take the edge off due to all the stress caused by the week.
3. I usually go for vodka and Sprite
4. In the long term none i guess but the environment associated is one in which it is easy to make new friends.
5. I will often not remember a night and black out. Sometimes I have said rude things to friends or have done embarrassing things and have felt like I have not been able to live them down (*example)and the next day I will just feel terrible physically and mentally.
Interviewee 2
1. Roughly three nights a week.
2. I go out and drink to have fun and let loose.
3. I like Redbull and vodka.
4. I have a fun time with my friends and the memories and pictures will last a lifetime.
5. I spend all my money and drinking has seriously impeded my health.
SUNY New Paltz Budget Cuts
ReplyDelete1.Do you think you are educated and informed about what is happening with the college’s budget?
-I think students are not as aware as they should be. They should know that they have a voice and can send emails and letters and make themselves heard. They can let the people in charge know about their dissatisfactions. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it!”
2.Do you notice the budget cuts hindering your experience as a student?
-Yes, there are not enough staff members as the college requires and the construction is taking too long cause they’re running out of money.
3.How are the budget cuts affecting you?
-I can’t get into any of my classes. When I tell them that all the classes I want to take are full my advisors tell me that I should to take classes that would make me a ‘more well rounded person’ in the meantime. Basically what this means is that they want me to pay to stay here and waste my time in classes that I have no interest in and will not get me any closer to graduating.
4.What do you think should be done about the fact that the college is limiting funding to many departments?
-I know no one wants to hear this but if the college needs to raise tuition in order to be able to hire and pay more professors so students can get into the classes they need, then that may be the case. “It really isn’t fair that the economy sucks and the school feels it needs to make cuts but we still need the same classes as other years, and we should be able to graduate on time.”
For my second interview I emailed a woman from the college's finance department; I am currently waiting for her response.
1-How many different social networking sites do you have an account with? What are they?
ReplyDeletea. 4, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
2- How often do you visit these sites?
a. Hourly
3- Do you use a laptop, desktop, tablet, iPhone, any other device, or all of the above?
a. Laptop and cellphone
4- How does your social networking affect your day to day interactions?
a. It adds to my interactions with people, because I don’t need to be around them to have a conversation.
b. Takes away from my social interactions because I stay inside for hours at a time on Tumblr not talking to people.
5- How does your social networking affect your school work?
a. When I’m in the library it’s hard to study, because I constantly check my Facebook, and twitter.
b. The good part about social networking is that I’m able to communicate with other classmates.
c. I think there are often many miscommunications through social networking.
6- Do you feel there are more positive or negative outcomes from social networking? Why?
a. I think there are more negative effects, because it takes away from time that I could be spending on school work and real life socialization. Also I would be able to go outside more, and exercise while outdoors.
1- How many different social networking sites do you have an account with?
a. 6, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Ichat, Skype
2- How often do you visit these sites?
a. Multiple times an hour, and about a half an hour for each visit.
3- Do you use a laptop, desktop, tablet, iPhone, any other device, or all of the above?
a. iPhone, laptop
4- How does your social networking affect your day to day interactions?
a. I talk to people more online than I do in person, and I don’t see the sun or exercise as much as I should.
b. I think it’s easier to talk to people online, because you can think about what you want to say.
5- How does your social networking affect your school work?
a. It provides an outlet for procrastination, because it’s so easily distracting.
b. It’s a lot easier to find information, and you can find other peoples work online.
c. You can share work and ideas with others in your class more easily.
6- Do you feel there are more positive or negative outcomes from social networking? Why?
a. I think for school work the outcomes are more negative, and for social interaction it brings both negative and positive outcomes.
b. If you are in a long distance relationship you can communicate with them using texts, phone calls and video chats.
Natalie K, 27
ReplyDeleteZ: How long ago did you graduate?
N: I graduated from Binghamton in 2007 with a degree in Environmental Studies. I couldn't find a job in my field, so I went back to school for teaching and graduated with a degree in that in 2009. Since then, I've only found positions in child care and now I work front-desk at Mohonk Mountain House.
Z: And how much did all that cost?
N: I got a lot of scholarships out of high school, but I still graduated with 20k in debt. After grad school, I added like 12k on top of that. So I'm over 30k. I make so little money, I work only to pay back my loans. I had to move back in with my parents.
Z: It sounds like you're upset about all this.
N: Of course I am. We were raised being told that if we got a college education we could get a good job. Now all that's gone. There's no guarantee. People say it's merit based, but I can't even get my foot in the door. Teaching jobs are being cut, and it's not looking good.
