Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Higher Education Shouldn’t Be Bought

[OP-ED] Higher education often comes at a hefty price, even if you get accepted. Many students dismiss the idea of getting a college degree because the financial burden at both private and public institutions. But what if college tuition was free? In this article titled Why Tuition-Free College Makes Sense,written by Lawrence Wittne, a professor from SUNY Albany, points out major reasons why tuition-free college is the way to go. Professor Wittne pulls historical data to make his point: from the mid-1800’s to the 1980’s, all levels of education, elementary school to college, was free to all. The decision to pursue further education wasn’t hindered by the potential student debt and instead gave people equal opportunity to decide their path. Since then, the price of American public colleges and universities has skyrocketed to over 1,000 percent. Today we are accustomed to graduating with debt, students taking on full-time jobs to pay their way through college, students dropping out, and students not committing due to the costs. The average price tag for public colleges and universities for in-state residents is around $9,100 while the average price tag for out-of-state residents is just below $23,000. For private universities and colleges the average price is over $50,000 a year, and that doesn’t even include room, board and other fees that come into play. What does offering free tuition change? First, it means every high school student will have the opportunity to receive a higher education. For many low-income to middle-class families, going to college is not even an option. While there are many grants and financial aid programs are available, the idea of it is simply too intimidating due to the costs associated with it. If students choose to pursue higher education, this means little to no debt for them upon graduation. Today, three of four students will graduate with debt. The total student loan debt in the United States is $1.3 trillion. That’s an average of $30,000 (plus taxes) that every student taking out a loan has to pay off after graduation. Alongside non-profits like QuestBridge and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative, many more students are learning about the opportunities available to them after high school. As more non-profits and resources are educating students about college and helping them apply and succeed, may be it’s time for the government to take step further and join in. Recently, San Francisco became the first city to offer free tuition for community college to city residents. New York state has followed and has now approved tuition-free college at both 2-year and 4-year institutions for full time, middle-class students. Will the rest of the country follow? Written by Intern

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Dred Scott Case essays

Dred Scott Case essays Did you know that the Dred Scott Case was one of the most important cases ever tried in the United States? It started when Scotts former master John Emerson had died and his wife Irene Sanford-Emerson hired out Scott and his family to work for other families. Since that happened, it caused him to file a suit against her for his freedom. This suit had embarked on a legal fight that lasted eleven years, and was finally ended in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court had later issued a milestone decision that kept Scott as a slave. This decision contributed to rising tensions between the free and slave states just before the American Civil War. In the past, Missouri courts had supported the saying of once free, always free, and in Scotts case he felt as though he should be free. Given that Scott had been living in free territories for almost nine years, yet he never made the attempt to end his services as a slave. Although no one knows why he picked this time to file suit, historians have considered three possibilities: He may have been dissatisfied with being hired out; Mrs. Emerson might have been planning to sell him; or he may have offered to buy his own freedom and been refused. They say that the suit wasnt for political reasons, but more of hearsay. Now in order to file a suit you must know how to read, how to write, and have money. Unfortunately, Dred Scott did not posses any of these. In spite of that, he looked to his minister, John Anderson, to help him read and write. In addition to having the Blow family, Scotts original owners, back him up financially. Their support helped him through those eleven comp licated years. This case was first put on trial at the St. Louis Circuit Court in 1846. Later on that following year, the court ruled in Mrs. Emersons favor while dismissing the case; however, allowing the Scotts to re-file th...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Managing Human Resources (Reflecting on the issue raised by the Sales Essay

Managing Human Resources (Reflecting on the issue raised by the Sales Manager) - Essay Example These are important in order to build a successful manufacturer - sales agent relationship". Sales representatives also give importance to product package, quality product lines that are competitive in terms of effectiveness and affordability. They are particular in the quality and delivery of the products and most importantly, sales people seek to represent organization that has proven integrity and are supportive of agents (Spiegel 2006). While looking at the factors mentioned, sales management can conduct teambuilding for the sales representatives. Sales people are so vital to the organization that it is important to invest in them. Management should make the sales people feel they are important. Bonding and trust in each other are created during team building and sales people always look forward to this kind of activity. Feeling a sense of belonging make them stay long in the organization. Sales planning should also be conducted in a venue outside the company. In this particular activity, people give their sales commitment with the corresponding action plan that they would take to insure the achievement of the sales target. Improvement in the sales performance is observed after a sales planning. A medium-size streamer is displayed conspicuously at the lobby on the way to the conference room where orientation for new employees takes place. The text on the streamer says, "At NL&C, you're in good hands. We insure your future through the 401 (k) Retirement Plans". At this stage when new employees have just begun an episode of their lives with NL&C, they will know that obviously the streamer is exclusively for their curious eyes and questioning mind. The streamer was placed along their path for them to see and feel the caring hands of NL&C from the start and through their stay with their newfound company. Apparently, as in-charge of employees' benefits, I think I was able to effectively put the message across. My purpose of putting 401 (k) retirement plans in the text is to stir the curiosity of the new employees. Many of them, especially the first timer or those who come from another company which does not offer the same privilege, would ask what 401 (k) is. I understand that although 401(k) will benefit them, there will be a lot of questions and some opposition. I have to give them advance information of what will be discussed during the orientation. I want them to be excited so that the appetite to listen attentively will prevail as soon as they enter the conference room. After some explanation of the company rules and regulations, its time for the new employees to hear why it is worth partnering with NL&C. 401(k) along with other benefits will be explained this way: First of all, there are protections and benefits that go with the new workers everyday while they work with the company. On top of them there is the 401(k) retirement plans which afford them of a long term benefit. A portion of their salary will be put aside for their