News: The First Word
Cost of U.S. college education too great for some Indian families
21 postings
205 page views
Cost of U.S. college education too great for Indian families
11/6/08 7:56 PM
A recent article highlighted the hefty costs Indian parents face sending their students to study abroad as the value of the United States dollar strengthens against the rupee — India's basic monetary unit. According to the Business Standard, USC hosts the largest number of international students in the U.S. India, China and Canada are among the most represented countries at USC, according to USC's 2008 freshman class profile. The article says "Asia sends the most students to the U.S., accounting for 49 percent of total U.S. international enrollments." The U.S. is the most popular international destination for Indian students. As tuition fees shoot up and the rupee's value diminishes, parents might consider sending their...Study finds younger drivers less affected by stress
10/29/08 1:46 AM
A recent USC study found that older drivers are more likely to be affected by stress than younger drivers. The USC study, which will be published in the Psychological Science journal examines how stress affects decision making. The study, led by Mara Mather of the USC Davis School of Gerontology, found that older (65-89) adults change their behavior more than young adults (18-33) when under stress, especially when risk is involved. In the study, participants were exposed to a stressful event: holding a hand in ice-cold water for three minutes. They were then asked to play a driving game. Participants started at a green light and were awarded points for every second spent driving during a yellow light. But they lost points if the light turned red while driving. The length of time...USC to offer bachelor of music degree in pop music perfomance
10/23/08 2:09 AM
Given that Los Angeles is the epicenter of the entertainment industry and USC is home to celebrities and wannabe celebrities alike, it may not come as a huge surprise that USC will be the first major university to offer a bachelor of music degree in pop music performance. The Los Angeles Times reported that the USC Thornton School of Music will offer the degree next year to instrumentalists and singers interested in popular music genres such as rock, country and R&B. While the decision might upset music purists, it is a much-needed and realistic break from the traditional notion that music students should study either classical music or jazz, especially during a time when it’s the American Idols, Miley Cyruses and Jonas Brothers of the world who are ruling the music charts....Troy locks changed after security guard loses keys
10/22/08 12:36 AM
Residents of the Troy apartments turned in their room keys and received new ones after the locks on all doors were changed in their complex last week.
In an email sent out to the residents, the Troy CSC said the lock system is receiving an upgrade in order to “be more secure and prevent unauthorized access.”
According to DPS Captain David Carlisle the Troy CSC decided to change the locks because one of the security guards lost his key ring which held the keys to most of the apartments. The outdoor locks were changed and more security guards were posted at night in order to increase security until the locks could be changed.
-Jessica Poitevien
Professor publishes book with songs, meditations for Progressive Christians
10/22/08 12:36 AM
A new book published by a USC faculty member offers songs and meditations for Progressive Christians. Jim Burklo, USC associate dean of religious life, has written a book called “Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers and Songs for Progressive Christians.” In his new book, he adds stanzas about Buddha and Gandhi to the spiritual “Old Time Religion.” He discusses why the rock group U2 is often criticized by conservative Christians. Burklo believes that religion doesn’t have to be divisive. He calls himself a Progressive Christian and said of his faith, “My faith may not be as true for others as it is for me. A Progressive Christian doesn’t claim superiority over other faiths.” He sees this mentality in college students who...
