Well friends, it’s been a hell of a semester.
We’ve seen massive cuts to funding for the University. Plain and simple, we just don’t have the support we used to have anymore — and it’s only going to get worse.
We have an unsustainable budget and little political support.
As the funding Gov. Bobby Jindal has set from rainy day funds for “balancing” Louisiana’s budget dries up, we’re going to see health care and higher education get even harder hits to the wallet.
While we were busy taking classes this fall, President Barack Obama and Jindal both made their feelings about four-year universities clear, and it doesn’t look good for us.
Don’t worry, though. At this very moment there’s a crack team of policymakers and specialists in education working hard to save the dying education system.
Oh no, wait. It’s McDonalds and Gap.
Yes, the same people who can’t take an order correctly will save us all.
Just this semester, I got my PayPal account info stolen and was contacted to collect my “large cash prize” from Publishers Clearing House (located in Jamaica now, apparently).
And as we approach the holiday season, I want all of you to watch out for “Christmas” scams. They’re all over the place, and they’re going to be relentless trying to get your money, so you have to be relentless protecting it.
First, be skeptical when you see an offer for a $200 dollar high definition TV, or an iPad for “only $24.99.” It doesn’t happen. Nobody wants to sell you anything that cheap unless it’s illegal, broken or nonexistent — even if you filled out a “quick survey.”
Second, if anyone gets in contact with you on Craigslist who just needs you to send the laptop you’re selling over to his Pastor in Africa and tries to convince you he’ll totally wire the money in a couple days, delete the trash as fast as possible.
Nobody in Nigeria wants to buy your computer. Really.
Third, don’t fall for the old switcheroo. If you decide to try a service under the guise of a free trial, check to see what the stipulations are. They frequently make it difficult to unsubscribe, then charge you outrageous fees when the “free trial” is up.
Fourth, if you get a call, e-mail, letter or any form of communication where you are asked to wire money or otherwise pay for your prize, it’s a scam. Always.
Nobody from a southern African country (as is usually the case), or any country for that matter, who has enough cash to throw a “lost inheritance” of several million dollars to some random American is going to need a $25 dollar loan to help get the money to you.
Fifth and last, but definitely not least, be careful of telephone scams. You may receive a call asking seemingly innocent questions like, “Are you either male or female?” or “Are you alive, presently?” When you answer “yes,” they re-edit the clip so that it sounds like you agreed to buy something.
Scam artists then take these clips, re-edit them, and sign you up for their service. When you, in protest of outrageous fees on your cell phone bill, call your carrier, they simply replay the edited clip.
If you suspect this has happened to you, call your cell phone provider immediately and explain the situation.
It really happens.
Be safe, my friends, and have a Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah.
Devin Graham is a 21-year-old business management senior from Prairieville. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Dgraham.
 
 
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Contact Devin Graham at [email protected]