VOL. 39, NO. 5 • November 2 - 15, 2005
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Those Roommate Blues
By Cassie Duarte
Western Sun Staff Writer

You need them so you can afford to live away from home and still go to
college. But why can’t they clean up, shut up and leave your stuff alone?

A “ROOMMATE WANTED” paper posted on a bulletin board on a college campus is not a rare artifact to come by. However, finding a roommate that can be lived with peaceably is harder to find. Many students have heard or experienced the horror stories of college roommates accompanied by piles of
dirty dishes or scattered clothing creating a mess that refuses to be cleaned.

The roommate situation for the average student can be a tough one to call. Although living with your friends can seem ideal, it can also a harsh test of friendship.

“I lived with my best friend…that was a big mistake. He didn’t want to work so rent and bills never got paid and he would eat all the
food that I bought. After three months I left because I knew we were getting evicted anyway,” said David Wong, 20, a communications major.

Roommates can be anything but simple with schedules and lifestyle The accumulation of bills and other expenses can also add to the stress of cohabitation. There are also smaller problems that can come with having to get to know a new person in such an intimate space.

“My current roommate is a good guy but he snores so loud that I can hear him through the wall.” stresses GWC student Jon Adams, “Sometimes I sleep on the couch just to get away, but it turns out I can even hear him in the living room.”

There are always emotional situations that will build tension within any house. However, if a roommate brings their separate, personal drama home, then chances are that it will spread into your life and space, not to mention add stress to any other roommates that may be present.

One of the most commonly complained of problems is the mess factor. Most of the time, students complain that a person is too neat for comfort, or too messy for reason.

“I have had the worst roommate ever. He never cleaned up after himself, didn’t do chores and worst of all...he ate all my food!” says GWC student Brian Crain.

Living with a boyfriend or girlfriend as a student can bring its own set of problems. Many students are not fully prepared for this kind of arrangement for what it can do to benefit or conversely hurt a relationship.

Some reasons that couples choose live together is because they believe that it will be easier because of the relationship or they are trying it out to get a feel for marriage.

Unfortunately, as many are not really prepared for the kind of commitment and lack of space the situation will provide; this can truly devastate a relationship.

On the upside of things, there are college students who have truly enjoyed their roommates. Even though there are many concessions and complications, great friendship and arrangements can be made.

GWC student Rachel Byrne says, “I have had only one roommate and my experience was good. We would split the rent and electric bills and that worked out well. In the long run, living together had a great effect on our friendship and I had a wonderful experience.”

Aside from the friend factor, having a cut in bill prices and rent is a lifesaver
for students when school expenses are continually on the rise. Living with another person will also give valuable lessons in cooperation, responsibility, and
personal initiative.

By coming to terms with what you have to responsibility for yourself and
coming to agreement on various arrangements in living you will also exercise
you interpersonal communication.

Although would seem easier to call mom and dad to ask to move back in, it is important for students to realize that college is a time to grow and learn how to adapt to life.

Before moving out, it is important for students to think about current life situations and sort out the pros and cons. Consider these facts: 55 percent of men and 46 percent of women between the ages of 18-24 still live at home with their parents through college.

After graduating from college, 11 percent of men and 9 percent of women between the ages of 25-34 continue to live with their parents.

In the realm of apartments, most places ask for at least one year of good
credit in order to be able to sign. Problems with paying the rent can affect your
credit and make it difficult to move into another place.

Making the decision to move away from the comforts of home is a hard
choice to make.

Although it is difficult to start anew and to harmonize with college roommates,
there are ways to make sure that the experience in pleasant. Make sure
to establish rules, clean up your own mess, pay your rent and bills on time.

Be willing to compromise and communicate at all times. Make it a point to
stay open minded and to be respectful of the other person in the house.

Finally, try to have the kind of consideration for the other person that you
want for yourself, and if that doesn’t work; have them taken off the lease and
invest in some bright paper and sharpies.

Election brings several issues before state voters
By Ashley Weis
Western Sun staff writer

Many of us will vote in next week’s Statewide election, however there will probably be many people who want to vote, but are unsure of how to vote.
There are many hot issues this year, some of which will greatly effect students, as well as faculty.

The decision that you make will be entirely up to you, but it’s also extremely important that you know exactly what you are voting yes or no on, because
in the end, your decision may effect all of us.

