B Y: N IC O L E BA S K IN
FE B UR A R Y 18 , 2 01 3
MESSAGE 1: Short on CASH?
Things to look out for so you won’t have the pay the PRICE
PREP! Know the Rules!
Time for a J-O-B?
It’s never too soon to start saving to pay off
those loans! Ask your bank to see if they
have programs where you can have a
locked savings account where you can’t
make withdraws until a certain date. These
types of accounts can be greatly helpful if
you have trouble saving!
Check out the career services on campus to see about
job openings for work study, non-work study and
internship opportunities on and off campus. The career
services doesn’t only direct you to your jobs on campus,
they help put you on a career path , provide you with a
career mentor and you can even take an online
interactive self-assessment to assist you with major and
career exploration and decision making called FOCUS-2.
Visit their website for more information on their services.
http://www.wcu.edu/6661.asp
The “140 Rule”: Here at Western we are
under a 140 rule. It basically means that
when earning your B.A degree in four years,
you cannot exceed 140 credits in all. If you
do, you will have a surcharge of 50%. Here
is more info about the 140 Rule and its
exceptions! http://www.wcu.edu/25929.asp
Also, your refund check is NOT FREE
MONEY! Refund checks is the money your
loan didn’t use. Eventually you WILL have
to pay that money back!
LOANS
Under ‘Awards’ in your MyCat you may have seen something called the direct unsubsidized and
subsidized loans. Most students don’t know the difference and it’s VERY important to know!
Unsubsidized: Student borrowers with no financial need are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Interest on these loans is not paid by the federal government and is the responsibility of the student
at all times.
Subsidized: For the student with financial need, the federal government pays the interest on the
subsidized loan while the borrower is enrolled in college at least half time and for six months after
enrollment stops. At the end of the six-month grace period, the borrower becomes responsible
for the loan interest and repayment. Take the time to calculate how much debt you’ll be in once you
graduate!
***DON’T FORGET YOU CAN ALWAYS APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS!***
MESSAGE 2: The Weekly Review!
Weekly reviews by your first-year peers of local restaurants, shops, places to go and
more! So check it out each week to see new reviews to help you choose!
ENJOY!
Review 1 –Local Concert Venues!
Dogwood Crafters
By Rebecca Sargent
There is a log cabin in Dillsboro, NC that
contains a plethora of gifts, trinkets, and
preserves. This log cabin is actually a store
called Dogwood Crafters. It is located in
downtown Dillsboro at 90 Webster Street and is
about a 20 minute drive from Western Carolina
University. The store is a craft cooperative
where many artisans contribute their
handmade pieces of art, stitch work, clothes,
ornaments, etc. You can find almost anything in
this store. For example, there are seasonal
sections (one for Christmas, one for Easter, one
for Halloween), a toddlers section, an art
gallery, and much more to look at and buy.
Façade of Dogwood Crafters
As I walked through the store's door, I heard the chime of a bell and a sweet cashier lady greeted me, asking if I
needed help finding anything. As I looked around, I saw interesting and authentic objects. Earrings, ornaments,
bird houses, paintings, jams, and other decorations filled the store. The log cabin store put off an air of antiquity
that made me feel as if I was in my grandparents’ home again.
Well-thought-out craft placement on the walls and showcases helped the packed building leave enough room
for most people to fit everywhere comfortably. However, entering the store when there are many shoppers in
the area is a bad idea because people squish you into the smaller spaces, so visiting another time is best. If you
are hoping to look around in a laidback atmosphere, pick a time Monday thru Thursday or on Sunday to see
what Dogwood Crafters has to offer because those seem to be slower business days.
Some crafts available at the store.
Dogwood Crafters is a unique store that can make you want to buy something when you originally came in to
browse. The assortment and variety of crafts can suit anyone who enters. The prices are reasonable; however,
you need to remember that everything in the store is handmade locally. Therefore, the prices may be a little
higher than factory made merchandise, but the quality and singularity of the craft makes the extra couple
dollars acceptable.