Z: The average student graduates college with 26k in debt. How does it make you feel to know that your story is just one of many?
N: It's sad. I'm not too good at math, but that's a lot of money.
Z: Thanks.
Derek C, 26
Z: How long ago did you graduate?
D: I actually have not graduated yet. I'm 9 credits shy.
Z: How long have you been in school?
D: Since 2004. I dropped out in 2008, but went back next fall.
Z: And you took out loans to finance school?
D: I did. For two years I went to community college and that was covered by grants but loans paid for the rest.
Z: And how much do you owe?
D: At least 20k. I don't really know. I haven't paid it in months.
Z: You haven't paid it?
D: I was arrested in 2008, and because of that I can't find any kind of job. I can't pay with what I don't have.
Z: Are you working to complete your degree?
D: I am. I should graduate in May. I saved up to pay for it.
Interview 1: Rachel
ReplyDeleteQ: Can you define binge drinking in your own words?
A: I think binge drinking is drinking more than four drinks at one time aiming to get drunk, not just drinking for social fun, just like having a glass of wine, but drinking to get belligerent-ish.
Q: With that would you consider yourself a binge drinker?
A: Yeah, because I drink like normally three times a week, planning to get drunk. That’s my purpose.
Q: Why is that your purpose?
A: Because I’m a college student and I think that like 98.9% of us have a purpose to be drunk as often as possible, because we can!...there’s no supervision.
Q: Do you think binge drinking has become a normal part of the college experience?
A: Yes. I think you’re expected to drink in college because this is the only time we can. Before this we were too young, and after this we have responsibilities, so this is our four year period when it is socially accepted to binge drink.
Q: Are you aware that alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group?
A: No, but I’m not worried. I think that I know my limits, and I don’t think that after college I’m going to continue drinking. So from 18-21 or whenever I graduate; during that period I think I’ll still be smart enough to not overdose on alcohol.
Q: In your mind, what is the line between drinking and binge drinking?
A: I think drinking is just social drinking, like a beer or two with your friends and to relax, whereas binge drinking is like “alright chug this! Let’s get intoxicated”
Q: Well don’t you consider going to parties a social event? So by your definition would you consider drinking and binge drinking the same thing?
A: Well if you’re doing it socially, it’s more of a relaxed environment and nothing is expected. But if you’re going out and drinking you’re expected to drink so much so that you’re loosened up, like ready to dance and have a lot of fun with people. And if you’re just planning to sit down and have a beer with people it’s not the same environment.
Interview 2: Jon
Q: Can you define binge drinking in your own words?
A: I would say binge drinking is drinking more than about 6 beers or drinks in general at night.
Q: By that definition, would you consider yourself a binge drinker?
A: Yeah, when I drink I definitely drink more than 5 or 6 drinks at a time.
Q: Do you as a college student think that binge drinking has become a part of the college experience?
A: Absolutely, it’s something to do.
Q: Why do you do it?
A: Because that’s what there is to do. You just go out and drink and have a good night. And depending on how much you drink, sometimes you remember it and sometimes you don’t.
Q: Did you drink as much as you do now as when you were in high school?
A: No, definitely not.
Q: What changed?
A: Just the amount that I drink and the availability.
Q: Do you think it is the environment you are in?
A: Yeah, it definitely depends on the availability.
Q: In your mind, what is the line between drinking and binge drinking?
A: Honestly to me I think binge drinking and drinking are the same thing. If you’re going to drink, you’re not just drinking to get nice. If you have enough money, which is like eight dollars to get like 8 beers, then you’re going to get pretty intoxicated. And if you are able to do that, then you’re going to do that whenever you want to.
Q: Have your drinking habits had any serious consequences?
A: Not really at all, not in college.
Q: Are you aware that alcohol is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group?
A: I had a general idea of that, but I’ve never experienced alcohol poisoning myself. But I’ve definitely drank myself into oblivion some nights. I guess I just have a high tolerance.
Q: Do you take that statistic into account when you drink?
A: Yes, but I’ll still drink if it’s available.
Q: What is available to you?
A: Whatever I can get my hands on. If it’s a bottle of liquor that night then so-be-it, if its beer, then I’ll be drinking that. Sometimes I’ll mix the two together for a faster, harder effect.
1) Are all of your current or previous professors doing an effective job at this time/in the past?
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Fields, Junior:
No, plenty throughout school and one specific one this semester.
Faiqa Amreen, Junior:
Not last semester.
2) Describe classroom scene
Alyssa:
She would lecture. Everyone would pretend to listen, no one really would be. There was chaos and side conversation. She would make some comments that could be determined as racist. I.e.: only calling on certain students because of their ethnicity and assuming they know that specific area.
