2016 – Page 5 – Teen Observer Archive

July 9, 2016July 11, 2016

Students stress over debt

AU Weber — Rebecca Weber, 27, an American University graduate student, reads at the campus Starbucks. Photo Credit Sami Pye.

Liz Hexler, 18, a rising sophomore at American University, shook her head as she contemplated the idea of transferring to a more affordable college.

“I already am getting a large scholarship, but it still is not feasible for me to be at American University for more than two years,” said Hexler, of Chicago.

She came with the hopes to succeed in the international relations program, but has been left angered by what she sees as excessive fees and tuition.

With college prices on the rise and more and more people applying, students are struggling to repay loans. Currently, U.S. graduates and students owe $1.2 trillion in student debt, according to debt.org.

Every second, $3,000 in student debt is acquired, and the average debt for the U.S. graduate student is $33,000, according to debt.org. In 2014, the average amount of debt at graduation rose 56 percent, from $18,550 to $28,950, according to the Institute for College Access and Success.

Joanna Sobieski, 24, a 2015 American University graduate, and Alex Mazzarisi, 22, who graduated the school in May, both supported the idea of going to community college for the first two years and then transferring to a more expensive.

“I worked three jobs, so I didn’t have the typical college experience,” Sobieski said.

Sobieski had to work numerous jobs to keep up with with all of the expenses that come with attending American, where the average annual cost is around $60,000, according to American University’s website.

After graduation, Sobieski worked abroad for a year with a very low-paying job, so she was able to postpone the loan, but now she is very stressed as to how she will repay the loan. In order to repay, she plans to work a 9-to-5 job and work retail or waitress on the side.

Rebecca Weber, 27, an American University graduate student, said when she finishes her master’s degree in international affairs, she’ll have more than $100,000 in loan debt.

“I’m not going to live where I want to live or be at the same level of comfort,” Weber said.

Others, like Mike Limarzi, 33, did not see student loans as a huge obstacle.

“They do impact, but not disastrously,” Limarzi said.

Limarzi graduated from Georgetown University, a private school in Washington, D.C., in 2004. While student debt wasn’t a struggle for him, he still pays his wife’s $500 monthly student loan.

“We have an amount to pay, and we try to pay over it each month so we finish fast,” Limarzi said. “We know how to budget.”

Sitting on a bench outside the American University library where she works, Tara Barnett, 28, explained what helped her the most with student debt after graduating from Reed College in 2009.

“I had a lot of financial aid,” Barnett said. “Without it, I couldn’t have gone.”

For many, grants and loans are the major forms of federal financial aid for undergraduate students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 1.9 million students receive financial aid each year. For some, it’s the only way to afford college.

“My boyfriend goes to school in Denmark,” Mazzarisi said. “He didn’t come from a well-off family, but he is still able to go to one of the best colleges in his country because it is free. He also gets paid $800 to attend.

“The U.S. can maybe learn something from that,” she continued.

July 7, 2016

Metro closures stir emotions but some see the need

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has begun its

District visitors and residents deal with Metro's summer fixes. Photo credit Claire Choi. — District visitors and residents deal with Metro’s summer fixes. Photo credit Claire Choi.

SafeTrack project, an undertaking that has raised much discontent among Washington, D.C. residents.

“The early closures are kind of annoying,” said Elizabeth Moyer, 23. “The Metro used to be a really reliable way to get home if you stayed out past midnight, but now it’s not. And that’s really unfortunate, and kind of dangerous too for people who live in the city.”

Nevertheless, while close to half of those interviewed stated that they found SafeTrack to be an inconvenience, they also noted that they considered it a necessary one.

“It’s hard. I feel like it’s unfortunate that they had to choose a time now to inconvenience citizens of the region, but it’s probably something that’s necessary given all of the problems they’ve been having, and the fires and other issues they’ve been having,” said 59-year-old Raymond McGhee.

“It has to be fixed, and I guess it’s a necessary evil.”

