By Dave Lapham, Jillian Grenier, Derika Downing
Special to the Critic
Students look to a drug to aid studying.
Coffee is no longer enough; too much homework and stress is making college students across the country turn to the drug Adderall for that extra burst of energy they need.
The prescription drug Adderall is made for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and is not only illegal to take without a prescription but is also unsafe if not taken correctly. It consists of amphetamines that stimulate the central nervous system. The drug is commonly prescribed to those diagnosed with ADHD, and is used to increase levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Students around campus who admit to taking the drug illegally talked openly about the subject but asked to not be identified.
“I remember a bunch of my girlfriends and I started using adderall recreationally, and that made it so we could drink all night,” an 09 female said. “I would get up and bump one in the morning before class to help me get through [the day] after a night of drinking.”
Many college students find solace in the drug because it eliminates drowsiness, supports them in their all night drinking endeavors, and helps them concentrate in those few moments before a big exam or heavily weighted essays.
Not all students use the drug to facilitate all-night drinking binges. Some Lyndon State College Students are no strangers to staying up all hours of the night on Adderall so they can study or complete a homework assignment. “It just helps me focus and get my work done,” one source said. “It just makes me want to do my homework.”
Though Adderall may seem like a miracle drug enabling students to party and study hard, there are many side affects that result from abusing the drug, such as nervousness, lack of appetite, depression, inability to sleep, dry mouth, and rapid heartbeat which can then lead to death or serious side effects on the heart.
When asked if they were worried about the side effects that Adderall can cause, it seemed that they already knew. One source said “Sometimes I get scared when my heart beats too fast. I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.”
“It is highly addictive. It made it so I didn’t want to eat. It was never hard to find a dealer. Most of the time it would come in a little capsule and if you break it there are little white beads inside. I would ingest it and 20 minutes later I got a big boost of energy,” said the 09 female.
“I think it is risky,” said Miriam Simon, a physician’s assistant. “Adderall is potentially dangerous and there is a great concern. There are many side effects including: heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, insomnia, and weight loss.”
Obtaining the drug is not necessarily that difficult; many times students are able to buy some pills from a person who has been prescribed the drug. According to a few different sources, the price of Adderall on campus can go anywhere from $3 to $9 a pill, depending on how much the person with the prescription wants to charge for it, which can be quite a lot, because they have the same customers coming back due to how addictive the drug is.
“When we prescribe the drug I have no control over diversion. We don’t know if it will be sold to other people,” Simon said.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Heating issues at LSC
By Josiah Stewart
Critic Staff
Tom Archer sheds some light on how LSC determines when to put the heat on.
The Heating in the resident halls has been a topic of interest for students living on campus this semester.
“We typically try and wait for three consecutive nights where the weather drops below 32 degrees before we turn the heat on,” Tom Archer, director of physical plant at Lyndon State College, said, “and it takes a little while to set that up, but usually we have it on around the first of October.
The heat in the resident halls was turned on Monday Oct. 6 and some students believe that it was about time.
“For the past two weeks, since it first started getting cold, I’ve had to use a sheet, a comforter, a fleece throw, and a heavy quilt,” Tori Loyer, a creative writing major and Bailey resident said.
When the heating system was first turned on there was an incident involving smoke that set off the fire alarms in Wheelock. The heat had not been turned on since the previous semester and the windows in the buildings had all been closed.
“The smoke was basically puffs of exhaust that got sucked back into the building and it was due to the extreme tightness of the building,” Archer said. “But the system does work and the alarms went off.”
The fire department was immediately called into action over the incident, and assessed the situation upon arrival. The fire department corroborated with Archer as to the cause of the smoke buildup, and agreed that it was most likely due to the buildup of “negative air” in Wheelock that was caused by the lack of circulation.