Faiqa:
It was really boring. It felt like she talked down to us. None of the work we did was relevant to the exams. I was always thinking it was a waste of my time. I felt like it was wasting my tuition. I just didn’t wanna go to class.
3) What specifically bothers you about a current professor or a previous one?
Alyssa:
She wouldn’t explain things, we had to learn the course on our own. She never really taught us the material that would be on the quizzes. I spent the whole semester trying to teach myself the material. I found myself consumed for five hours certain nights.
Faiqa:
She took her job too seriously, specifically when the situation didn’t warrant for it. Then when I needed her to be a professor, she couldn’t be there for me. She acted more like a friend. It was as though she didn’t know when to be which.
4) Did this affect your overall grade?
Alyssa:
I did end up with a decent grade but I know I worked harder independently than should have been for a general education requirement.
Faiqa:
Yeah, definitely… I did poorly. I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. I feel like if she had taught better, I would have made a connection to what the material was. Her teaching could have ruined my interest in the subject also because going into it, I truly thought it was something I cared about.
5) Do you feel that these professors are not deserving of their positions?
Alyssa:
I tried to get her terminated actually. I reported her to the head of her department. I basically explained that she was very disorganized and would lose our assignments and that I felt this affected my grade. The dean explained that if I wanted to further pursuit this, I could go to the dean of the school.
Faiqa:
To a certain extent. Maybe her teaching style could have worked for other students. However, I seemed to have been getting a bad experience with that class. I won’t ever take classes in that department again.
6) What do you think can be attributed to their poor teaching?
Alyssa:
I think she was knowledgeable in the subject and she was good at what she taught… You could tell that she knew her material well. However, she could not explain it to us.
Faiqa:
I didn’t think she was organized. I could tell the final and midterm were thrown together last minute. I think she was more focused on her research to further her prestige and get published.
7) Have you seen patterns with poor teaching?
Alyssa:
I feel like there’s a specific personality—the type of professor that is unorganized and just does not pull it together to help run a classroom. However, there are also the type of professors who are older and have become lazier with their teaching habits. I don’t like the concept of tenure is a major cause of this. It triggers the lazy aspects both with the professor and the authority figures.
Faiqa:
They usually already have tenure. She did and I feel like they usually just give and no longer care. It bothers me because I’m not paying tuition for a tenure; I’m paying to learn. I feel like evaluation on the tenured professors should be revoked more easily and these professors should be evaluated more often. I hope to become a professor or teacher and while tenure seems like something that would ease my mind, I would still appreciate knowing I’m doing well with my job.
1. When did you get your first cell phone?
ReplyDeletePeiPei: Middle school
Kenasha: Elementary school
2. Do you remember how old you were? If you do, how old were you?
PeiPei: I don't remember how old, I just know it was middle school.
Kenasha: Ten years old
3. What do you use your cell phone for mostly?
PeiPei: Facebook, emails, messages, games, weather, reminders
Kenasha: Instagram, texting, and calling
4. Have you ever texted someone that was only a couple of minutes away cause you are too lazy to call them yourself?
PeiPei: Yes
Kenasha: No
5. Why do you do that?
PeiPei: Yes, takes away attention from what I am doing to do something else.
Kenasha: No, I rather yell. That's stupid to text someone that's close to you.
6. At night do you sleep with your phone on your desk or under your pillow?
PeiPei: Not by my pillow but next to me, There is an attachment I have with my phone. It needs to be with me. It's like a child.
Kenasha: I leave my phone on my desk. I do not use my cellphone as my alarm clock because I own an alarm clock
7. How often do you check your phone in a day?
PeiPei: I check my phone 15x in a day
Kenasha: I check my phone 50x a day
8. Answer in one word, In a world without cellphones__________?
PeiPei: The world is coming to an end
We're too technology driven, to take that familiarity away will be difficult
Kenasha: We would try and find and easier way to communicate without a cellphone or develop some
other variation.
9. Do you count your phone as a big distraction for school/work?
PeiPei: Everyone is used to having a cellphone so it is not
really a distraction cause we are used to it.
Kenasha: In general: No I don't know how to multitask, being in class and being on their phone.
Personally: No, I know how to multitask and I know when to be on the phone and when not to be on the phone.
10. What kind of cellphone do you own?
PeiPei: IPhone
Kenasha: Android
Interview 1, Part 1:
ReplyDeleteDanielle Shabin
1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career?
A: My name is Danielle Shabin and I am a 20 year old communication disorders major. I am a transfer junior and I hope to become a speech pathologist after furthering my education in grad school.
