After 2 challenging years with off campus (online) classes due to COVID, and now inflation (and fear of rising inflation), colleges are ramping up tuition to help offset their costs. Our current inflation rate is 8.3% over last year. Colleges are now paying more for faculty, administrative costs, fuel, utilities, food, health care, and more.
Boston University just raised its tuition 4.25% for 2022-23 after increasing it 3% last year. University of Virginia will increase tuition 8.4% over the next 2 years.
Public colleges may be limited by law to incremental tuition increases. Washington State University is allowed to increase tuition by only 2.4% per year for in-state undergraduates. There are no laws to protect graduate, out-of-state, or international students, but Washington has kept tuition increases to just 5% for these students.
With the wildly unpredictable world that we live in today, students should look at projected tuition increases to determine if they can afford to attend for all 4 years. Don’t rely on student loan debt forgiveness promises or tuition bailouts when making these important decisions.
After 2 challenging years with off campus (online) classes due to COVID, and now inflation (and fear of rising inflation), colleges are ramping up tuition to help offset their costs. Our current inflation rate is 8.3% over last year. Colleges are now paying more for faculty, administrative costs, fuel, utilities, food, health care, and more.
Boston University just raised its tuition 4.25% for 2022-23 after increasing it 3% last year. University of Virginia will increase tuition 8.4% over the next 2 years.
Public colleges may be limited by law to incremental tuition increases. Washington State University is allowed to increase tuition by only 2.4% per year for in-state undergraduates. There are no laws to protect graduate, out-of-state, or international students, but Washington has kept tuition increases to just 5% for these students.
With the wildly unpredictable world that we live in today, students should look at projected tuition increases to determine if they can afford to attend for all 4 years. Don’t rely on student loan debt forgiveness promises or tuition bailouts when making these important decisions.
While over 85% of medical and law professional degrees boast a lifetime positive ROI of over $500,000, other Ph.D.s in education and non-STEM fields don’t reap the same rewards. We all know that STEM programs and professional degrees (medical, law) often pay off, but new reports found that 60% of M.B.A.s (America’s most popular master’s degree) and other business-related master’s degrees don’t provide a positive return on the investment (unless you are in a top M.B.A. program).
When considering lost wages and the cost of tuition while going to graduate school in humanities, over half of the students are worse off after earning that degree.
Do the research, and the math, before pursuing higher education. Ask yourself, “Will I improve my career and income if I invest in a higher degree?” More degrees doesn’t always mean more earning potential.
To all Firewise communities and all of those who live in wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, I’ve recorded our entire NRG Firewise Event presentations for you to share with your neighbors and communities. Our 2.5-presentation includes the experts to discuss 17 poignant topics to encourage residents to prepare for wildfires.
Hearing from Supervisor Manu Koenig, OR3, Central Fire, CalFire, Sheriff, ARES, CERT, ER doctor, MURS leaders, RCD, road associations, equine evacuation, Calif Fair Plan, and more, all in one place gives lots of information in an entertaining fashion. We even interviewed our vendors so our community could see innovative solutions offered in products and services.
Let’s reach out to our neighbors and communities to work together to mitigate wildfires from destroying our lives. We can do this!
Surprising Pew poll found that 74% of adults think that race and ethnicity should not be considered in admissions decisions. 82% found that gender should not be considered. 61% of respondents support consideration of high school grades and 39% support standardized tests. And this study included every racial group and even Democrats and Republicans.
The US Supreme Court is preparing to hear 2 cases on the future of affirmative action policies at Harvard and UNC Chapel Hill in October 2022. With admission rates dropping for selective colleges this year, the public is looking for more fair admissions policies.
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Apparently, Americans consider these factors important:
Americans Evaluate What Colleges Should Consider
Factor |
% Who Believe It Should Be a Major Factor | A Minor Factor | Shouldn’t Be Considered |
Community service |
19% | 48% | 33% |
| First in family to go to college | 18% | 28% | 54% |
| Athletic ability | 9% | 36% | 55% |
| Race or ethnicity | 7% | 19% | 74% |
| Whether a relative attended the college | 5% | 20% | 75% Americans Evaluate What Colleges Should Consider |
| Gender | 4% | 14% | 82% |
Pew broke down the responses on race and ethnicity in admissions by race and by political identity. The proportions who believe that race and ethnicity shouldn’t be considered were: 79 percent for white people, 59 percent for Black people, 68 percent for Hispanics and 63 percent for Asians.