“We recently installed new windows and insulation in the dorms to try and make the rooms a bit more comfortable, and to help with the overall efficiency,” Archer said. “If students have a problem with the temperature in their rooms, if they are too hot, instead of opening a window, get your RHD, just opening a window is a terrible waste, and we have the tools to tweak the system.”
Archer mentioned that if students do have a problem with the heating in their rooms, whether it is too cold or too hot, that they need to go through Residential Life with any complaints, “I haven’t heard any so far,” Archer said.
According to Archer, the school burns approximately 220,000 gallons of fuel a year, “The rising prices for fuel are definitely affecting Lyndon State College,” Archer said. “We are shooting for a biomass plant, which involves woodchips and is very viable, and in the long run would probably save millions. I am open to an energy challenge here on campus, it’s time to walk the talk. Let’s cut our electric and heating costs. It’s going to take an effort, and everyone needs to do their part. I mean, the planet is suffering.”
Critic Staff
Tom Archer sheds some light on how LSC determines when to put the heat on.
The Heating in the resident halls has been a topic of interest for students living on campus this semester.
“We typically try and wait for three consecutive nights where the weather drops below 32 degrees before we turn the heat on,” Tom Archer, director of physical plant at Lyndon State College, said, “and it takes a little while to set that up, but usually we have it on around the first of October.
The heat in the resident halls was turned on Monday Oct. 6 and some students believe that it was about time.
“For the past two weeks, since it first started getting cold, I’ve had to use a sheet, a comforter, a fleece throw, and a heavy quilt,” Tori Loyer, a creative writing major and Bailey resident said.
When the heating system was first turned on there was an incident involving smoke that set off the fire alarms in Wheelock. The heat had not been turned on since the previous semester and the windows in the buildings had all been closed.
“The smoke was basically puffs of exhaust that got sucked back into the building and it was due to the extreme tightness of the building,” Archer said. “But the system does work and the alarms went off.”
The fire department was immediately called into action over the incident, and assessed the situation upon arrival. The fire department corroborated with Archer as to the cause of the smoke buildup, and agreed that it was most likely due to the buildup of “negative air” in Wheelock that was caused by the lack of circulation.
“We recently installed new windows and insulation in the dorms to try and make the rooms a bit more comfortable, and to help with the overall efficiency,” Archer said. “If students have a problem with the temperature in their rooms, if they are too hot, instead of opening a window, get your RHD, just opening a window is a terrible waste, and we have the tools to tweak the system.”
Archer mentioned that if students do have a problem with the heating in their rooms, whether it is too cold or too hot, that they need to go through Residential Life with any complaints, “I haven’t heard any so far,” Archer said.
According to Archer, the school burns approximately 220,000 gallons of fuel a year, “The rising prices for fuel are definitely affecting Lyndon State College,” Archer said. “We are shooting for a biomass plant, which involves woodchips and is very viable, and in the long run would probably save millions. I am open to an energy challenge here on campus, it’s time to walk the talk. Let’s cut our electric and heating costs. It’s going to take an effort, and everyone needs to do their part. I mean, the planet is suffering.”
Financial aid collapse
Derika Downing
Critic staff
Director of financial aid tells of how the national deficit affects student loans.
By now, just about everybody is familiar with the major economic crisis that has hit this country, but what effect has this problem had on student loans?
Tanya W. Bradley, LSC’s director of financial aid, says the national deficit has affected student loans in two ways.
“In places like Pennsylvania, their state agency stopped processing federal student loans,” Bradley said, “So schools have had to find other lenders or go to direct loans, like Stafford and Parent PLUS loans.” These loans “cut out the middle man,” i.e., the lenders and guarantee agencies.
“But that kind of national problem hasn’t really hit Vermont,” Bradley said, “Because VSAC [Vermont Student Assistance Corporation] has always been able to secure the funding for federal loan programs and alternative student loans.
“Because 90 percent of our loan volume is through VSAC, our students have at least been able to borrow through an entity that has the funding,” Bradley said.
