As the semester draws to a close, there is one common characteristic affecting many people on campus: lack of money.
Whether it be buying books for summer classes, putting that deposit down for next year's lease or buying that special beverage to celebrate that last class for the year, the money just isn't there.
This problem is especially evident this year, as the economic status of our state has created a rather disturbing unique feature for us. Indiana has seven times the amount of layoffs of any other state in the nation right now. That's not good news for those of us looking for a summer job and even worse for all those graduating seniors.
Not only is it difficult to find a job to keep caught up on all those bills, the bill collectors aren't being sympathetic to the times either. In fact, we need look no farther than our own university to see increases in tuition and an array of other new expenses to "buy" that nice diploma with which we all want to walk away.
Without sounding too accusatory, I can understand that universities all across the state are dealing with the same issues that we as individuals are facing, but that doesn't make dealing with it any better.
However, with all the fees I seem to be paying, I seem to be pulling at my collar more than usual. And since when does Parking Services have the right to freeze transcripts and a person's ability to sign up for classes for one lousy parking ticket? It is like Ball State's own little mob, and they clearly know that they're in charge.
So, here's a scenario for you all to contemplate: Suppose you have a parking ticket you need to pay in order to get the classes you want for next year, but you do not have any money to pay for it right now. Because options are limited, you decide you'll sell back a few books you figure you can live without to get some cash.
Selling the books back is a great way to get that cash, assuming your professor has turned in the order for the book again next year. But odds being what they are, that isn't likely to have happened yet or the book is so old it won't be used again.
As your blood pressure rises, you walk out with a red face and head toward the Scramble Light where some organization is pleading to you for any spare change you might have. At this point, the only thing you can think about as your eyes gaze upon the cup filled with dollar bills and silver coins is whether or not you can run faster than the person holding the cup if you were to take it from them.
Unfortunately, there isn't going to be a quick fix to the lack of money in our wallets, but it will improve. In fact, there are signs that things are returning to normal in other parts of the country, so we can expect it to hit Indiana about one year after it reaches every other corner of the nation.
Have faith, my friends, that come election time when we elect our new governor the current crisis won't be forgotten. I could point my finger at who I think is at the cause of all the "evil" that has fallen over our great state, but that won't fix anything, so I will contain myself.
Write to Justin at jtsyndram@bsu.edu
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