Swine Flu: Are You Worred?

Name: Peggy Kelly
Hometown: Santa Clara, CA
Are you worried about getting the Swine Flu? "Well, the Swine Flu hasn't really affected any of my friends or family but it does worry me because it's out there and that a lot of people are being affected by it and that schools are shutting down because of it. So yeah, I would say I'm worried about it."
What do you think are the symptoms of Swine Flu? "I heard they are much like the regular flu, except a little bit more severe."
Have you taken any precautions against Swine Flu? "I took the flu shot."

- Samantha

Swine Flu: Are You Worried?

Name: Sarah Mirto

Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Are you worried about getting the Swine Flu?
"I'm not that worried because I haven't heard of too many people having it. I think it's mostly just people getting the flu and then Cowell getting kind of scared because they want to be cautious but I don't think it's that big of a worry."
Have you taken any precautions against Swine Flu?
"I was supposed to go get the flu shot but I don't even know if that helps. And if anyone was told to be quarantined, [I would] obviously just stay away from them."

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Volleyball Game

On Saturday, October 17, I attended the Santa Clara Volleyball Game against Gonzaga. Sadly, Santa Clara lost the match after their lead in the beginning. Santa Clara won the first two sets, but lost the next two, causing them to go into a tie breaker set. Santa Clara lost the tie breaker, giving the match to Gonzaga. Although I took pictures at many volleyball games in high school, this was my first time taking volleyball pictures at Santa Clara, and I must admit it was pretty successful. The game speed was faster than high school games, in terms of ball speed, which I feel helped me get better photos. I could feel the adrenaline from the players while I was sitting on the sidelines, which helped me keep up with their speed. Here are three of my favorite photos from the day.

Samantha

One of the Lucky Ones

As of right now I am one of the lucky few students who seems to be out of debt. My parents have been paying for my college tuition thus far, although with the recent stock market plunge, I am not sure what the future will hold. I am planning on continuing to apply for scholarships and hope that the economy can right itself before I am out there looking for a job.

If I do end up acquiring some debt before I finish my schooling, I would not at all be surprised. My parents have been saving money since I was born, and I am receiving a small portion of academic scholarship from the school, but Santa Clara still costs $45,000 a year. I am trying to work a little bit when I can in order to pay for my own basic things outside of school, like laundry, food, social activities. I don't have a car at school and probably won't bring one down next year either to save money on gas and insurance.

Also If i end up getting debt, I would probably be screwed, because I have no idea what I want to do, but as of now I'm very involved in journalism and there is no money there. I was really good at math and science in high school, I might have made a mistake!

Here's an article from USA Today about college students in debt.

*'Students suffocate under tens of thousands in loans'

Buried in Debt

Debt is awful, but I feel like everyone in college has it. Honestly though right now as a junior in college I'm not too worried about it. Most of my personal debt worries are about my credit card. it's far to easy to slide the card when I have to cash to back it up.

I'm operating under the assumption that my parents will handle my college debt which I think they will. My dad didn't go to college and my mom's parents paid for hers so they don't want me to graduate college with the burden of debt on my shoulders. I have taken out students loans at a low interest so those will have to be paid back eventually, but in this economy right now it's going to be hard to set away money to pay for loans. I guess I'm pretty lucky that my parents have offered to pay for it all because I know a few people who just graduated from Santa Clara and are buried in debt.

I think the government should help us pay for college and more than in the form of scholarships and grants. In a perfect world everyone who gets into college would get a check to help them pay for the cost of tuiton, books, housing, and all the other expenses that are part of the college experience. One of my housemates was raised in Sweden and the government there helps all their students pay for college expenses. For instance my housemates uses that money to pay for her rent. Granted, Sweden is much smaller than the U.S., but I think it could work here. I guess it's a little hopeless in this economy right?

kaitlin novell

Profile not in debt

Janna Goebel will cross the stage, shake President Engh's hand and receive her diploma June 13 without a financial debt to repay. "I was fortunate enough to be fully financially supported," Goebel said.

Though she may not have had the burden of student loans, Goebel applauds those who take on the responsibility. "I think it's admirable that people come to Santa Clara knowing that they will leave with large amounts of debt because they value their education so much. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do that," she admitted.

The Spanish major may not escape financial ties for long, however. "I've gained an appreciation for education and I plan to continue on to grad school," Goebel said, "though I will most likely end up in debt as a result."

Call a Cab in the City

San Francisco has some of the best public transportation around. With Cal Train and Bart to get you into the city and Muni or the various streetcars and buses to get you around within, it's easy to plan an evening out in Golden Gate City, even if you're coming from Santa Clara.

But, if you're headed to the Sunset or North Beach this winter, you may want to call a cab to travel to your destination quickly and warm. Try the Yellow Cab company: (415) 333-3333 or for a more environmently friendly option, call Green Cab: (415) 626-GREEN.

The city is literally crawling with taxi drivers, so keep your eye out, check the corner of the Cal Train station at 4th & King, or call a cab in advance.