The primary aim of SafeTrack is to carry out technical renovations on all six of the system’s Metro lines through the use of relatively minor measures such as early weekend closures and more intensive “Safety Surges,” extended periods of focused repairs on specific lines that last from as little as one week to as long as six. The Metro is currently undergoing its third of 15 intended surges, an effort that has impacted both the yellow and blue lines and which will continue through to July 11, according to a plan released in May by the WMATA.

The first few Safety Surges, in combination with the newly implemented maintenance measures, have been responsible for increased delays and temporary line closures across the Washington metropolitan area, causing many interviewees to voice dissatisfaction over the project and only two of the 10 to express enthusiasm.

While some individuals criticized the administration for their failure to properly maintain the Metrorail system, McGhee took a different standpoint on the matter.

“I don’t want to kick them while they’re down,” he said. “This is an embarrassing set of circumstances, but it’s clear that the management and the Metro in the past hasn’t done well.”

In addition to the SafeTrack project, individuals also shared other criticisms that they had of the district’s public transit system. A few individuals expressed concerns over the price of Metro and bus fare, stating that they considered it to be too expensive.

Scott Wheeler, 46, who was visiting from Dallas with his family of four, said that he at times found it cheaper for his family to call an Uber than to take the Metro.

“We definitely make a decision on if we should go hop on the Metro based upon the price,” Wheeler said.

Colin Rice, 28, shared similar concerns, stating, “I think the Metro’s a little expensive. I used to work out in Rockville and I would drive instead of take the Metro because gas was cheaper.”

Nevertheless, half of those interviewed considered the prices to be relatively reasonable, voicing other grievances such as issues with communication, overcrowding and a need for a greater police presence.

When asked for their overall opinion of the District’s current state of public transportation, however, five of the 10 individuals expressed praise, two said it was satisfactory but could still be improved, and only three voiced a strong sense of dissatisfaction.

“I love it,” said Jennie Ganz, 50, “I love the bus, and I think it’s excellent. The drivers are very safe and they’re very friendly and courteous, and I think it’s perfect.”

July 7, 2016

SafeTrack forcing commuters to take alternative routes

The ongoing SafeTrack project is forcing commuters to take alternative routes due to certain lines being closed for safety repairs each week from early June 2016 to mid-March 2017.

People searching for alternatives to Metro during this summer's SafeTrack. Photo credit Claire Choi. — People searching for alternatives to Metro during this summer’s SafeTrack. Photo credit Claire Choi.

The Metro rail had previously had many problems, including fires. It got to the point where a whole website, IsMetroOnFire.com, with a Twitter page to match, was dedicated to letting commuters know if there is a fire and what line it’s on.

On a routine check, there were 27 power problems found in three sections of the Metro, so badly damaged that the cars should not have been driving through in the first place. As of March 2016, there have been 24 fire incidents and 24 smoke incidents.

“It’s probably something that’s necessary, given all of the problems it’s been having with the fires and other issues,” said Raymond McGhee, 59, who decided to drive to avoid taking the metro. “It has to be fixed, so I guess it’s a necessary evil. They need to do it now and that’s going to be an inconvenience for people who ride it.”

The plan is to accelerate three years of work into one year, causing the lines to be shut down for longer and at different times to make this possible. The Metro was closed for around 33 out of 168 hours every week, but the crews are starting at 8 p.m. during the week, allowing two extra hours every day, and closing at midnight during the weekend, allowing six extra hours every week for proper maintenance.

Individual stations or groups of stations are being closed for repairs top allow faster, safer work and fewer delays for the trains and lines out of the zones. Commuters are being asked to try different modes of transportation and to avoid traveling during rush hours. Safety surges, where lines will be closed and replaced with buses, could happen up to three times a month on up to three different lines at a time. Up to 40 free shuttle buses are being provided at the closed lines.

