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NC gov defends his self-published poet laureate

By WTOP Staff

MARTHA WAGGONER
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s governor, facing criticism that he bypassed a traditional selection process in choosing a poet laureate with only two self-published books to her name, said Wednesday he seeks to give opportunities to those who aren’t part of “elite groups.”

But Gov. Pat McCrory also said he would review the procedure he used after picking Valerie Macon to serve a two-year term in the high-profile position. A disability examiner for the state, Macon has two self-published books of poetry and a dedication to helping the homeless.

Several previous poets laureate have criticized McCrory for bypassing the traditional though not obligatory process of involving the North Carolina Arts Council in the selection.

“We were not aware of the traditional process that was in place,” McCrory said Wednesday. “It wasn’t written down anywhere on the walls.”

When told the guidelines once were on the Arts Council’s website, McCrory replied: “We must have missed that website.”

The sections on the selection process have disappeared from the council’s website.

However, the governor’s news release about Macon’s appointment included some of the same guidelines as those of the council: “Guidelines call for the poet to be a North Carolinian with deep connections to the cultural life of this state, literary excellence and influence on other writers and appreciation of literature in its diversity throughout the state …”

The Arts Council also said the poet laureate should have: an appreciation of literature in its diversity throughout the state; a statewide, national or international reputation; and an ability and willingness to engage in the public duties of the office.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Macon said she does not have a national or international reputation. Asked if she has a statewide reputation, she replied: “I don’t know. There have been people who have told me they read my book, and they come from another state. It’s hard to judge.”

McCrory said Wednesday that one of his objectives is to open appointments to people who aren’t part of “the standard or even elite groups … It’s good to welcome new voices and new ideas.”

In naming Macon, McCrory noted her self-published books “Shelf Life” and “Sleeping Rough.” His original statement said she also had served as a regional distinguished poet in North Carolina.

Macon has since confirmed she wasn’t the distinguished poet but was mentored by a poet who had won that honor.

Typically, the poet laureate receives a stipend of up to $15,000 for a two-year project. Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council, said there are no plans now to award a grant to Macon, although that could change if she develops a project that has public value.

“I have had a chance to meet her, and I’m excited about the focus of her work,” Martin said. “She’s very interested in shedding light on the issues of people who are homeless, and she’s worked very hard on that. I think she has a lot of potential to do good work.”

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Follow Martha Waggoner at http://twitter.com/mjwaggonernc

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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