2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where?
A: I originally went to SUNY University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY and now I attend SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY.
3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college?
A: Both colleges are state schools.
4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education?
A: I currently pay $6,758 in tuition and fees (yearly) by way of loans and I pay for room and board as well as personal expenses by my own means/help from parents. In buffalo, I took out loans for tuition yearly by $7,989 – and $11,310 for room and board by loans also.
6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving?
A: I attended University at Buffalo (a science/research based university) and I think that the cost I paid was worth it for student activities and room/board but definitely not by way of the education or classes I took. It was subpar for what I was paying. SUNY New Paltz (small, liberal arts school) on the other hand, is pretty much what I deserve for paying tuition.
7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt?
A:Not graduated yet.
8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt?
A: I would probably have to go into a trade school, live at home and work on the side. I’d have no loans but I would be making far less than with a college education and most likely stuck for a lifetime with an unfulfilling job.
9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college?
A: Not graduated yet.
10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt?
A: My life is currently affected by student loan debt because I work all summer and end up scrounging what I have to pay for living expenses throughout the year. I have to make sacrifices based on logic when it comes to money so this limits leisure. In the future, I will probably spend the first ten years of my working life slowly repaying my loans. I have accepted this, and I will hopefully be debt free by age 35.
Interview 1, Part 2:
ReplyDelete11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society?
A: I think it is more of a passage to an adulthood than an ostracism. At this point, everyone has student loans to pay and it is the sacrifice we made to be part of the middle class.
12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans?
A: I will be in debt for the first decade of my working life and I hope everything will be paid off by the time I am 35 years old.
13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans?
A: Since I have started college. I am in debt for the last 2 and a half years of my life.
14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how.
A: The only way out of debt is to work very hard in my late 20’s and establishing my career. I plan to work overtime and take clients on the side for extra money as means out of this debt.
15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt?
A: I am not positive of how much debt I have accumulated but I know it is reaching the $30,000 range by this time as a junior.
16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in?
A: Not graduated yet.
17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for?
A: I can estimate I will be paying my loans back in a monthly manner (fanniemae) for about a decade.
18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans?
A: On average, I feel like I am a 1,000 dollars further in debt – every month that I am in college.
19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans?
A: I do not know how much of my income goes to paying back student loans but I know it is an extremely small percentage based on the limited annual income my parents are helping me with and the little bit less than 4,000 dollars I make in a summer of working.
20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college?
A: I know that interest is accumulating more and more with time and will increase again when I am in grad school but since I am actively paying it at the same time – it is likely less than most students.
Interview 1, Part 3
ReplyDelete21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college?
A: I do not know how much my interest individually increases after college.
22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living?
A: Absolutely not. I think this country is run on the working class sector and the skills they provide so we need to respect these people more and open up more trade schools to increase their numbers. College is socially acceptable but it is not for everyone.
23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK?
A: Absolutely. Education should be the first priority for the American government considering all our problems as a nation are a direct result of this socioeconomic based education system that keeps the lower classes poorer and more ignorant despite their high numbers.
24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance?
A: I think employers should only hire people based on educational accomplishments if it is necessary to the occupation in terms of knowledge and craft. Otherwise, employers should be more accepting of people who have been working in the same field and have extensive experiences in the job despite a lack of education. Experience outdoes college.
25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees?
A: I only think student loans are assistance from the government in the sense that we have extended time to pay off the loans as opposed to giving the money up front. Otherwise, the whole scenario seems like a major banking business deal.
26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)?
A: I have not graduated yet to answer this question.
27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt)
A: I am currently college education by associated degree and I hope to acquire a full undergraduate degree and masters. I have no other debts beside student loan to pay.
28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job?
A: No, I am currently not employed in a job.
29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans?
A:Yes. Since I am living on the basis of loans and saved money – I have to struggle deciding which weeks to buy gas and which weeks to buy groceries. I do everything I can not to spend more than fifty-eighty dollars a week.
30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy?
A: Yes, I heard this occurred in lieu of the recession within the last few years.
Interview 1, Part 4
ReplyDelete31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this?
A: I have never been bankrupt.
32) Q: How does this make you feel?
A: It makes me feel like I should live very cheaply to make sure I never go bankrupt.
33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education?
A: Yes. I feel this way mainly because the extent of the money we pay to go to school isn’t fully disclosed as to where it is being received. I think colleges run on far less money than we all collectively pay so somebody is making millions out of our expense.
34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors?
