Volume 55, Number 10   October 15, 2007         

Paying to learn
Jimmie Wilder, associate director of financial aid, was interviewed by ABC 7 News for a story on new financial aid legislation that will pump $20 billion into loans and grants for college students. "I think it’s time, especially with the rise in educational costs at most institutions around the country," said Wilder. "This is enabling individuals to go through school and not necessarily have to take out a loan and go into debt. So that's a positive." Psychology student Katrina Surprise was also quoted saying that it will take her about 15 years to pay off her loans.

Saving a species
In a Sept. 30 article in USA Weekend, Assistant Professor of Biology Vance Vredenburg discussed California's endangered mountain yellow-legged frog. "Unless things start turning around for this frog, it is headed for extinction," he said. "Just five years ago, it was possible to see the mountain yellow-legged frog populations with thousands of adults and tens of thousands of tadpoles. Today, that is nearly impossible to find."

Consuming our happiness
"The best things in life are not things," said Joel Kassiola, professor of political science and dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, in an Oct. 1 KALW-FM "City Visions" broadcast. Kassiola was featured as a scholarly expert during an interview on American consumerism alongside the founder of The Compact, a group that takes pledges to buy nothing new, and Eugene Muscat, professor of management at the University of San Francisco. "We have the first society that has defined happiness through acquisitions of material goods," Kassiola said. "We could have different definitions of happiness. We could have different definitions of success."

Science for all
In the Sept. 30 San Mateo County Times, Teaster Baird, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, commented on his National Science Foundation CAREER award and his desire to encourage minority students to pursue science careers. Baird recounted his own difficulties entering the science world, which fueled his motivation to become a mentor and role model. "I think kids need to start earlier [in the sciences] these days, because it's more competitive," he said. "I want the kids to be aware of opportunities and possibilities out there."

For more media coverage of faculty, staff, students, alumni and programs, see SF State in the News.

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Last modified October 15, 2007 by University Communications.