“The other piece that has affected our students is that lenders have raised the criterion for the FICO (Fair Isaac & Co) credit scores, a measurement of financial strength,” Bradley said. “Many of our students have tried to use alternative loans in place of the parent loans because the parents have bad credit, and more of the loan burden falls on to the student.”
Because of these setbacks, the student seeking financial aid often needs a co-signer, “somebody who is credit-worthy and who promises to pay the loan if the student defaults [is unable to pay the loan within an allotted amount of time].” Finding a reliable co-signer is one of the biggest problems for students in need of financial aid. “There’s obviously a credit problem in this country,” Bradley said.
Critic staff
Director of financial aid tells of how the national deficit affects student loans.
By now, just about everybody is familiar with the major economic crisis that has hit this country, but what effect has this problem had on student loans?
Tanya W. Bradley, LSC’s director of financial aid, says the national deficit has affected student loans in two ways.
“In places like Pennsylvania, their state agency stopped processing federal student loans,” Bradley said, “So schools have had to find other lenders or go to direct loans, like Stafford and Parent PLUS loans.” These loans “cut out the middle man,” i.e., the lenders and guarantee agencies.
“But that kind of national problem hasn’t really hit Vermont,” Bradley said, “Because VSAC [Vermont Student Assistance Corporation] has always been able to secure the funding for federal loan programs and alternative student loans.
“Because 90 percent of our loan volume is through VSAC, our students have at least been able to borrow through an entity that has the funding,” Bradley said.
“The other piece that has affected our students is that lenders have raised the criterion for the FICO (Fair Isaac & Co) credit scores, a measurement of financial strength,” Bradley said. “Many of our students have tried to use alternative loans in place of the parent loans because the parents have bad credit, and more of the loan burden falls on to the student.”
Because of these setbacks, the student seeking financial aid often needs a co-signer, “somebody who is credit-worthy and who promises to pay the loan if the student defaults [is unable to pay the loan within an allotted amount of time].” Finding a reliable co-signer is one of the biggest problems for students in need of financial aid. “There’s obviously a credit problem in this country,” Bradley said.
National Debt and You Presentation
Ben Holbrook
Critic Editor
LSC professor holds youtube contest.
“The most important issue is that it matters to you.”
That is how David Plazek, professor of social science, opened his lecture on national debt to students gathered in the Alexander Twilight Theater. Plazek’s presentation dealt with the issues of having a large national debt and how it affects everybody.
“I got sent to D.C. and got all schooled up on the national debt,” Plazek said. For every new child, that child is immediately $175,000 in debt, Plazek said.
The U.S. “Spends more on defense than all the other countries in the world combined,” Plazek said.
Plazek explained the difference between a debt and a deficit. A deficit is an unbalanced budget due to greater expenditures and less revenue. A debt is an accumulation of deficits over time.
The nation’s debt especially effects college students because “You can’t have lower student interest rates on loans,” Plazek said.
In order to address the problem, Plazek is offering students the chance to compete for cash prizes in a YouTube video contest.
The contest requires students to make a video that addresses the issue of national debt in a creative way. It must also illustrate the problem clearly so that people understand what is going on, and offer solutions as to how to solve the issue.
“Power is about getting people or states to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do, Plazek said.”
First place winners receive $300, second place $150 and third place $50.
Plazek ended his lecture by challenging students to get involved because “Democracy only works if people are involved.”
Critic Editor
LSC professor holds youtube contest.
“The most important issue is that it matters to you.”
That is how David Plazek, professor of social science, opened his lecture on national debt to students gathered in the Alexander Twilight Theater. Plazek’s presentation dealt with the issues of having a large national debt and how it affects everybody.
“I got sent to D.C. and got all schooled up on the national debt,” Plazek said. For every new child, that child is immediately $175,000 in debt, Plazek said.
The U.S. “Spends more on defense than all the other countries in the world combined,” Plazek said.
