Educational

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April 21st, 2009- Millionaire Offers $100,000 Student Contest

By GREG HARDESTY

The Orange County Register

Published April 15th, 2009

Sherry Chin Heijkoop grew up poor. Her dad womanized his way out of her life when she was 2, leaving behind his Chinese wife and nine kids in a Malaysian shack, a place with a dirt floor, no electricity or running water.

The family meal usually was little more than white rice. Shoes were rare. They had no mattresses.

But living with little, Heijkoop says, gave her a singular thought as a child: "I want to grow up, travel the world and become a successful millionaire."

So she did. And, today, Heijkoop has achieved a financial life that's beyond most people's dreams. Money, she says, is no longer an issue.

Still, until recently, Heijkoop felt like she lacked direction, that at age 50 she still was seeking a purpose.

Heijkoop now believes she has found her calling.

The multilingual, self-made millionaire wants to teach young adults how to succeed in life – financially and otherwise.

Choosing Orange County as her launching pad, Heijkoop is starting a contest that figures to change the lives of a few deserving students.

The stakes?

A potentially life-changing $100,000.

While Oprah has had her "Big Give" TV contest, Heijkoop calls her non-TV contest simply the "Big Idea."

The contest — which starts today and ends July 16 — works like this: Students must write a biographical essay on why they deserve the money. Their life story should be compelling, and they need to outline clear goals for their education and long-term life strategy.

Heijkoop will select 10 winners. First-prize gets the $100,000, and all the mentoring (from Heijkoop) he or she needs to become a millionaire. The nine others get $2,000 each, plus free mentoring.

Heijkoop has set up an organization, Mentor Unlimited USA, to make sure the money will be used for tuition and living expenses. The Orange County-based nonprofit is aimed at helping students who are at a crossroads — students seeking a sanctuary to build their self-esteem and self-confidence in a competitive world.

Heijkoop's goal is to get the winning student through school, and to give him or her the tools to succeed on his or her own terms.

Interestingly, these days, Heijkoop's notion of success seems less centered on money itself than on what money can — and can't — buy.

"I could go out and buy a Ferrari, bigger diamond rings or more designer handbags, but that wouldn't be fulfilling," Heijkoop says.

"I'd rather spend over $100,000 to do something I have always wanted, from the bottom of my heart – to make a positive impact on someone's life."

VIBRANT

Heijkoop is a difficult person to contain.

With a big smile, a strong, articulate voice, and long black hair that flows over feminine outfits, she exudes energy and self-confidence. She is also refreshingly blunt about money and success.

"Does money buy happiness?" Heijkoop says. "Sure it does! Absolutely!"

Money, she believes, buys her the time and the freedom to pursue the things she enjoys. She also believes that her contest will allow a winning student to eventually not stress about their finances either — something that will let them pursue their passions.

For Heijkoop, those passions have been varied. Money has allowed her to shop freely and travel the world. But it's also meant days volunteering at soup kitchens and doing other philanthropic work, as well as mentoring young adults.

The idea for the contest, she says, came to her as she audited a class in communications at Cal State Fullerton.

Looking around the room, she saw young adults who were hungering for knowledge and the tools for success — but who were not necessarily at an ideal place in their lives, financially or otherwise.

She saw young people who, in many cases, lacked role models or supportive adults.

"I know I can make a tremendous impact on people that age," Heijkoop says. "I didn't want to spend my money or energy on someone who has given up on life.

"I also didn't want to adopt a child, because changing diapers is not my strength," she adds, laughing.

"College students are old enough that many of them don't need their mom or dad. But they are young enough to mold.

"…I will be able to motivate students and help mold their futures."

QUICK LEARNER

For Heijkoop, who has residences on three continents — including one in south Orange County — the road from Asia to Europe to America, from poverty to a life of fine dining, designer clothes and luxury vehicles, was long.

But she was a quick study.

After excelling at elementary and high school, Heijkoop, 19 and still in a Malaysian college, started selling magazine subscriptions. She was good enough at it that her Australian boss soon sent her to sell magazines throughout Asia.

A super-saleswoman was born.

Heijkoop says a key to successful sales is to be direct and honest. Another is to serve people's needs and be a solutions provider — not to strong-arm them into coughing up money for a quick sale.

Heijkoop came to the United States in 1980. In the decades since, she says she's made a tidy nest egg, mostly from sales and marketing, real estate and investing.