In terms of politics, while 87 percent of Republicans said race and ethnicity should not be considered in admissions decisions, 62 percent of Democrats agreed.
The survey was of 10,441 American adults.
There is a lot of frustration amongst college applicants this year, when so many qualified students were denied admission to their top colleges. Seems like Americans are looking for fair college admissions policies.
In Japan, May 5th is Children’s Day — a special day that celebrates children’s health, happiness, and individuality. It used to be known as “Boys’ Day” and March 3rd was “Girls’ Day,” but in 1948 the name was changed to celebrate both boys and girls. Mothers and fathers are also recognized and celebrated on this day. You’ll see carp-shaped windsocks flying to illustrate the carp swimming upstream to become a dragon and fly to heaven. I love this day because we can bring out our Japanese samurai dolls riding on flying carp and eat mochi filled with red bean ham and wrapped in oak leaves! Let our children, be children; and let’s appreciate our parents and teachers!
Did you know that all male US citizens (age 18-25) need to register for Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday? And, all non-US citizen men between 18-25 years of age also much register?
In California, only 38% of men registered when they turned 18 years old. Apparently 92% of men, 18-25 years old, have registered in the rest of the United States.
The penalty for not registering for the Selective Service is up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In 2018, the Selective Service referred over 100,000 names and addresses of suspected violators.
By registering and complying with the Selective Service, these men are eligible for opportunities both now and in the future: federal financial aid, state-funded student financial aid in many states, most federal employment, security clearance for contractors, job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Ace, and US citizenship for immigrant men.
To be considered for Small Business Loans and FEMA grants/loans, male applicants need to be registered with the Selective Service.
Not sure if you or your son has registered, check here
Want to register for the Selective Service now? Check here
Did you know that every 1st grader in California will have a College Savings Fund to encourage and help public school students go to college? Governor Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have established CalKids creating a pathway to college. All children born in California after July 1st will have savings accounts opened for them. Every newborn will receive $25 as a base deposit. All students grades 1-12 will also have savings accounts opened on their behalf – low income students receiving $500 and homeless and foster children receiving an additional $500 – if they choose to go to college.
3.5 million public school students will get these college-fund accounts this year, and 300,000 new students will get accounts each year after. It is the first publicly funded universal child savings account program in the country.
Now this will give students hope and incentive to stay in school and go to college!
Just because hazing traditions in Greek fraternities and sororities in colleges have existed since 1838, this is NOT a good reason to continue these archaic and ritualistic activities today. Our freshmen students are enticed to endure disgusting, cruel, and even life-threatening dares to become pledges with the hope that they’ll be part of a social club where they’ll have a sense of belonging.
But wait – aren’t students going to college so they can explore academic fields and interpersonal relationships? Aren’t they driven to move out of their parents’ homes so they can be independent and do what they want to do in college?
Then why are these freshmen seeking the Greek life where they are forced to conform and lose all identity to pledge with a fraternity or sorority that dominates them? This mindset is designed to reinforce a hierarchy that ensures subservience of new pledges as they become acclimated to the organization. Interestingly, some members complain that they had more freedoms back when they lived at home.
During the past 2 years while college campuses were closed, hazing deaths completely stopped. But now that campuses are mostly opened, hazing has rebound in both men’s and women’s pledging rituals. Fraternities are notorious for forced consumption of alcohol, which has caused a fatality every year since 1959 (except in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic). Sororities engage in more emotional and psychological hazing, which doesn’t get the headlines that frats do.
Just last week, Baylor University announced sanctions against Pi Kappa Phi after a fraternity was found guilty of hazing pledges via sleep deprivation. This was just the tip of the iceberg. One student was confined to a cramped room and denied sleep for 48 hours. Then, he was forced to eat multiple cans of sardines, do calisthenics, and then forced to eat his vomit. This student was mentally and physically abused by the fraternity after he reported the incident to the Baylor Interfraternity Council, and he was encouraged to drop out for the semester because Baylor couldn’t keep him safe.
Wow.
The Greek society seems like an antiquated institution that we should have left behind in the 20th Century. The “Freshman” experience should be all about meeting new people, exploring new cultures, and diving into career options.
While this college admissions season was unusually brutal this year, there are well over 200 colleges and universities that are still accepting applications. After the May 1st deadline for students to accept to the colleges that they plan to attend this fall, even more colleges will open enrollment to fill their incoming classes.