Plazek explained the difference between a debt and a deficit. A deficit is an unbalanced budget due to greater expenditures and less revenue. A debt is an accumulation of deficits over time.
The nation’s debt especially effects college students because “You can’t have lower student interest rates on loans,” Plazek said.
In order to address the problem, Plazek is offering students the chance to compete for cash prizes in a YouTube video contest.
The contest requires students to make a video that addresses the issue of national debt in a creative way. It must also illustrate the problem clearly so that people understand what is going on, and offer solutions as to how to solve the issue.
“Power is about getting people or states to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do, Plazek said.”
First place winners receive $300, second place $150 and third place $50.
Plazek ended his lecture by challenging students to get involved because “Democracy only works if people are involved.”
Fountain shows recession
Eric Downing
Critic Staff
Budget cut causes pond to recede.
Where did the pond go?
Last week, students may have noticed something odd about the pond in front of Stevens Dining Hall.
Fountain pond, as it’s called because of the stream of water that shoots straight up in the middle of it, was looking a little low for a few weeks. The water level appeared to be approximately two feet below its normal depth.
“We’re trying to save town water,” Tom Archer, the director of physical plant, said.
In past years, the fountain had been filled continuously with water from the town. This year’s deficit forced LSC to look for budget cuts, and supplying the fountain constantly seemed like an obvious choice.
Currently, the fountain is on a monthly schedule to fill it. The fountain itself does not supply water to the pond, but actually just re-circulates the water already in the pond.
Fountain pond’s town water supply was turned off to “make sure we don’t have any major leaks,“ Archer said.
Archer cited evaporation as playing a key role in the fountain’s decline. Water shot into the air is much more likely to evaporate. The speed of the fountain’s drop might suggest that there are holes in the liner underneath the pond.
If the fabric is indeed leaking, Archer said that it would have to be dug up and replaced. Students who look forward to seeing the “ice sculpture” the fountain forms in the wintertime shouldn’t worry. Archer was positive that it would be seen again this winter, even if it may be a bit smaller. “It’s a nice nostalgia thing,” Archer said.
Critic Staff
Budget cut causes pond to recede.
Where did the pond go?
Last week, students may have noticed something odd about the pond in front of Stevens Dining Hall.
Fountain pond, as it’s called because of the stream of water that shoots straight up in the middle of it, was looking a little low for a few weeks. The water level appeared to be approximately two feet below its normal depth.
“We’re trying to save town water,” Tom Archer, the director of physical plant, said.
In past years, the fountain had been filled continuously with water from the town. This year’s deficit forced LSC to look for budget cuts, and supplying the fountain constantly seemed like an obvious choice.
Currently, the fountain is on a monthly schedule to fill it. The fountain itself does not supply water to the pond, but actually just re-circulates the water already in the pond.
Fountain pond’s town water supply was turned off to “make sure we don’t have any major leaks,“ Archer said.
Archer cited evaporation as playing a key role in the fountain’s decline. Water shot into the air is much more likely to evaporate. The speed of the fountain’s drop might suggest that there are holes in the liner underneath the pond.
If the fabric is indeed leaking, Archer said that it would have to be dug up and replaced. Students who look forward to seeing the “ice sculpture” the fountain forms in the wintertime shouldn’t worry. Archer was positive that it would be seen again this winter, even if it may be a bit smaller. “It’s a nice nostalgia thing,” Archer said.
Club Budgets
Aimee Lawton
Special to the Critic
Where the 94 dollar student activity fee goes.
If you ever wondered about how your $94 student activity fee is used, you need not wonder any longer.
This fee, paid by every LSC student at the beginning of each consecutive school year is used to fund the many clubs and organizations offered on campus. Each year, a student activity fee budget is developed, and smaller budgets for the clubs are developed from there.
Half of the overall budget goes to the Student Government Association (SGA), who distributes the money to themselves and the other clubs. The other half is given to the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to make bus trips, movies, guests, and their many other fun activities possible; both on and off campus.