A yes on Proposition 73 would redefine the term abortion to say “the death of an unborn child, a child conceived but not yet born.” It would also change the law to require a waiting period and parental notification prior to terminating a
minor’s pregnancy.

Those in favor of Proposition 73 believe that it is wrong that in the United States a child as young as 13 can’t get an aspirin or a flue shot, but she can undergo such a serious and dangerous surgery as an abortion.

Those against it say that it not only infringes on a person’s rights, but also in many cases the child may live in troubled homes, and admitting to something
like that could put them in harm’s way. Teen pregnancy and abortion rates have been declining in California for years, and most pregnant girls tell a parent before getting an abortion,” stated an argument printed in the Los
Angeles Times, “So Proposition 73, requiring doctors to inform a minor’s parents before performing an abortion, has little to offer this state — and
much to take away.”

Proposition 74 would change the probationary period for teachers from two years to five years, and would effect teachers whose probationary period
started in the 2003-2004 school year.

Those in favor argue that although California’s schools are among the best, there is much money that is constantly wasted. And Prop. 74 would change it so that “high-quality teachers” would be rewarded.“ I agree,” said student Diana Valenci, 19, “It sounds like a good idea—like a system that would work.”

Those against Prop. 74, and there are many teachers on that list, argue that it doesn’t change the fact that schools are over crowded, and lacking resources.
They also say that it takes away a teacher’s right to a hearing before the are dismissed— we give criminals a right to due process, but not teachers?

Proposition 75 would require a written consent from union employees before using their dues for political purposes.

Those in favor argue that it is unfair that they are forced to give their hard-earned money to political candidates or issues that they do not even agree with. “I believe in the union and what it does,” said Jim Prunty, a union member from Glendora, “It supports me in many ways, but I don’t need it spending a portion of my dues for political purposes. If I want to make a political contribution to a candidate it should be voluntary, not mandatory.”

Proposition 76 would put a second limit on state expenditures, which would give the government more authority to reduce state spending in certain
“situations.” It would also allow state policymakers to cut funding in the areas that deserve it the most—in schools, as well as funding for firefighters, police, and health care. The state constitution guarantees some funding for those areas, and Prop. 76 would lessen that guarantee. Those against it say it attacks our system of checks and balances, putting too much power into the hands of politicians.

Proposition 77 would redistrict California, but would change it so that a panel of three retired judges develop the district. It would require the trio to remain completely nonpartisan, and also receive feedback and plans from the public. Supposedly, in the long run might actually reduce the current costs spent in this area.

Those against it say that the government has tried to do this many times before—and have never succeeded. They say that while California does desperately need reform, this is not the answer. This would only give more power to politicians, people who, in the minds of many, already have way too
much power.

Propositions 78 and 79 both deal with medical coverage. In many ways they are extremely similar—both include various medical programs in the state, both require a small fee each year, and both would involve the drug rebates to be negotiated with the drug makers, however Prop. 79 requires these rebates to be subject to federal approval.

Some say Prop. 79 puts too much power in the hands of the government, rather than the drug makers. However, Prop.79 would also make it a civil violation
for drug makers to profit from the sale of drugs. Prop. 78 gives the power to the drug makers—meaning they can make their own rules.

“Proposition 79 jeopardizes access to prescription drugs for the lowest income and most vulnerable individuals in this state,” said Neva Hirschkorn, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California.

Finally, Proposition 80 would make all of California’s electric companies subject to regulation and control by California’s Public Utilities Commission.
Those in favor say that in the long run rates would go down, make more adequate supplies, provide for more stability and regulation, and would actually
be more energy efficient.

Those against the proposition say it would “undermine the security of state energy supplies, undercut the availability of affordable electricity and
undercut the construction of environmentally-friendly renewable energy generation from wind, solar, and geothermal resources.”

It would also prohibit power consumers, such as schools and hospitals, from getting cheaper, cleaner energy, raising the price of needed goods and services,
all while placing our environment at risk.

It is known that the voter turnout rate is primarily lower for smaller, state elections, but it is very important that those who are able to vote do so. It is
also extremely important to be informed, and to make the best decision that one can possibly make.

For more unpartisan information on this year’s election, including the propositions and measures, visit www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov or www.smartvoter.org.