“The early closures are kind of annoying,” said Elizabeth Moyer, 23. “The metros used to be a really reliable way to get home if you stay up past midnight, so that’s really unfortunate and kind of dangerous, too, for people who live in the city.”

July 7, 2016

Metrorail mistakes managed

District visitors and residents turning to Metrobus as an alternative during summer fixes. Photo credit Amelia Cook.

Residents and tourists gave their opinions about their preferred form of public transportation to replace the Metrorail during the city’s major repair period this summer.

The city Metro lines need three years of work but transportation officials are trying to squeeze it in one year. To complete the work, they’ve created what is known as the SafeTrack system. This is where they shut down certain lines of the Metro for days or weeks at a time to repair the systems.

“In a pinch I don’t want to rely on the Metro,” said Raymond McGhee, 59.

McGhee was just one of 10 people interviewed that reacted to the way the Metrorail was being repaired. Approximately eight out of 10 people interviewed were disappointed in the length of time it took the city to start repairs and the method of which the repairs are being made. But, with Metro facing repair, residents are finding different methods of transportation.

The Metrobus is a popular alternative to the Metrorail. The Metrobus and Metrorail offer the same form of payment by SmarTrip® card. The Metrobus has more stops and detours, but four out of 10 people said they prefer the Metrobus during the Metrorail repair season.

“I love the bus. I think it’s excellent,” said Jennie Ganz, 50. Ganz preferred the Metrobus, because of her fear of the Metrorail.

Scott Wheeler, 46, on vacation in the district was worried he’d miss the flight back home to Dallas.

“Maybe we should take Uber,” said Wheeler.

Matthew Fries, 24, has been avoiding the Metrorail for years now due to the need of repairs. Fries drives into the city, walks, and uses the Metrobus. Fries was angry at the way the city pushed the repairs off for so long. He boycotted the Metrorail.

“Sitting in a train you don’t have any control,” said Fries.

Elizabeth Moyer, 23, has continued using the Metrorail though the Metrorail’s delays and early closings force a call too a friend or a taxi when out during the SafeTrack system’s Safety Surges. Safety Surges cause complete shut downs of certain Metrorail lines, which are scheduled to happen after midnight during the weekends and during the day on weekdays.

“The Metro used to be a really reliable way to get home if you stayed out past midnight but now its not,” said Moyer.

July 7, 2016

Immigration major election issue

Independence Day is a huge celebration in Washington, D.C. but just how much do local residents know about what it takes to become a citizen here?

In the Tenleytown neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C., American citizens were asked a series of questions sampled from the one that immigrants seeking citizenship would have to pass.

Matt Garvey, 65, who walked with his wife on Tuesday through the neighborhood and said he studied law, answered questions like, “What ocean borders the west coast of the United States?” Garvey joked the answer was the Adriatic Sea, but ultimately answered all 12 questions correctly.

For educated U.S. citizens like Garvey, the questions may seem easy. But for many immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship, the test is a hurdle in an election season where immigration policy has been front and center for politicians and voters alike.

Powerful political voices like Hillary Clinton believe that this system is outdated and ineffective, “If we claim we are for family, then we have to pull together and resolve the outstanding issues around our broken immigration system,” she said, seen on her campaign website.

The presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump disagrees with Clinton, saying on his website children born to illegal immigrants should not automatically get citizenship status.

Those who are seeking citizenship must pass the United States citizenship test.

First, one must apply for a green card which can prove to be a lengthy process. This grants them permanent residency so long as they don’t violate the law. Green cards are categorized into different types, and a very limited amount from each category are given out yearly.

Once an immigrant receives a green card, they must wait at least five years to gain “permanent resident” status. Once they acquire this status they are eligible to apply for naturalization.

The application process can take at least six months, but it usually spans to a year or more according to the American Immigration Center.

“There’s obviously reform to be made, but you have to be careful about immigration,” said Tom Merrill, 42.

