2A
NEWS
November 1, 2013 Vol. 89, No. 7 online at thelink.harding.edu
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
Students unite through Club Week by Bethany Aspey opinions editor
Club Week, a week dedicated to the induction process designed for social clubs, comes to an end today. Club Week varies within different social clubs, but all have been constructed to reaffirm Harding’s goals and mission. This Club Week represents the first Club Week for Chad Joice, the new assistant dean of students. Tuesday night’s roll-call was conducted by Joice. He participated in Club Week activities for the first time as a staff member just the night before. “Monday night was the first time I had been a part of ‘All-Club Devotional’ and I was really impressed,” Joice said. “I loved the devo aspect of it.” Joice said he thought the amount of interaction and encouragement during roll-call is an exceptional part of the gathering. “I loved seeing them all come in, cheering and wearing their club colors, but also supporting everyone else,” Joice said. “I think that adds to the community of Harding.” Freshman Neale Zeringue, a new member for men’s club Chi Sigma Alpha said he is thankful for the week and what is has done for all the new members. “Club Week has given me a new family through the brotherhood of Chi Sigs,” Zeringue said. “All-Club Devos have been the best parts of the week because I’ve been able to see all the club’s pride and hype for the new inductees.” For men’s club Gamma Sigma Phi, Wednesday night of Club Week was a different kind of unifying and bonding experience. While playing flag football against men’s club TNT, new member and freshman Jacob McCall dislocated his knee and broke his femur. New and old members as well as queens went to the hospital with McCall to support him that night. He had surgery Thursday.
VIRGINIA “VIVI” VITALONE | THE BISON New members of women’s club Ju Go Ju Caroline Koonce, freshman, and Cami Redding, freshman, goof off during a shaving cream fight on Monday night with men’s club Pikes. Men’s and women’s social clubs often participated in activities together to promote camaraderie between different groups on campus. Club week concludes Friday night.
“I think his injury has brought the club together and created a stronger sense of brotherhood between all the new members,” senior Gamma Sigma Phi Queen Sarah Bobo said. “It was awesome to see everyone just want to be there for him.” Most club induction activities are planned and
A Guide to Student Loans and Financial Aid
M
ore than 90 percent of Harding students receive some form of financial assistance, whether that is from federal, state or private sources. According to a recent national College Board study, 60 percent of students who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2012 graduated with debt. The average debt was $26,500. For Harding students looking to receive some sort of financial aid for the coming spring semester, now is the time to begin making a plan and taking action.
1. Need-based grants for sophomore, juniors and seniors.
Freshman recipients of the Harding Freshman Grant or the Federal Pell Grant who have a GPA of at least 2.5 are eligible for further grants as sophomores, juniors and seniors. Through these grants, students can receive up to $9,750 in aid.
2. Tuition discounts. Harding’s financial aid website details the following discounts: Christian College Employee Discount, Christian Ministers Discount, Christian Missionary Discount, Christian School (K-12) Discount, Orphan Discount and Tuition Exchange Discounts.
3. Scholarships.
The government’s student aid website suggests searching the U.S. Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool for scholarships that may be available. Additionally, professional associations, foundations, religious or community organizations, civic groups and local businesses often give scholarship money to students.
4. Federal Grants.
While scholarships are merit-based, grants are need-based. To get a federal grant, it is essential for students to fill out a FAFSA and, once recieved, talk with a financial aid advisor at their university about options and details.
5. Federal student loans.
The U.S. Department of Education offers both subsidized and unsubsidized lowinterest loans to eligible students. Once again, it is essential to fill out a FAFSA to begin this process. For students who may not need aid right now but have loans to pay off, Harding’s website offers loan repayment assistance. Borrowers may have options that can forgive, discharge or pay for a portion of student loans. An eBook on the webpage captures more than 60 ways to “get rid of your student loans,” including loan consolidations, forgiveness programs and repayment programs.
A checklist from HU Financial Aid: 1. Submit the FAFSA. Apply for federal aid by submitting this online form at www.fafsa. gov. Be prepared with parent and student tax return information. You will also need to go to pin.ed.gov at the end of the process to receive an electronic PIN that will serve as an online signature. 2. Complete requested forms. Some students will be asked to submit forms to verify their FAFSA information. 4. Apply for student loans. If you want to take out student loans, you will need to complete entrance counseling and master promissory note. Go to www.studentloans.gov. Graphic by Tyler Carmical Story by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols
Info from harding.edu/finaid and studentaid.ed.gov
executed by the vice presidents from each social club. “This week has been so much fun, and I can’t wait for the rest of the week to unfold,” junior Amy Wilson, vice president of Zeta Pi Zeta, said. “We are really excited about the new relationships that are being formed and are excited to continue growing as a club.”
New organization focuses on service through teaching
S.A.L.T., a pre-professional education club, reactivates, starts serving community by Hazel Halliburton copy editor
The Harding education department’s pre-professional organization, S.A.L.T. helped serve the Searcy community this past Thursday as they spent their time reading and helping mentor children at Westside Elementary School. S.A.L.T., which stands for scholars advancing learning and teaching, is a club and organization designed for all students earning their degree in education. According to senior education major, Mariah Huffman, who is also the president of the club, S.A.L.T. has been inactive for several years. “I would like to see it become a club that stays on campus,” Huffman said. “I’m graduating in May, but I would like to see the club continue. We really want it to be an organization that gets involved with the community and is well recognized on campus for service. … The name of the club comes from the book of Matthew where Jesus talks about being the salt of the world. We want it to be a club whose goal is to serve God through education, service projects, mentoring other education students and, overall, improving the department. ” Huffman said more than 20 students are currently involved with the club, but she hopes it will continue to grow. “The fact that S.A.L.T. is a student-led organization is exciting, because we all get to play a part in how we want to
BISON BASKETBALL
Men’s and women’s basketball begin practicing and gear up for their first games of the season. SPORTS, 2B
affect the community,” senior Mariah Scott said. “As an education major, I’m always looking for ways to spend time working with and serving children and their families.” On Thursday, about 20 members of S.A.L.T. participated in a service project at Westside Elementary School where they read children’s books, dressed up as different characters from the stories and then helped conduct different activities for the children that correlated with the books. We want it to be a club whose goal is to serve God through education, service projects, mentoring other education students and, overall, improving the department.
-Mariah Huffman, S.A.L.T. president
According to Huffman, this was the first service project that the club participated in this year. She said she was able to read a book from the “Ellis, the Elephant” series which tells the story of a young elephant discovering America. Huffman said the project was a fun way to interact with young students. “I think all of our service projects will help me get more acquainted with how communities interact with schools,” Scott said.
REMEMBERING JANIE KIRBY
Alumni honor former student who was killed in terrorist attack. FEATURES, 3B
WINTER FASHION
Make a seamless wardrobe transition from fall to winter. CAMPUS LIFE, 4B