She says the timing for her $100,000 Big Idea/essay contest is perfect.

"I'm retired," Heijkoop says. "I have the resources, the time and the mental clarity to do this 100 percent.

"Also, there are a lot of people confused and lost in this bad economy," she adds. "People are scared. They all feel like they're facing a bleak future.

"Well, I'm here to help."

Original articel may be found here

April 2nd, 2009- At UCSB: Police Investigate Local Fraternity After Attack

By Jessica Mullen / Staff Writer
Published Thursday, April 2, 2009
Issue 96 / Volume 89

Several men outside the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity house violently beat UCSB student Thanh Hong and a friend last month, while allegedly screaming "gook" and other racial slurs throughout the assault.

According to Hong's attorney Edwin Prather, Hong and his friend were walking past the fraternity house on their way home last month when they were verbally harassed by several men inside.

"There were people standing on the patio of Pike and four male individuals came out of the house and started making racial slurs toward Thanh calling him `ching-chong-ching' and `gook,'" Prather said.

The verbal barrage quickly escalated into an unprovoked physical assault, Prather said.

"They challenged Thanh to a fight, saying things like, `I know Kung Fu,'" Prather said. "Then one of the men sucker punched Thanh's friend in the side of the head. When Thanh went to help his friend the aggressor hit Thanh in the face."

At this point, Prather said, a scuffle emerged between the two groups and a second wave of men emerged from the fraternity house. One man was allegedly armed with a broomstick.

However, Hong managed to flee the scene before a full-blown mob attack transpired because the aggressor found the situation too comical to carry on, Prather said.

"At one point the aggressor stopped hitting Thanh because he started laughing, which gave Thanh a chance to pick his friend up and escape," Prather said.

At approximately 2:20 a.m. on March 2, Isla Vista Foot Patrol officers received reports of the beating and arrived on the scene. Meanwhile, Hong sought medical attention and received several stitches in his face; his friend allegedly suffered from short-term memory loss.

Isla Vista Foot Patrol Lt. Brian Olmstead said although his department had verified the attack they are still working with members of the fraternity as well as other individuals implicated in the incident to pinpoint a suspect.

"We have confirmed that there was an assault that occurred outside the Pike fraternity house and that several injuries occurred," Olmstead said. "Right now as part of an ongoing investigation we are contacting witnesses and we have identified a potential subject. We are not releasing any further information because it may influence what the witnesses say. We want as clean of an investigation as possible."

David Klein, Former P.I.K.E. President and current Public Relations Chair, said the fraternity is cooperating with the authorities to resolve the issue at hand.

"The members of our chapter are very sympathetic and concerned for Thanh and his friend for the events that occurred in early March. We will continue to work together with the witnesses and the police to make sure they obtain all the facts and details about this unfortunate incident," Klein, a fourth-year communication major, said. "As a diverse fraternity comprised of people from various ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds, we ask that there is no `rush to judgment,' as many discrepant reports have circulated about this matter."

In response to the alleged beating, Klein said P.I.K.E. will feature an educational booth addressing acts of aggression at their boxing tournament later this month.

"We are looking forward to uniting with the multi-cultural organizations on April 17 at our annual charity fundraiser Fight Night, as we will be setting up booths and raising awareness about violence and racism in Isla Vista," Klein said.

Prather said the parties involved in the ongoing investigation have demonstrated a willingness to bring the perpetrator to justice.

"I am guardedly optimistic everyone is doing the right thing," Prather said. "I was told by the P.I.K.E. leadership that the fraternity wanted to do the right thing, but there is no doubt that a hate crime occurred in front of the fraternity house, and we need to find the person responsible and call him out for what he is."

Original story can be found here, http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=18588

February 23rd, 2009- State budget contains $115 million in new cuts for UC, stretches university's total budget challenge to $450 million

To view online: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/19562

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009
Ricardo Vázquez (510) 287-3301
ricardo.vazquez@ucop.edu

State budget contains $115 million in new cuts for UC, stretches university's total budget challenge to $450 million

The state budget adopted by the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the rest of 2008-09 and the 2009-10 fiscal year contains $115 million in new permanent funding reductions for the University of California system and, by virtue of other growing costs not addressed in the budget, extends the university's total immediate state budget challenge to $450 million.

