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Petition Tag - college students
1. Support more transparency in American colleges 
College is more expensive now than at any point in our history.
Students and parents need more data in order to make informed choices.
2. Ban Plastic Surgery Reality TV
There are three significant negative effects of plastic surgery reality tv shows among college students that have been studied.
1) Yeunsoo Kim, member of the International Communication Associated clarifies the first effect in his periodical for the International Communication Association as follows:
Plastic surgery depicted on reality tv makes plastic surgery seem like a social norm. The shows depict positive outcomes of plastic surgery. The more exposure college students have to it, the more their increased positive thoughts and intentions to undergo plastic surgery themselves.
2) The second effect is examined by Marwick as creating what she calls “Body culture media” or a genre of popular culture which positions work on the body as a morally correct solution to personal problems. This goes for all areas of one’s life: romantic experiences, employment opportunities, and overall happiness. Contestant Erica Moore of season two stated she signed up for the show because, “I want the pizzazz. I want the wow out of life. I want to be somebody.” She blames all of her problems in life on her appearance and even worse, she believes altering her appearance will also inherently make all of her problems disappear. To Erica Moore, cosmetic surgery is the appropriate means to achieving her authentic self.
3) Third, people that view reality television as credible, tend to base their decisions about plastic surgery on the unbalanced information in the shows—viewers get false impressions. Marwick again supports my claim, stating that “the Swan testimonials are heavily edited to serve producer’s ideological ends: in this case to emphasize the shamefulness of the non-ideal body, reinforcing the idea that only sexy people deserve to have sex and be happy.” Her research points out “While the show is nominally about transforming bodies, the more significant transformation is that of our viewers moral understanding of plastic surgery.”
3. Cheaper College Books For College Students
The Student Government believe that we are paying too much for the college books here at Hinds Community College.
Students should be able to save money each semester.
4. Food Stamps For College Students
According to a Marketing profile on the Eastern College Athletic Conference, (http://www.ecac.org/Marketing/College_Market_Demographic_Profile.pdf) Most college students live away from home, and of those who are employed, (66%) most only work part time. [There were no explicit figures available on average college student income, however I believe it is common knowledge that part-time wages are quite low.]
In her article: "College tuition rising faster than the average income", USA Today writer Mary Beth Marklein notes that college tuition rates increased 107% from 1980 to 2002. This increase makes affording food a challenge for college students.
But the real problem is not being able to afford healthy food. According to Ted W. Grace of the Journal of American College Health in his article: "Health Problems of College Students", students' eating habits get much worse in the college years, where students often turn to the convenient, cheap, fast food industry to sustain them.
One February 25, 2004 article of The Daily Orange (the school newspaper of Syracuse University) tells of the growing trend of students who desire to eat healthy but find themselves only able to afford unhealthy fast food items.
Providing food stamps to college students who meet the requirements I listed would be a step in the right direction for our nations future. The college years are the time in the lives of young Americans where they make formative habits that stick with them for the rest of their lives. If students are forced into the habit of poor eating choices due to financial constraints, then they will continue with those habits, and the health of this nation will continue to deteriorate in a very negative way. However, having a steady source of food would set many students at ease, knowing that expenses such as rent and tuition can be prioritized on their personal budgets, without having to sacrifice good eating.
Thank you for your consideration,
-Thomas K.
5. College Loans are Worthy of Forgiveness
Many students who are not financially able to pay for college are forced to take out loans. Many of these loans for college are a last resort. To avoid having a balance, most students take out loans only after financial aid has covered a mere portion of their education. Because of this, many college students fall into debt. Many will owe at least $15,000 by the time they graduate. To avoid this kind of debt, some students will drop out or avoid college altogether. This dilemma that many college students face is very disheartening.
In a country where education is prioritized, debt is not the way to keep students motivated. Subsequently, there may be less college graduates in the future.
6. Repair Jackson State Community College Parking Lots
In April 2004 some Jackson State Community College students brought forth the solutions to the parking area problems at JSCC.
The parking lots are in need of desperate repair, however, the school lacks the state funding. So, in order to solve this problem and satisfy the safety needs of JSCC students and faculty, this group of students ask that a committee of volunteers be put together to repair the parking lot.