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For those living under a rock, stem cell research is the scientific breakthrough of Dr. James A. Thomas. His study revolves around extracting cells from babies still in the womb, called embryos, to help cure diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. As of 2001, stem cell research was virtually shut down by the Bush administration due to the controversy of tampering with embryos; however, Bush allowed scientists to continue with their research using cells that they already had from before the ban.
A glimmer of hope is now shining for stem cell scientists since President Barack Obama won the 2008 election; his plan regarding stem cell research is to lift the restrictions and allow federal funding. Women contribute their eggs, spend days in medical offices being interviewed, counseled, and injected with hormones. After the procedure, they may be paid somewhere around $5,000; women in Massachusetts are only paid to cover expenses. John Podesta, head of Obama's transition team, says the new policy will go into effect in less than 100 days since its affirmation in early November. Podesta's Center for American Progress is considered a possible key facility to further research in stem cells. During the Bush administration, scientists felt that the restrictions delayed America's advancing in research; other countries such as China have already treated patients who were once in critical condition with their stem cell derived medicines. American scientists now wish to make up for lost time under the new order of President Barack Obama.
Everywhere you turn, budgets are getting slashed due to the horrible condition of the economy. People are losing their jobs, families are taking big hits on their incomes, and students are not going to college. The high school senior classes of 2009 face the biggest challenge of getting accepted to state universities as well as top tier private colleges.
This year more than ever, parents are considering public universities for their children simply because it is more affordable. Financial aid is scarce, resulting in paying more for college or choosing more affordable colleges. The only problem with this is that the best education might not be provided. Another option is taking out a loan, but most parents and students prefer not too because of the interest piled onto it. Because some colleges cannot provide financial aid to all students, fewer financially needy students will be accepted to those colleges.
Students are not the only ones taking the hit, but colleges are too. College endowments are based off stocks and investments; with the dramatic drop in stocks, many are losing money. This mainly affects small colleges because they depend heavily on their endowment. Recently, four Christian colleges in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Oregon have announced that they will be shutting due to the economic conditions.
For four-year colleges and universities, there will be a $54 million budget cut. Alone, UMASS Amherst will experience a $12 million loss. Within the last year, Harvard University in Cambridge, MA has lost 22% of its endowment, which is $8 billion. MIT, Harvard, Dartmouth, Boston University, and other colleges are freezing open potions and salaries as well as making budget cuts to counteract their shrinking endowments. The most critical factors in a college's health is their student enrollment and these colleges are doing as much as they can to guarantee that their enrollment rate does not decrease because of financial problems. To lower operating costs, compressing class schedules would mean that more buildings would be closed for an extra day. Consequently, this may mean bigger class sizes than the already large size.
Despite the rough economy, dreams should never be forgotten. Getting into college will be more difficult, but there is always a way to outshine the other stars. All you have to do is find it and beat them to it.
-Emily Tran and Kendra Puckerin
Labels: College