trojan
Volume XCIV, Number 41
University of Southern California
Wednesday, November 2, 1983
Student aid not affected by cuts
By Mark Lowe
Assistant Gtv Editor
Despite decreases in some proposed federal financial aid programs to college students, the university will meet the finandal needs of its students next year, though it will have to scrounge for every dollar.
'It's not dismal," said Fred Hessinger, director of financial aid. "We are neither elated nor are we particularly despondent. It's a predicted outcome. We anticipated this outcome."
Last week, a House / Senate conference committee passed legislation setting the amounts the Department of Education can give out for student financial aid for fiscal 1984. President Reagan is expected to sign the bill.
Though funds for some programs—such as the National Direct Student Loans (NDSL)—declined, others—notably the Pell Grants—increased, making the total amount of money available for the 1983-84 academic year roughly equal to amounts in previous years, Hessinger said.
But because university costs, including tuition, are increasing while enrollment is staying fairly constant, the university will have to search hard for its own financial aid dollars to meet the needs of eligible students.
"It would not be a surprise if the institution would not have to offer a modest increase in the amount of money to the already extensive student aid funds," Hessinger said.
He said, though, that the university already has a "strong base" of financial support for students, and that the university "should have equal to or better financial aid packages for students next year."
Hessinger also said students will not have to worry about receiving financial aid next year, saying the university will be able to meet the needs of eligible students as it has in the past.
Probably the most significant change in the federal financial aid
(Continued on page 9)
Campus maps
New signs and directories will soon help anyone lost
By Lawrence Toffler
Staff Writer
To assist confused newcomers, guide lost visitors and cohere the fragmented look and feel of the school, the university will erect new directories and signs throughout the campus.
"(We have created) a complete comprehensive graphics package," said Thomas Coffin, director of architectural services. "We're trying to clean up the potpourri of signs that you can see all over the campus. It's part of the overall beautification process of the university."
The package includes signs identifying street names, buildings, tram stops, and access areas for the physically handicapped. The plan also calls for "you are here" maps and any other signs that are needed on the campus. Every one of the signs will conform to a standardized pattern.
In addition to the signs, however, the university will construct concrete blocks, like the one at the 35th Street and Figueroa entrance, at all the large entrances of the school.
These concrete cubes, bearing the appropriate gate number, will complement the existing "University of Southern California" signs that already stand at these entrances.
"(Ultimately we want) every sign on campus to tie into the graphics package," said Coffin.
For now the university will have to settle for the five or six sample signs which will be placed at various frequently trafficked areas of the campus.
The package was designed by architectural services and A. Quincey Jones & Associates, the same firm that designed the new cinema complex and much of the new university mall. They submitted
coming soon
the entire proposal to the Board of Trustees' Campus Planning Committee, which responded favorably, but which wanted to see a few samples in appropriate places.
The prototypes, which should be ready in six to eight weeks, will include a "you are here" map at the admissions building and an access sign for the handicapped at the physical education building wheelchair ramp.
Jon Strauss, senior vice president for administration, said the university will eventually have a full set of standardized signs, but added that the committee wanted to see the representative signs in place before approving the complete package.
"The idea of consistent signs they find very attractive," said Strauss. "Something's going to happen. It's just a question of when."
He added, "We intend, at the bare minimum, to put the maps at all of the major pedestrian entrances. (We also intend to construct) the building identification signs. As for the rest of the signs, it’s just a function of cost."
All of the signs will be funded within the university budget.
Said Strauss, "We're deeding with a fairly modest cost that should be covered by the regular physical plant budget."
The signs will be constructed with materials that should discourage vandalism. They will be built with a thick sturdy plastic and reinforced bronze frames.
"They will be as protected as possible," said Coffin.
The idea for the construction of the signs grew naturally from the work already being done on campus.
Strauss said he would like to see the signs on campus in time for visitors at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, but added that the Olympics are not the motivating force behind the construction.
The annual invasion of San Francisco by university students this weekend culminated Saturday with a pep rally in Union Square.
JERRY HOLDEN/DAILY TROJAN