The final budget added a $50 million reduction in 2009-10 on top of the $65.5 million reduction the governor already had proposed as a mid-year cut for 2008-09. These cuts are not targeted to specific programs. The additional $50 million reduction for 2009-10 could be rescinded later this spring, however, if the state receives sufficient funds from the federal economic recovery package. In this case, the reduction is one of several that would be "triggered" for restoration.

The final budget approved by the governor also replaces an additional $255 million one-time reduction in state General Funds for UC with an equivalent amount of funds from the federal economic recovery package, producing a revenue-neutral outcome for UC.

The total $450 million shortfall for UC consists of the $115 million in new cuts, $122 million in underfunded enrollments and $213 million in unfunded mandatory costs over the two-year period for utilities, employee health benefits and other inflationary costs.

Other major changes in the final budget include the elimination of $20 million the governor had proposed for re-starting employer contributions to the UC Retirement Plan, the deletion of funding to increase medical student enrollments in UC's PRIME program and nursing student enrollments, as well as the deletion of all UC capital facility projects' funding for 2009-10.

The funding for enrollment increases in the PRIME and nursing programs and for capital facility projects are on a list of items that may be reconsidered in subcommittee hearings this spring. The elimination of funding for UC's 2009-10 capital projects amounts to $448.6 million, and in some cases, will affect projects that are vital for enrollment growth and seismic replacement.

"We recognize the extraordinary fiscal challenges facing the state and are not surprised to be asked to take reductions as part of the solution," said UC President Mark G. Yudof. "I want to express my sincere appreciation to the governor for continuing to make UC a priority, as shown in his January budget, and in his subsequent special session budget recommendations. I also want to express my appreciation to the Legislature for avoiding even deeper cuts to the UC budget.

"But it is important to state clearly that the reductions contained in this budget will be felt by students, by faculty, by staff and ultimately by people across California who benefit in their daily lives from the university's work. Lower spending for higher education ultimately erodes student opportunity, innovation, health care and medical research, and economic growth for California. Recognizing the state's fiscal challenges, the UC system has been working to achieve administrative efficiencies on the campuses, has realized more than $30 million in savings at the Office of the President, has frozen high-level salaries, and has implemented restrictions on travel and non-essential spending.

"I will be working closely with the campuses to determine how best to absorb the new cuts in a way that protects the academic program and student services to the greatest extent possible. And the university will continue working in committed partnership with the state and with the other segments of public higher education to support the economic recovery of California."

In addition, Yudof said the university is gravely concerned about the budget's elimination of proposed state funding for the re-start of contributions to the UC Retirement Plan.

UC has saved the state over $2 billion in obligations to UC retirees during the 18 years in which the university suspended both employer and employee contributions to its retirement system. Today, however, the UC Retirement Plan is only 95 percent funded, and it has been estimated to fall to 60 percent within five years even with the reinstatement of contributions.

Yudof said the state has a responsibility to support employer contributions to UC's Retirement Plan, as it does for contributions to other defined benefit plans on behalf of California State University and community college employees.

"Ensuring the security of UC employees' retirement requires that this issue be revisited, and we will be focusing on this issue intently in the coming weeks and months," Yudof said.

The university does not yet have information on how the budget will affect student fee levels for fall 2009. The Regents will take up that subject at a meeting this spring; the timing has yet to be determined. UC will continue to administer a strong financial aid program mitigating the impacts of any fee increase, including implementation of the new Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan for students with financial need and household incomes below $60,000 per year. Information about that plan is at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/19471.

February 14th, 2009

Excerpt from Yahoo! article:
Higher Education:

The maximum Pell Grant, which helps the lowest-income students attend college, would increase from $4,731 currently to $5,350 starting July 1 and $5,550 in 2010-2011. That would cover three-quarters of the average cost of a four-year college. An extra 800,000 students, or about 7 million, would now get Pell funding.

The stimulus also increases the tuition tax credit to $2,500 and makes it 40 percent refundable, so families who don't earn enough to pay income tax could still get up to $1,000 in extra tuition help.

Computer expenses will now be an allowable expense for 529 college savings plans.

The final package cut $6 billion the House wanted to spend to kick-start building projects on college campuses. But parts of the $54 billion state stabilization fund — with $39 billion set aside for education — can be used for modernizing facilities.

There's also an estimated $15 billion for scientific research, much of which will go to universities. Funding for the National Institutes of Health includes $1.5 billion set aside for university research facilities.

Altogether, the package spends an estimated $32 billion on higher education.

For more info: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090214/ap_on_go_co/stimulus_stakes_who_gets_what