Author: Jannat Mazari

By Allie Le

Transcript Correspondent

This upcoming spring semester, the members of OWU Sick Steps (OSS) focus on spreading their passion for hip-hop dance throughout campus.

Their goal is to perform in Cultural Fest, Vietnamese Students Association’s Lunar New Year and Global Outreach Show this coming spring.

According to sophomore Leah Duong, president of OSS, the club focuses mainly on hip-hop. However, every member will be able to learn much from one another due to their diverse styles and different backgrounds.

“OSS’ major purpose is to promote hip-hop culture on campus and become a place for anyone who is interested in hip-hop to come and share their experience with others,” she said.

Duong said she came up with the idea of establishing the club after noticing the school did not have a hip-hop club or class for hip-hop lovers to come practice and learn.

With her fellow hip-hop lovers, Duong decided to participate in Rafiki wa Africa’s Global Outreach Show (GOS) as a dance group. As a result, OSS was formed.

The club was officially recognized on campus by WCSA and the Student Involvement Office on Oct. 11.

Sophomore Amanda Liu, one of the founding members of the club, said her experiences as an OSS member from the very beginning have been memorable.

“It is also very exciting, as we are creating history in a way at OWU, and it is very comforting to see many new members joining who also share the same passions and love for dance, and are willing to give up their own time to join the club,” she said. “After all, a club is about the people, for without the people the club would be pointless, so I am very happy to see so many people who also recognize the need for this club.”

According to Liu, the club members’ expectations are not “sky high,” since the club is fairly young. Their goal is to “establish a well-functioning club, with many interested and enthusiastic members.”

By Toria Reisman

Transcript Correspondent

 

As the month of October is coming to an end, so is the opportunity to experience people selling produce and other goods on the streets of downtown Delaware.

Main Street Delaware’s downtown Farmer’s Market will be stopping for the 2013 year after Saturday, Oct. 26.

Every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, Sandusky Street has been lined with vendors selling their products.

“There are always delicious free samples and I can’t help but want to buy something every time I go,” said sophomore Jessica Demes, who said she has visited the market frequently.

Vendors are able to participate for a $10 table fee each week and can reserve a table for the whole season, which begins in late may and runs through the last Saturday in October. Every Wednesday between 3 and 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings between 9:30 and12:30 p.m. vendors are able to showcase their products to anyone walking by.

Fred, a vendor from South Marion, Ohio, said he sells all homemade products, including traditional chocolate chip and pumpkin cookies, a variety of breads and pies, kettle corn and others. Fred said he sold around 1,100 pies last year and believes he has reached that mark for the 2013 season.

Buyers are welcome to taste some of the Sallie Sloboda products when they walk by. Fred typically has free samples of his products sitting out on his table for customers to test.

Another table, selling fresh produce, has also been participating in the farmer’s market for the entire 2013 season. Working at his mother’s stand, Curtis said his favorite part about the market is meeting new people.

Not all of the vendors consistently attend every Wednesday and Saturday; however, there is always a variety of products being sold. The market will start back up in the 2014 season after it closes for the year on Saturday.

By Samantha Simon

Transcript Reporter

Students and recent graduates now have all the benefits and free access to a new program called SALT.

SALT is a money management education resource that helps students reach their financial and educational goals.

American Student Assistance (ASA), a non-profit organization, created the program to help students reach their financial goals while working for a diploma. Students can access online and offline support to figure out the best ways to borrow less, take out the right type of loans and learn life financial skills.

When users log onto saltmoney.org, they can access a personal dashboard where they can review all their federal and private loans in one area.

SALT teaches students and alums the basic financial fundamentals including income, expenses and savings. Students can review SALT’s tips on paying for next semester, repaying student loan debt, paying bills and making a large purchase right after signing up for an account.

Another benefit SALT offers is career advice and guidance. After enrolling in the program, you can access SALT’s database with over 50,000 jobs and internship opportunities from more than 23,000 employers.

Along with those benefits, there is also a continuously updated list of more than 2 million scholarships worth $15 billion.

According to SALTmoney.org, SALT manages a portfolio of 1.4 million college student borrowers, and is proud to say that 94 percent of these loans are in good standing. For four years in a row SALT has beaten the national cohort default rate by 54 percent.

Director of Financial Aid Kevin Paskvan said the university felt the need to partner with a company like SALT because of the national increase in student loan borrowing.

According to a U.S News & World Report, students suffer from a lack of financial literacy that leaves them unable to navigate the complex maze of financial aid applications and loan options, further adding to their money troubles even after they leave school.

The report also said national student loan debt now tops $1.1 trillion, with the average student accruing more than $26,000 in debt upon graduating.

In some instances, this debt occurs from students simply not understanding the loan process, and not being educated in personal finance.

Paskvan said that having access to SALT could assist students with their personal finance goals and with managing their overall loan debt. The program includes important financial literacy to help students become more aware of what they are getting into, and how to manage everything.

Paskvan came to the university in July, and at that time the decision to implement SALT had already been made. Paskvan said he has been responsible for getting the service up and running.

According to Paskvan, since the program just recently went live it is hard to tell how many students have actually enrolled.

Paskvan said the university had not participated in a program like SALT in the past, and that its yearly membership is approximately $5,000.

“I really do feel this is a great benefit for our students and families. Anyone can sign up free of charge to use SALT,” he said. “There is a lot of great information on the site, and I would encourage everyone to use it.”