You may now be asking yourself how a budget is determined for a club. Every year, each club makes specific requests for funding based on supplies and expenses that need to be paid for to keep them running. These requests are then reviewed by SGA representatives, and modified if necessary before the final budget is published.
Clubs are allowed to request additional money not specified within their budget if unforeseen expenses appear.
“Anyone can come to SGA meetings on Wednesday nights and request money,” President Andrew Chapin said, “You do not have to be part of a club, or a club that is published in the budget.”
There are four clubs that have been added to the SGA since the budget was published at the beginning of the year: Rotaract, Students for Global Change, Assist, and the Lyndon Strikers. Even though these clubs do not have a set budget, they are still allowed to request funding at the meetings.
Chapin said that they take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to this, there are also scenarios in which requests for funding are made by individuals on a personal basis if they plan to host an event or activity that could benefit others on campus. The money for these requests comes from a general fund containing money left over after budgets have been completed.
Of course, fundraising is always an option as well. All clubs are given several opportunities to host and participate in various fundraising events both on and off campus to earn their own money. Some clubs are also required to pay dues, which are used to pay for other things not listed within their budget.
“As far as club membership goes, we do not have exact numbers for you yet,” Chapin said, “We are currently in the process of collecting this information.”
Chapin said that it is tough to obtain membership information at this point in the year because some clubs are seasonal, such as High Society, and have not yet kicked in to action. Since the budgets for clubs are developed before membership is counted, it is evident that the money is not distributed based on a membership ratio.
There are 23 clubs published in the budget for the current school year. The projected budget totaled $200,000.00, while the requested budget totaled $211,852.21. Aside from CAB and SGA, clubs such as hockey and AMS are receiving some of the greatest funding, while clubs such as RPC and LPC are receiving little to no funding at all.
Special to the Critic
Where the 94 dollar student activity fee goes.
If you ever wondered about how your $94 student activity fee is used, you need not wonder any longer.
This fee, paid by every LSC student at the beginning of each consecutive school year is used to fund the many clubs and organizations offered on campus. Each year, a student activity fee budget is developed, and smaller budgets for the clubs are developed from there.
Half of the overall budget goes to the Student Government Association (SGA), who distributes the money to themselves and the other clubs. The other half is given to the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to make bus trips, movies, guests, and their many other fun activities possible; both on and off campus.
You may now be asking yourself how a budget is determined for a club. Every year, each club makes specific requests for funding based on supplies and expenses that need to be paid for to keep them running. These requests are then reviewed by SGA representatives, and modified if necessary before the final budget is published.
Clubs are allowed to request additional money not specified within their budget if unforeseen expenses appear.
“Anyone can come to SGA meetings on Wednesday nights and request money,” President Andrew Chapin said, “You do not have to be part of a club, or a club that is published in the budget.”
There are four clubs that have been added to the SGA since the budget was published at the beginning of the year: Rotaract, Students for Global Change, Assist, and the Lyndon Strikers. Even though these clubs do not have a set budget, they are still allowed to request funding at the meetings.
Chapin said that they take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to this, there are also scenarios in which requests for funding are made by individuals on a personal basis if they plan to host an event or activity that could benefit others on campus. The money for these requests comes from a general fund containing money left over after budgets have been completed.
Of course, fundraising is always an option as well. All clubs are given several opportunities to host and participate in various fundraising events both on and off campus to earn their own money. Some clubs are also required to pay dues, which are used to pay for other things not listed within their budget.
“As far as club membership goes, we do not have exact numbers for you yet,” Chapin said, “We are currently in the process of collecting this information.”
Chapin said that it is tough to obtain membership information at this point in the year because some clubs are seasonal, such as High Society, and have not yet kicked in to action. Since the budgets for clubs are developed before membership is counted, it is evident that the money is not distributed based on a membership ratio.