Check out colleges that are still accepting applications here.
The NRG Firewise event at the Locatelli Ranch was more than just a Firewise meeting. Some neighbors from our 260-household community met for the first time (in over 20 years!) and others reconnected as they came together for a common goal: learn what we can do to prepare for the inevitable wildfire.
Eighteen experts presented their “elevator speeches” to educate and inspire the guests. Supervisor Manu Koenig opened with good news about 2 road repairs and what we can do to move along easement issues that are holding up the third road repair. These speakers discussed how emergency communication works from the OR3 (9-1-1) to Central Fire/Cal Fire to ARES (ham radio). The sheriff explained how CodeRED sends out messages to those with cell reception and electricity, and then how they knock on doors when power is out. CalFire discussed Zonehaven, and how we need to “Know Your Zone” to get evacuation orders. We encouraged all guests to get the 4” white reflective address signs so fire and EMS can find homes when it’s dark and smoky.
Central Fire shared their upcoming Evacuation Smarts classes and what homeowners need to do to clear all combustible material around homes. We even learned equine evacuation tips. To encourage neighbors and road associations to work together, Rod Caborn gave tips on how to plan work parties to get the jobs done. RCD explained how families can get free chipping services.
Keith Trinity and Eric Swenson preprogrammed the Bao Feng UV-82C radios for our community. These MURS radios don’t require licenses (like ham radios) and they’re programmed so our entire community can connect on them. We can even hear fire, sheriff, and PG&E radio transmissions and the radios have been locked so we don’t accidentally interrupt those channels.
My daughter Nicole D’Arcy, ER doctor at Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center, gave tips on wearing non-synthetic materials during evacuations (synthetic fabrics melt on skin) and how to treat burns (with honey) and other injuries. One of my college advisory students, Sean Gomez, presented his cyber deck project that is designed to help our Firewise community during catastrophic disasters.
Our vendors brought innovative solutions using water from pools to refill fire trucks and roof-top sprinkler systems. Guests brought their metal fire extinguishers to be refilled at the event. California Fair Plan and State Farm agents were available to answer questions about non-renewed policies and to offer 10% and 2% discounts, respectively, for our community because we are now Firewise recognized.
During lunch, Harpin’ Jonny and Clark played the harmonica and guitar – creating excellent entertainment. Guests enjoyed delicious burritos from Taqueria Vallarta. And the best part – guests talked to Central Fire, Cal Fire, the sheriff, Dr. D’Arcy, vendors, and other neighbors. We had over a dozen Firewise leaders from nearby communities join us to collaborate and discuss working together.
After the 2 sessions of speeches, Carlon’s Fire Protection demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher and allowed guests to put out fires. Then Frank Locatelli and I demonstrated how to safely use a chainsaw. Frank used his gas-powered chainsaw, and I used my 10-inch battery-powered Makita. Both cut through tree branches like they were butter.
Thanks to the Locatellis for preparing their property for 150+ guests. Special thanks to Manu Koenig, David Reid, Keith Trinity, Eric Swenson, John Gerhardt, David Dean, Marco Mack, and Nicole D’Arcy for speaking during the first session.
Thanks to Marco Mack, Nick Baldridge, Sean Murray, Tony Akin, Angie Richman, Rod Caborn, Crystal English, Phil Irwin, and Sean Gomez for speaking during the last session. Appreciate vendors Cindy Weigelt, Karen Corscadden, Drew Hogner, Alicia Murdock, and Danny Cortazzo for sharing their services and products with our community.
We are fortunate to have a responsive and supportive fire department. Central Fire’s Chief John Walbridge, Marshal Mike DeMars, Deputy Marshal Marco Mack, and Wildland Fire Hazard Specialist Tony Akin – and incoming Chief Jason Nee – have coached and guided me as I organized our NRG Firewise community. They’ve met with our road associations, individual homeowners, and nearby Firewise groups to give us tools we need to protect our homes.
Thanks to Carolyn Stallard and Dave Warren for helping with Firewise maps and spreadsheets, and thanks to our event volunteers: Teresa and Frank Locatelli, Nate Pickens, Kelly Gardner, Rick and Ruth Moe, Dania Moss, Rod Caborn, Spencer Balliet, Keith Gudger, and Becky Steinbruner.