A: I think college campuses are spending our money on construction because most of these schools haven’t been updated since the 1960’s and so the facilities are not efficient based on how much we pay now. Also, I think colleges put grant money and donations first based on exactly what the benefactor wants – which is usually an appearance based endeavor. Superficial appearance is what attracts people to schools so education takes the back burner for when those new students have enrolled.
35) Q: How do you feel about this?
A: It makes me frustrated because I would rather have great professors and more personalized choices for classes than a new dining room or walkway.
Interview 1, Part 5
ReplyDelete36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year?
A:Absolutely. Things are only getting worse as the situation with education in our nation is continued to be ignored due to vast economic debt and issues overseas. Colleges are getting less and less help so we are paying out of our pocket to run them.
37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be?
A: I have not graduated yet but I know it is more expensive than it used to be.
38) Q: Do you think the educational system in America is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)?
A: I think that the educational system in America is only fair to an extent of the attempt to include different demographics but extremely outdated in creating solutions and the education itself.
39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt?
A: My parents offer a few thousand dollars a year to help me pay back my loans and keep interest low but other than that, I am on my own.
40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s?
A: The student loans are mostly under my name and some are under my fathers’ name.
Interview 1, Part 6
ReplyDelete41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective?
A: I am not considering this because I believe my situation is not nearly as dire as other students across America. I am fortunate in relation, and those kids need to write because I will likely receive no aid.
42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not.
A: The student loan debt has created anxiety in the sense that I feel pressure to find a good job after college and make sure I will be financially stable in my career. This is not common these days.
43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans?
A: I don’t feel that I was misinformed but I believe a lot of information is left out and hidden in the fine print to influence students so everyone needs to read up on their policies.
44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why.
A: Yes, because I have no other choice. I do not have anyone who can pay for me and other reliable options do not exist if I plan to do well in school. I will not degrade myself any other way to receive aid or money.
45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan.
A: I do not work in the financial aid office.
46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans
A: ^
47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt?
A: I am simply stressed over my future ability to pay off these debts and constantly considering my options in saving money or minimizing debt by living cheaply. This is a daily consideration but at least I have all the necessities I need to live healthy. My circumstance will always lead me to search for the cheapest housing, food options and transportation.
Interview 1, Part 7
ReplyDelete48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt.
A: Most people I know are struggling to survive due to student debt. Too many people to name from to top of my head but I can discuss unique situations of my housemates individually.
Sarah is paying for school by loans and room and board by working on the weekends. She bartends all through Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon at a country club to make several hundred dollars a week to get by. This makes it very difficult for her to finish all her schoolwork in time.
Danny is paying for school by loans and is receiving social security as unemployed due to past jobs he has had before coming to New Paltz. His parents do not help him pay for anything and he must rely wholly on unemployment checks and loans.
Brittany is being helped by her father to pay school loans and board but only on her aptitude to receive good grades and work part time on the side as her gas/leisure money. He has threatened to stop helping her if she does not keep these conditions in balance.
Colin has graduated from college several years ago. He taught English overseas in Asian countries to minimize living expenses and debt but now must rely on his work as a freelance artist and commission from small companies to do animations to pay off his loans. He believes he will not be able to pay off these loans for most of his life but continues to work paycheck to paycheck in both current living and in paying debt.
Carol has graduated from college almost half a decade ago. She is currently working in a small business - whiskey distillery in upstate New York but mainly uses the money from this occupation to pay off current living expenses. She is convinced that she will never be able to pay off her debt for as long as she lives after bouncing between jobs in graphic design and marketing in the city before moving up here. She has accumulated debt from both school and a car accident she was affected by a year ago.
Interview 2, Part 1
ReplyDelete1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career?
A: 32, Education Administration
2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where?
A: Currently attend graduate school at New Paltz
3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college?
A: In state
4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education?
A: I originally owed approximately $19,000
5) Q: How much did you or do you pay for an out of state OR private college education?
A: N/A
6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving?
A: a SUNY school and I believe it was worth the costs
7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt?
A: Allows me to live comfortably paying back my student loan debt. Don’t have any other debt
8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt?
A: Would have had access to the jobs that I had, which required degrees. As a result, wouldn’t have had as much earnings.
9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college?
A: Somewhat, not really
10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt?
A: I don’t see any negative effects. It’s manageable.
11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society?
A: No, it’s a personal choice how much debt a student is willing to take on. Most people have some college debt, or another form of debt, so it doesn’t stand out at worse I think.
12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans?
A: Another 7 years
13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans?
A: 10 years
14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how.
A: Yes, as long as I keep paying it off, it will eventually be paid off completely.
15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt?
