Brown and White Vol. 117 no. 9

              By LAURA QUAGLIARIELLO
Police are investigating a burglary that took place at the Theta Chi frater­nity house during the early morning hours of Sept. 18. More than $1000 was stolen from brothers’ rooms.
The suspect presumably entered through the unlocked front door and proceeded into a few unlocked rooms, brothers said.
The brothers assumed that the sus­pect entered and walked through the foyer because the rooms burglarized were all near the foyer. There were no signs of a forced entry.
Theta Chi President Todd Dobry, ’10, said he believes the door was left unlocked after a brother went out for a late-night cigarette.
“Someone makes the simple mis­take of leaving a door opened or unlocked and stuff like this happens,” Dobry said.
In the morning, brothers realized that their rooms had been burglarized.
Their drawers were open, belong­ings from their desks were strewn across the floor and wallets were left open with cash and credit cards miss­ing, brothers said.
None of the brothers saw or heard the suspect. They were all asleep in their rooms when the burglary occurred.
See THETA CHI Page 5
Burglar takes more than $1000 from Theta Chi
By LAUREN LIPSHUTZ
The United States House of Represen­tatives voted in favor of President Barack Obama’s plan to boost college aid pro­grams and increase Pell Grants to provide greater amounts of financial aid for college students nationwide on Sept. 17, according to an Associated Press article released on that day.
Created in the 1960s, college aid pro­grams were formed with the intention of helping students cover educational expens­es through grants, scholarships, and work and loan programs.
According to the article, the goal of im­proving aid through grants is to allow stu­dents to stay in school longer, give them the ability to receive their degrees, and make forms of higher education more available to the American public.
This recent increase in programs is de­signed to expand the government’s role in college aid and decrease the role of private lenders to increase opportunities and avail­ability of aid.
A more federal focus will significantly lower the financial burden federal loans placed on taxpayers, according to the article.
“The timing of this bill seems very ap­propriate,” said Mary Kate Durkin, ’12. “The entire nation is hurting right now, and unfortunately higher education has taken a back seat to other financial responsibilities.”
The effect on college students is said to be minimal. Instead the focus will primar­ily be placed on officials at colleges and universities who will have to transition to government loans before the coming year.
In regard to Lehigh in particular, stu­dents looking for financial assistance will certainly feel the benefits of an increased availability of financial aid.
“Any increase in funding from outside sources, such as federal and state agencies, as well as private, is most helpful,” said Lin­da Bell, director of financial aid. “Currently the majority of financial aid is awarded from institutional sources and this would allow us to spread those resources further.”
Although this increase in aid will cer­tainly be beneficial to universities through­out the country, the bill does nothing to combat the costs of college, which signifi­cantly increase each year, according to the article.
One crucial aspect of the bill is that it carries out almost all of the campaign promises in regard to higher education made by President Obama.
Some of these improvements include boosting Pell Grants, creating grant pro­grams and ending subsidies for private
Obama, House of Representatives vote to extend aid
See AID Page 3
n The President and the House of Representatives plan to increase Pell Grants and available financial aid.
Vol. 117 No. 9
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
THE BROWN AND WHITE
Lehigh University’s Student Newspaper Founded in 1894
SPORTS
Volleyball serves American and Navy
Page 16
Staying safe on and off campus
Page 7
LIFESTYLE
Class of 2010 kicks off class gift fundraising
By ASHLEY SKIBICKI
On Thursday, the class of 2010 unveiled its class gift plans at a kickoff ceremony in the Asa Packer Dining Room in the University Center.
The senior class gift will be a scholarship funded by the students.
Divya Nayar, ’10, se­nior class treasurer, said the money is being raised through both online and cash donations.
“The 2010 senior class gift is an endowed scholarship in our class’ name,” said Jack Meehan, ’10, senior class president. “After all the great times our class has had on South Mountain, it’s impor­tant we help afford this same Lehigh experience to future generations of students.”
At the ceremony, Steve Rittler, ’99, spoke about his journey to Lehigh, and how it was possible because of the generosity of others.
Rittler, who attended Lehigh on a scholarship, believes others should have that same opportunity to experience Lehigh, even if they cannot afford it for themselves.
“I think the class of 2010 is absolutely wonderful for what they are doing,” Rittler said. A place is special be­cause of the people who are a part of it.”
Many students believe the scholarship is a great way to leave behind a legacy and help future students.
See GIFT Page 2
n The senior class gift will be a scholarship that will benefit future Lehigh students.
Causing a scene
B&W photo courtesy of LEHIGH UNREGISTERED
Lehigh’s Unregistered Film club caused a scene, literally, for students lined up at the U.C. on Friday. With cameras, actors and a director, the students promoted their club in a creative way. See page 4 for more pictures.
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