Blog#8: Students of Low Economic Status

Last class began with an activity conducted by Julian discussing campus involvement. He provided a power point presentation with opportunities and how to access them as well as why to get involved on campus. I liked the presentation because it opened my eyes to the various ways that students could be involved that I was previously unaware of. Throughout the presentation I even found myself writing clubs down that sounded interesting. I think that this was helpful, especially for new and transfer students who are not familiar with the area. We then discussed the Chik-fil-A article and the possible motives behind why the principle made the decision not to allow the chain to attend the Ventura High School’s fundraiser. I honestly don’t think that it is anyone’s place to judge her not knowing the full situation. Just from hearing everyone in class I realized that there was probably so much more to the situation than I knew. I think everyone would be lying if they said she didn’t have beliefs supporting gender equality, but whether her decision was based upon beliefs or the school’s vendor process is impossible to tell. Talking about the Non-conforming youth article just refreshed my mind to what I had read the week before but I did like how we switched up the way we went over it by reading other’s papers. Lastly in class we covered gender differences between men and women. We were given questions to answer and discussed the answers as a class. As a female, I enjoyed hearing the men express their views because I know less how they feel about the gender differences and possible reasons for them.

 

The reading for the next class that touched me the most was the article “From homeless to college grad: Story of B-CU student inspires”. It was amazing to see a story of a student who came with so little and made it so far, while at the same time helping so many. It was sad and shocking to hear his story and to think of how many that I might possibly be going to school with who are homeless. The “Working Poor Report” was quite a lengthy article that focused on defining working poor youth and working poor adults. This article mainly provided statistics and definitions that helped clarify definitions and see how many students are poor and attending school. It discusses the issue of funding school for those who are unable. That made me angry, because tuition costs continue to rise despite the challenge for so many to pay their tuition. I do know that more money is needed to pay for resources on campus, but the costs are high even for those not considered poor and they aren’t getting help nor are they acknowledged as having difficulties. The article by Hallet discussed some important issues such as where will students live during breaks who otherwise don’t have a home? How will student’s pay for campus housing in the first place? I really liked that this issue is beginning to be discussed and I hope that it reaches the appropriate people on campuses who can make decisions to make tuition and housing more affordable. When I was a freshman first moving onto a campus I was shocked to see the costs of housing. It was absurd. I can also see how certain words used to describe student’s who don’t have a stable home can be stigmatizing and it is difficult figuring how to classify without making those feel less worthy. The last article by Levine was basically a conversation between two about social policies that have affected college attendance and performance. After and while reading this article, I feel as though it applies to all students. I’m not considered “poor” by school’s standards but I don’t get any financial aid and am therefore needing to work to afford just part of college and must ask for help from either my parents or loan companies. Although these readings target the low income and homeless, the difficulties really apply to all students who aren’t in high-income brackets, and maybe even them as well actually. It is a difficult subject because you can’t very well tell one student they aren’t deserving of help while telling another they are.