A: Accumulated approx. $19,000 for undergrad, $0 for grad school
16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in?
A: Owe approx. $12,000
17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for?
A: 7 years
18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans?
A: $130
19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans?
A: 3%
20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college?
A: Not sure
Interview 2, Part 2
ReplyDelete21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college?
A: Not sure
22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living?
A: Well, a good education is required to do many of the jobs that exist today. So, some level of education is necessary. The better question is why is it so expensive to obtain a college education.
23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK?
A: More government assistance would be helpful, but given our current economic climate, it is highly unlikely that this would happen.
24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance?
A: I would say as long as the person can do the job, they should be given a chance (degree or no degree).
25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees?
A: Most of the loans from the federal government do not have hidden fees. I think they are pretty clear about most of their fees except the upfront fee they deduct from the loan. I don’t think many students know about that fee until they get their loans. I would consider this type of aid assistance, though it’s not the best, but it is better than a private loan.
Interview 2, Part 3
ReplyDelete26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)?
A: Yes, I would say so. In addition to being trying to be financially responsible.
27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt)
A: Yes
28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job?
A: I do work in a job that requires a degree and I pay a decent amount annually.
29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans?
A: No
Interview 2, Part 4
ReplyDelete30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy?
A: Yes
31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this?
A: No, never been bankrupt
32) Q: How does this make you feel?
A: N/A
33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education?
A: I do feel schools are charging a lot, especially private schools.
34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors?
A: My understanding is that construction comes from a separate fund, not from students’ tuition
35) Q: How do you feel about this?
A: Though it is a lot of money to fix the building and construct new facilities, to some degree it is necessary so that students have access to well-functioning, up-to-date facilities
36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year?
A: Yes
37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be?
A: Yes and Yes
38) Q: Do you think the educational system in Amercia is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)?
A: I do think we have quality education. Many students from other countries pay high amounts to attend our schools. Of course, there’s always room for improvement.
39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt?
A: Not at the present, but my mother did help during the beginning.
40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s?
A: My name
41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective?
A: I have not considered this.
42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not.
A: No, it does not.
43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans?
A: No
44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why.
A: Yes, because I felt that my college education was a worth investment. It increased your earnings potential.
45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan.
A: Aid offices provide an abundance of information. It’s also up to the students and families to read and research what they are getting into to make sure the understand all the ramifications of education loans
46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans
A:
47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt?
A:
48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt.
A: I know at least 2 people struggling with debt due to their jobs not paying high salaries.
Interview 2, Part 5 (Person wanted to remain anonymous)
ReplyDeleteAdditional Note: I personally feel there are many options when it comes to higher education. There are community colleges, public schools and then private schools. A student needs to figure out what will work best for them and what is affordable. Many students are only looking at the name of the school and are willingly taking on large amounts of debt for that name. They are ignoring the fact that once they graduate they will have to repay their loans. That is the agreement they made, so they are obligate to stick to it. Instead, students are taking money and then saying you shouldn’t have lent it. I acknowledge that it may be difficult for many people to repay their loans, especially in these current economic times. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that students chose to take on the debt. Maybe if less students attended private schools and profits started declining, it would force them to reconsider prices.
Interview 3, Part 1
ReplyDeleteMatt Johnson
Matt Johnson
1) Q: Your name, age, major (including year of college you are in) or career?
A: Matthew Johnson, 46, photography, 25 into career
2) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college, if so where?
A: not currently
3) Q: Did you or do you currently go to college out of state, in state, or at a private college?
A: n/a
4) Q: How much did or do you pay for a state college education?
A: no state college
5) Q: How much did you or do you pay for an out of state OR private college education?
A: I pain about 85K. Had loans for about 45K
6) Q: Please specify what kind of college you attended and address whether you think the cost of your education was worth the degree you received or are currently receiving?
A: private college. RIT in Rochester, NY. Bachelor's degree. Cost of education was not worth the degree.
7) Q: If graduated, does your degree allow you to live comfortably with little or no debt?
A: no the degree has not help that much with debt.
8) Q: How would you or do you picture your life being different without a college education and therefore NO student loan debt?
A: not able to tell. A different degree probably would have helped a lot.
9) Q: If you already graduated are you currently working a job that has something to do with your major in college?
A: no. graduated, but degree is not related
10) Q: How is your life currently OR how will your life be affected in the future by student loan debt?
A: loan debt severely impacts my disposable income and what I can afford
11) Q: Do you consider the debt people carry for most of their adult lives from student loans a form of ostracism in our society?
A: probably not
12) Q: How long do you estimate being in debt for due to student loans?