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016

People rethink perspective on traveling after Istanbul terrorist attack

As terrorist attacks continue to strike countries in Europe like in Istanbul, individuals contemplate their views on travelling. Photo credits of commons.wikimedia.org — Individuals contemplate their views on traveling, as terrorist attacks continue to strike Turkey and other European countries.
Photo credits of commons.wikimedia.org

WASHINGTON–People in the D.C. community took a new, defiant outlook on traveling this summer as they lamented the outcomes of the terrorist attack in Istanbul’s main airport in June.

Among a series of deadly attacks in Turkey, this recent act of terror killed 41 people, with hundreds severely injured. This attack in Turkey’s capitol was not an isolated incident, however. Terrorist attacks have hit Europe this past year, causing numerous deaths, heightening security and leaving tourists questioning the safety of their travels.

“I’m confused, frustrated and irritated. I feel that it is the same old narrative that we’ve been dealing with,” Rafiat Animashaum, a 21-year-old American University student, said. “It just doesn’t change.”

According to the National Counterterrorism Center, roughly 1 in 20 million people will be killed in a foreign terrorist attack. This means that there is actually a higher chance of being struck by lightning, getting in a car accident or drowning in a bathtub, than there is of dying in an attack.

“It’s an awful ordeal and really tragic for all of humanity,” Lexon Keet, 17, said. Even though he’s not flying this summer, Keet believes the chances of dying in an attack are very low.

Although fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time is always present, people feel that this shouldn’t hold someone back from traveling.

“No matter where you go it’s dangerous. Some places are more than others, but that’s not going to stop me from traveling,” Animashaum said. “I’m not going to live in a bubble.”

Emmy Liederman, 16, was in Spain for a vacation during this attack in Istanbul. “I don’t think we were necessarily concerned for our own safety for too long. I wasn’t afraid to travel to Europe just as I’m not afraid to walk the streets of NYC, even though in both places countless tragedies occur,” she said.

“Unfortunately, these events are no longer surprising,” Liederman said. “People can’t live their lives in fear, but we also can’t just sit back and just accept the fact that we live in a violent world.”

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016

What year was the Declaration of Independence signed? Spoiler alert: 1776.

Even though someone may be a U.S. citizen, that doesn’t always mean they know the complete history of their country.

Some residents and visitors to Washington, D.C. had a tough time answering questions from the citizenship test given to immigrants.

When asked why we celebrate July Fourth Ricky Monroe, 55, said, “Was there a war or something?”

Monroe also did not know what year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Spoiler alert: 1776.

In order for a foreigner to gain U.S. citizenship, he or she must show an understanding of the English language, speak in English clearly, and demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history. Of those who took the test in 2015, 91 percent passed.

Matt Garvey, 65, answered the practice citizenship questions like: name a war fought in the 1900s, where is the Statue of Liberty located or what ocean is on the West Coast. Others included: when was the Constitution written and how many members does the House of Representatives have.

Even though most people interviewed this week found little challenge with the test, when asked the question “what does the 4th of July celebrate” many were unsure.

Megan Kane, 59, said, “Did we sign something?”

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016

Metro shutdown impacting users

With the implementation of SafeTrack on the Metro not expected to be completed until March 2017, the shut downs and delays are creating issues for D.C. and metro area commuters.

SafeTrack’s goal is to complete three years of construction in under a year to update the safety of the 40-year-old Metro system, the nation’s third largest. But that doesn’t mean the work isn’t causing headaches for commuters.

Jill Konek, a Graduate Program Specialist at the School of Communication at American University, has had a difficult experience with Metro complications this summer.

“Unfortunately, between SafeTrack shutdowns and the fact that some parts of the metro are just broken, my commute has doubled in time and I have had to switch my work schedule around the shutdowns,” Konek said.

Some Metro lines will be closed for periods of time and buses will replace trains. In addition, Metro rails will close at midnight on Friday and Saturday and construction is running during mid-day and after rush hour.

Joseph Lockett, 42, is facing similar inconveniences.