There are 23 clubs published in the budget for the current school year. The projected budget totaled $200,000.00, while the requested budget totaled $211,852.21. Aside from CAB and SGA, clubs such as hockey and AMS are receiving some of the greatest funding, while clubs such as RPC and LPC are receiving little to no funding at all.
LSC Hockey
Sebastion C. Lury
Special to the Critic
Club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The Lyndon State Hockey Club is preparing to begin their 2008 campaign.
Though Lyndon State does not have a varsity hockey team, the college does have a hockey club that plays roughly 20 games per year. According to head coach Jonathan Davis, the team will play around 22 games this season.
The club is in the New England College Hockey Association Division II, a subset of the American College Hockey Association.
The club is primarily funded through the Student Government Association due to its non-varsity status. Davis says the club is “extremely appreciative” of all the support they receive from the SGA.
L
SC hockey will take place in the Fenton W. Chester Arena, down the hill from the college. However, before beginning play there, the club has been traveling to Stanstead, Canada to practice and play scrimmages.
The reason for this is that the Fenton W. Chester Arena only has ice seasonally. The team will be moving from Canada to the Fenton W. Chester Arena beginning the week of Oct. 13.
The regular season begins on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Thompson Arena in Hanover, NH, as the LSC club matches up against the Dartmouth College Club team. LSC Hockey opens at home on Halloween, Oct. 31, against Daniel Webster. Davis says that if the club had any true rival, Daniel Webster would be it.
The club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The previous three years, the club has been unsuccessful in advancing past the first round of the playoffs and hopes to reverse that trend this year.
The club does not consist only of players, but also include statisticians, announcers, first responders, and a variety of other positions. Also, players don’t have to compete in games, but can join for the fun of hockey practice and scrimmages.
It is not too late to join the club, according to Davis. Davis recommends that those interested contact him via email, Jonathan.Davis@lsc.vsc.edu, or by phone 626-6419.
Davis is encouraged by the progress of returning players as well as the addition of new players and says that LSC will have a “great team this year.” He also encourages students to continuously check the schedule at www.lyndonstate.edu/hockey.
There is no charge to LSC students for home games.
Special to the Critic
Club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The Lyndon State Hockey Club is preparing to begin their 2008 campaign.
Though Lyndon State does not have a varsity hockey team, the college does have a hockey club that plays roughly 20 games per year. According to head coach Jonathan Davis, the team will play around 22 games this season.
The club is in the New England College Hockey Association Division II, a subset of the American College Hockey Association.
The club is primarily funded through the Student Government Association due to its non-varsity status. Davis says the club is “extremely appreciative” of all the support they receive from the SGA.
L
SC hockey will take place in the Fenton W. Chester Arena, down the hill from the college. However, before beginning play there, the club has been traveling to Stanstead, Canada to practice and play scrimmages.
The reason for this is that the Fenton W. Chester Arena only has ice seasonally. The team will be moving from Canada to the Fenton W. Chester Arena beginning the week of Oct. 13.
The regular season begins on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Thompson Arena in Hanover, NH, as the LSC club matches up against the Dartmouth College Club team. LSC Hockey opens at home on Halloween, Oct. 31, against Daniel Webster. Davis says that if the club had any true rival, Daniel Webster would be it.
The club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The previous three years, the club has been unsuccessful in advancing past the first round of the playoffs and hopes to reverse that trend this year.
The club does not consist only of players, but also include statisticians, announcers, first responders, and a variety of other positions. Also, players don’t have to compete in games, but can join for the fun of hockey practice and scrimmages.
It is not too late to join the club, according to Davis. Davis recommends that those interested contact him via email, Jonathan.Davis@lsc.vsc.edu, or by phone 626-6419.
Davis is encouraged by the progress of returning players as well as the addition of new players and says that LSC will have a “great team this year.” He also encourages students to continuously check the schedule at www.lyndonstate.edu/hockey.
There is no charge to LSC students for home games.
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