A: it's been 23 years plus at least 10 more..33
13) Q: How long have you been in debt for due to student loans?
A: 23 years or more
14) Q: Do you for see a way out of this debt? If so please explain how.
A: no
15) Q: If you are a student, how much debt have you currently accumulated and by what year of college did you accumulate this level of debt?
A: not a student
16) Q: If you are graduated how much debt are you currently in?
A: plenty... approx 59K
17) Q: How long do you know OR estimate you will be paying back your student loans for?
A: 10 to 17 more years
18) Q: On average how much a month do you pay back to your student loans?
A: $520.00 for this coming year
19) Q: Off the top of your head what percentage or fraction of your annual income goes to paying back your student loans?
A: 13% of gross
20) Q: How much interest accumulates on your student loans while in college?
A: not in college
Interview 3, Part 2
ReplyDelete21) Q: How much interest accumulates annually after college?
A: depend on how much I am able to pay each month...4K a year approx
22) Q: Do you think it’s just for our society to conclude college as being the only gateway to making a good living?
I don't think society does, it just increases your chances.
23) Q: Do you think our government should pay out of pocket to provide us with a quality education that is affordable alike the education system in Europe and the UK?
A: yes, sort of. they should help more.
24) Q: Do you think it’s reasonable for the government and other employers in our society to only hire people with a college education ALTHOUGH our society does not enable every individual to receive an education because they provide their citizens with barely any financial assistance and many times no financial assistance?
A: no... but don't think they only higher people with a college education.
25) Q: Do you consider student loans educational assistance from the government ALTHOUGH you have to pay them back in full PLUS hidden interest fees?
A: yes...but there should be much less interest
26) Q: Has your college education made you a good living where you don’t struggle month to month paying bills (including student loan debt)?
A: no
27) Q: Are you college educated? If not please specify whether you live comfortably in your career. Also please explain whether you currently have the burden of debt (not including student loan debt)
A: yes
28) Q: Are you currently working a job that requires a college degree AND are you able to pay off a large portion of your student loan debt annually with your annual income from the job?
A: Not sure if it is specifically required, it is a education career experience combination. can't pay off large portion.
29) Q: Do you struggle to pay for basic living necessities because you are in college OR are currently in debt from student loans?
somewhat struggle
30) Q: Did you know you can no longer be exempt from student loans by the government even if you file for bankruptcy?
A: yes
31) Q: Have you ever been bankrupt, has the amount of money you spend paying off student loan debt attributed to this?
A: yes
32) Q: How does this make you feel?
A: crappy...especially since my degree has nothing to do with my work and court would not dismiss
33) Q: Do you feel universities have assumed the role of a business franchise rather than educational institution because of the outrageous amounts of money we opt into spending when we get a college education?
A: yes
34) Q: Why do you think so many college campuses are spending student’s money on construction rather than on quality educators, # of course sections, new courses and new majors?
A: to make their campuses more attractive to constantly compete and attract more students, plus bureaucracy and politics
35) Q: How do you feel about this?
A: frustrated
Interview 3, Part 3
ReplyDelete36) Q: Do you feel college tuition is getting more expensive and less affordable to pay back AND out of pocket every year?
A: yes
37) Q: If graduated, is a college education more important AND expensive than it used to be?
A: more expensive, not sure if it is more important
38) Q: Do you think the educational system in Amercia is a fair system of high quality (regarding the cost and education itself)?
A: no...
39) Q: Do you have any assistance paying back your student loan debt?
A: no
40) Q: Are or were all the student loans under YOUR name OR someone else’s?
A: my name
41) Q: Currently if you write to congress about your circumstance and struggle paying off your student loan debt you have a chance of being exempt from your debt, have you done anything like this or are you considering it? If so was it effective?
A: already did it. it was no help and do not not believe ANYONE's debt would become exempt
42) Q: Does the student loan debt you have create anxiety and unrest within you? Please explain in detail why or why not.
A: yes. makes it hard to pay my other bills or have a nicer life
43) Q: Do you feel you were misinformed by the financial aid office when applying for student loans?
A: sort of.. misconception is that you feel you will get a good job in the field you study for.
44) Q: If you were well informed of the burden of student loan debt, hidden fees and interest would you still take out a student loan? If so please explain why.
A: probably...because there is no other way to pay for school
45) Q: If you work in the financial aid office are you obligated to tell students every detail and ramification of their student loan? If NO please explain what you must censor when students are applying for a student loan.
A: n/a
46) Q: If you work in the financial aid office please share something unknown and controversial about the student loans
A: n/a
47) Q: What kind of difficult situations and circumstances have you seen or are you currently experiencing from student loan debt?