“The Metro is always breaking down. It is always slowing down. It has become a huge inconvenience for me and my ability to get to work,” said Lockett, a frequent Metro user.

Stephen Pienciak, a information staffer at American University, found the most challenging part about the Metro shutdowns is having to find another mode of transportation.

“I typically just ride the Red Line which won’t be a problem until August, but the toughest part is that because the Metro closes at midnight on the weekends I will have to find another way home,” Pienciak said noting an increased cost.

Metro rides cost anywhere from $2 to $6 but a taxi or Uber from American University to the National Mall ranges from $12 to $50 depending on traffic and type of car. For some, the burden is financial.

Hannah Curtis, 16, a Northern Virginia resident, frequently uses the Metro to visit the district for leisure.

“It is a lot easier and cheaper to take the Metro than have the stress of driving into the city and trying to find parking, but with all of the new construction on the Metro, I never know which line is closed or if I can even use it to get into D.C.,” Curtis said.

Although Curtis had her share of disappointment, she understood the need for improved safety measures.

Metro users speak of frustration over shutdowns. Photo by Shujen Chang (CC BY-SA 3.0)

“Despite the negative consequences of the Metro shutdowns, I think it is definitely important to put safety first and convenience second,” Curtis said.

July 7, 2016

Despite urban area, AU students and staff feel safe

Emergency blue light towers stand throughout American University Northwest Washington, D.C. campus and offer an extra l

An American University staffer walks by an emergency tower on campus. Photo credit Jordyn Fields.

ayer of safety and protection, but many interviewed on campus this month said they feel completely safe.

“I think on certain campuses safety is an issue but not here,” said 20-year-old Cristina Tejada, sitting at the campus Starbucks. “I feel safe on AU’s campus.”

Almost a dozen students and staff this week said crime is not one of their major concerns at American University. But nationwide, in 2014, 50,000 criminal offenses took place on college campuses, according to the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Crimes at American University’s campus have ranged from bike theft and burglary to alcohol violations and aggravated assault, according to the Public Safety website.

Incoming college first-year students at American are given tips and guidelines about staying safe in college. Tips include using the “buddy system,” getting home early, and knowing where those blue emergency towers are.

“It’s better to start with the individual because there’s such a good campus security presence,” said Denise Paolella, who works at American.

Campus police patrol cars circle campus.The school also offers a self defense class.

“I didn’t have a lot of concerns about campus safety,” said 42-year-old Joy Adams, who now works on campus. While she was a college student in Texas she said, “I was mindful of my environment by making sure I didn’t walk in dark place on my own.”

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016

Fourth of July offers fun, but plenty of risks

Picnics, family reunions and BBQs are great ways to celebrate July 4, but the holiday carries the label of the most dangerous of the year, according to the National Safety Council.

Additionally, celebrations in big cities like Washington, D.C. strike fear into many tourists and residents in the wake of such high-profile terrorism incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013. The National Park Service on Fourth of July at the National Mall increased security screenings before allowing visitors inside.

“I haven’t felt as safe at big events like the celebration on the Mall recently as I have in the past considering what’s been happening worldwide,” said Katie Lenz, 24.

Even with what some see as a threat at major events like the National Mall Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and drunk driving over the holiday weekend are major threats, according National Safety Council.

In 2015, the National Safety Council estimated 409 traffic-related deaths and over 49,000 traffic-related injuries requiring medical attention over the holiday weekend.

The National Safety Council recommends drivers buckle up, reduce speed, refrain from cell phone use, keep small children in the back seat and avoid driving after drinking.

“During the 4th of July, I try to stay off the roads because I know how many accidents are gonna happen that night,” said Marisa Calderon, a 35-year-old mother of two.

Driving isn’t the only risk.

Over the July Fourth holiday, an average of 230 people every day will visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Almost one third of those injuries are to hands and fingers, but the Commission reported serious burns and eye injuries also happen.