The location of the store is convenient because downtown Dillsboro has multiple shops, including Dogwood
Crafters, down four or so back-to-back streets. Therefore, if you want to make a day out of looking through
stores, Dogwood Crafters is easily accessible. Unexpectedly, I found that downtown Dillsboro reminds me of an
old-fashioned town from many years ago because the buildings are quaint, small, and close together. Also, the
streets are straight lines and the parking is along the sides of the road. Going into downtown Dillsboro to visit
Dogwood Crafters will make you feel like you are going back in time.
Dogwood Crafters has unique and handmade items that may not fit everyone’s taste but can be interesting for
anyone to look at. The store has a wide variety of crafts and, although there are large quantities of objects
everywhere, most people can fit in and out of every room without difficulty. It is not pricey to buy a gift from
this store filled with mountain culture, tradition, and heritage. I recommend that everyone in the area of
Dillsboro visits Dogwood Crafters at least once. This is a unique store and cannot be found anywhere else.
If you are curious to read more reviews, visit the wiki: http://roma.wcu.edu/groups/getlocal/If
MESSAGE 3 Announcements!
Your journey ---- Your goals --- the contest is now OPEN!
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK!
WCU TRAIL GRAND OPENING!
On Saturday February 23 at 11am the WCU Trail will have its Grand Opening at the
Picnic Area! The trail closes at 5pm!
RELAY FOR LIFE FASHION SHOW
Show your support on Friday February 22, UC Illusions 7pm!
RASHMON HITS THE STAGE!
Wednesday February 20, Hoey Auditorium 7:30pm!
"Rashomon," written by Fay and Michael Kanin, is based on stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa.
Directed by Stage and Screen faculty member D.V. Caitlyn, the play is a stark examination of
the limits of human perception and the human need for certainty and its elusive nature. The
production is the story of four separate accounts of a rape and murder as seen through the
eyes of four witnesses. In his review of the play, James Berardinelli wrote that "Perspective
distorts reality and makes the absolute truth unknowable." WCU's dramatically stylized staging
will pay homage to traditional elements of the Noh Theater of Japan.
SPORTS!
Men’s Basket Ball: Cats vs. Charleston Wednesday February 20, 7pm!
Women’s Basketball: BEAT APP! Monday February 18 7pm Ramsey!
Men’s Baseball: Cats vs. Wake Forest! Tuesday February 19, 4pm Hennon
Stadium!
*** For More Events this week visit, http://www.wcu.edu/11570.asp ***
Want to be in an issue of the Message Board?
A new section called “CUB’s Corner” IS NOW OPEN! This section is all about
YOU!
Show off your creativity! We need new cubs to submit their own works such as an
original poem, video, drawing/ comic strip, short story, almost anything!
There will also be a lucky cub featured in one week’s issue for getting involved on campus.
Whether it’s through volunteer work, club/organization, or an event on campus! Simply
send in a picture or short video and a short description of yourself and what you’re doing
to stay involved on campus!
Need advice? Cub’s Corner will also feature an Ask Mitten’s column!
All submission types are to be sent to cubsaskmittens@yahoo.com!
As you journey through the year, Reflect on these FYE goals;
Celebrate the Student Community Creed; Share your success stories in
EYE on FYE
Leave your mark at EYE on FYE!!!
Discover College
Adapt to new environments and responsibilities - discover and use the resources available to you!
Be Involved
Identify and act upon your role and responsibility as an engaged citizen - be an active participant in your learning
experiences!
Connect the Dots
Connect your personal interests and abilities, academics, and co-curricular activities as you make sense of the
world.
Think First
Identify complex issues or problems – evaluate your options to make an informed decision - reflect on the
implications of your choice.
Exchange Ideas
Communicate appropriately and respectfully in a variety of formats and contexts.
Calibrate Your Compass
Examine your values and goals - take responsibility for your own learning and development - act with integrity!