A: worse two situations is 1) that debt servicing people keep collecting full interest on the loans when one can't pay. then this interest accrued keeps getting added back onto the loan, making it even more um-affordable. It keeps making the affordability worse. 2) agencies and the government to not account AT ALL for how much other debt one has or if a parent has children they are trying to help. Government only looks at what one's income is and NO OTHER factors.
other situation is that the loans take so much of my income. percentage is too large.
48) Q: Do you know anyone else who is struggling to survive due to student loan debt? If so please explain their situation and how many people off the top of your head you know who are struggling with this kind of debt.
A: know one other who has a huge bill and has to live with a roomate as an adult in order to be able to pay.
1. How do you pay for your tuition?
ReplyDelete2. How do you plan to play for the remainder of your tuition?
3. Tell me your thoughts on college tuition and student debt.
4. What do you think about the tuition at SUNY New Paltz specifically?
5. How did tuition factor into your decision to attend SUNY New Paltz?
6. How do you acquire spending money?
7. What do your expenses include?
8. Does the thought of student debt or the cost of tuition effect how much you spend on food? Partying? Necessities? Luxuries?
9. How do you budget your money?
10. Is graduate school in your plans for the future? Is money a factor?
11. Do you work/plan to work?
12. How does working as a student effect the college experience and productivity?
13. How does the cost of tuition effect your college decisions? (study abroad, graduate school, housing, etc)
Sierra Levy
Sophomore
Organizational Communications
In State
1. Now money given by my grandfather approximately 20 grand
2. Financial aid since my father is paying for it but I think in the future we will be using loans
3. I personally think college tuition is way too high. While it’s going up I think it’s unnecessary. I have friends who are paying 54 thousand a year for a diploma that you can get at a school for 5 thousand. Student debt, that’s your own choice. If you’re going to an expensive school you’re going to be in debt and that’s your choice. Paying 40 thousand for 4 years you’re going to be 160 thousand in debt. You’re going to be paying it off until you’re in your 40’s. I know a guy who’s 39 and he’s gastroenterologist and he’s still paying off med school. You can make a living for yourself and pay it off but some people will take so long to pay it off. I don’t think the school really matters, I think its how you do with your grades. I’m going to put myself in debt and that’s my own fault but I didn’t want stay in the city.
4. I don’t think it’s that bad. It has gone up a little bit from 2 years ago when I was looking at the school but it’s not as bad as other schools.
5. It didn’t. I would’ve gone to any SUNY school but I chose New Paltz because it was closest to the city. I would’ve gone to UMass Amherst but that was 30 thousand a year. My dad told me not to worry about money
6. My parents give me a certain amount a year.
9. I don’t. I try I’ve been better living off campus now.
7. Cable, food, electricity, and spending money…food and alcohol.
8. No. A little bit. Yes but I dib into my rent money for it, I find the cheapest things. Clothes I get over the summer, or I borrow
10. Maybe, I will be doing it in the city because it’s cheaper. SUNY Baruch.
11. I work over the summer.
12. Study abroad costs the same as SUNY tuition but now that I live off campus I don’t know.
Jessalyn Rabito
Sophomore
International Relations
Out of state (Pennsylvania)
1. 529 plan - since born, dad on payment plan, pay as you go. Ex paid for credits an costed what it did that year. Accumulate credits
3. Huge investment . Need I be smart when choosing a major. Should be funded by government like other countries but there's nothin you can do about it
4. I pay 8 or 9 thousand more than in state but its still
Part 2
ReplyDeleteabout the same as I would pay for a school in Pennsylvania
5. Big. At this point I don't have to take out any loans. I would have needed to at another school
6. Work study $500 a semester at New Paltz Youth group, 5hrs/ wk. parents send me money for things like food because I live off campus but at home I work a lot, I'm working about 20 hrs just over thanksgiving break
7. Rent, cable, groceries, fun/ going out. I try to avoid spending too much on food
8. I know my parents are already paying a lot for me to attend school so I don't want to overspend. But my parents help me out
9. When I go out I set aside some money to bring or don't bring money at all. I buy groceries that are in sale and make a list of what I need
10. More than likely. I'm going to make the wisest decision when it comes to money but the name of the grad school you go to means a lot more. I'd rather spend money on something that's worth it
12. No because I don't work much, about 5 years on a Saturday that I could just be laying at home
13. Overall balance between what's financially better and what's better for me personally and academically. It does have a big impact but I'm willing to spend more money for a better future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjweVrAPgig&feature=plcp
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