The Griffin: volume 51, issue 04 - Oct. 3, 1980

              students a sense of identity among themselves and within the college they added. Identity has come to be an important idea behind the commuter union. It serves as recognition of the large commuter body and allows for the need of representation. Miller feels there is not an existing organization that can specifically address itself to these muters making up 80% of the student population, Dean Miller stressed the importance of political considerations that would represent, protect and further the integration of commuters within Canisius. Later outgrowths could possibly be breakfast for commuters, better parking facilities, course programming and a commuter sponsored mixer. Lillis stressed as well that the Commuter Union will be organized in a non-competitive atmosphere with the Senate and Resident Union. Rather, it would The idea has been met with opposition by some residents though. They feeJ a commuter union would work against their interests and disrupt their unity. Judy Myslinski, president of resident union, attributed this opposition as a misrepresentation of information. Furthermore, Myslinski said, "As the residents have needs that call for a functioning Resident Union, so do the commuters have exclusive needs that a commuter union could satisfy". She also added that if the occasion warranted it, Resident Union would be willing to work with the commuters. —photo by Mary Kay Anderson Interested commuters at initial meeting Peggy Lillis, coordinator of new commuter movement. Major Financial Aid Changes Pending —photo by Mary Kay Andersoi Grant Program from a maximum of $1900 to a maximum of $2600 over the next five years. Another new feature of the program will be the exclusion of the family home in determining assets for computing amount of aid. students to obtain. Mr. Bellia suggested tha students apply now for the GSL to Spring semester, before the ir terest rate increases. He als suggested that students keep othe programs in mind when applyin for financial aid for the '81-'f school year. The bill must now c to the President for his approval. terest to cover the costs of the student's education. If parents receive a loan through this program, the student is still eligible for other funds. Finally, money available under SEOG has been increased from $1,500 to a maximum of $2,000. Other technical details in the bill make grants and loans easier for Secondly, Congress increased the interest rate on NDS loans from 3% to 4%, and reduced the repayment grace period from nine months to six months. Four Frosh Elected; Run-off Date Set A new Federal Reauthorization Bill was passed by Congress on September 25th, reported Mr. Anthony Bellia, director of financial aid. The reauthorization bill deals with five Federal Financial Aid Programs — Basic Educational Opportunity Grants (BEOG), National Direct Student Loans (NDSL), College Work- by Paula Horvath Study, Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL), and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Several major changes have been made in these programs. First BEOG has been renamed the Pell Grant Program, in honor of the congressman who initiated the program. Awards will gradually increase under the Pell Anthony Bellia giving students insight on Financial Aid. —photo by Mary Kay Ande The College Work-Study Program remained essentially the same. The only provision added is that students in the program cannot be paid less than minimum wage. A run-off election, Boyd said, According to Steve Boyd, elections committee chairman, Kathy Twist, Bill Crotty, Barb Curry and Marisa Rauch have been elected to one-year terms, pending approval by the Senate. The fifth senatorial seat ended up in a three-way tie between Ron Geisler, Mary Frank and Mike van Wagner. by Wally Piotrowski been elected to the Undergraduate - Student Assembly in elections held this past week. Four freshman senators have The final tally was: Twist, 90; Crotty, 86; Curry, 72; and Rauch, 56. Geisler, Frank and van Wagnen were tied at 55. Boyd said, "The race was very close, but I was not pleased with the turnout, although nearly 30% of the freshmen voted." He added that he hopes more will turn out for the run-off election. will be held Monday, Oct. 6 and Tuesday, Oct. 7 in the Student Center Foyer, from 8:30-2:30. One senate seat and an alternate will be decided. The winner will be announced Tuesday afternoon. Loans under the GSL Program are also subject to increased interest rates. The present 7% will go up to 9% when the bill becomes law. Also, more funds will be available to students. The' amount of loan money an undergraduate can obtain through the program has been increased from a total of S7500 to a total of $12,500 over a four-year period. A third feature of the GSL is a new Parent Loan Program. For each undergraduate in college, parents can borrow up to $3,000 at 9% in- Drummer Is Eulogized ... page 8 VOLUME LI, NUMBER 4 Canisius College FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1980 Griffs Lose First Game ... page 16 In This Issue.., New Dorm Programs .. . page 3 Commuters Rallying for Identity by Susan Lapetina In the first formal meeting last Wednesday, September 24, Lillis reported a good showing of support from the student commuter body. Organizational meetings that will draw up a constitution apd create a legislative and social branch will be announced later. interact with these groups to serve not only commuters, but the entire student body as well. A commuter union, presently in its developing stages at Canisius, is gaining much support and recognition from commuters, residents, faculty, and administration according to student Senate Treasurer, Peggy Lillis and Dean of Students Dr. Thomas Miller. A commuter union would give the special concerns of a commuter. He adds, "I support any suggestions that we might benefit from any organization that supports commuters." Lillis also noted that a union will be an integral element in keeping the interests and needs of commuters actively growing. These needs would be served both politically and socially. With com-