Dear Dad

It’s your boy.

Freedom

“Freeing people from drudgery and repetitive jobs which make them ignorant, you rob them.”

-Jacque Fresco

My Degree Plan

My Degree Plan Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

Core Curriculum 42 42 00

Bachelor of Arts Requirement 06 00 06

College Requirement 09 06 03

Major Requirement 27 06 21

Other Hours 36 12 21

Totals 120 66 54

A baccalaurean degree plan consists of 120 hours. Those 120 hours are sorted out as follows.

42 of those 120 are the Core Curriculum. These make up what is known as an Associates Degree.

06 of those 120 are the Bachelor of Arts Requirement. These are the Foreign Language.

09 of those 120 are the College Requirement. These are 3 different CLASS department courses.

27 of those 120 are the Major Requirement. These hours are from the Philosophy department.

36 of those 120 are the Other Hours. These hours make up the Minor and Electives categories.

Additionally 36 hours of all hours must be advanced (3000-4000 level).

Core CurriculumUH Core Curriculum LSCC Core Equivalent Date Taken Credit Grade

ENGL 1303 ENGL 1301 SUMR 09 3 D

ENGL 1304 ENGL 1302 SPR 13 3 A

MATH 1310 or 1311 MATH 1314 FALL 13 3 C

Math Reasoning (PHIL 1321) KINE 1122 SPR 09 1 C

HIST 1377 HIST 1301 SUMR 13 3 A

HIST 1378 HIST 1302 SUMR 13 3 B

POLS 1336 GOVT 2301 FALL 10 3 C

POLS 1337 GOVT 2305 SPR 13 3 B

Humanities PHIL 1301 SPR 09 3 A

Visual and Performing Arts ARTS 1316 SPR 09 3 B

Natural Sciences I BIOL 1408 FALL 13 4 B

Natural Sciences II PHYS 1404 FALL 13 4 B

Social and Behavioral Sciences SOCI 1301 SPR 10 3 C

Writing in the Disciplines SPCH 1315 SPR 13 3 A

Totals 42 2.67 GPA

Credits Remaining

CC 42

BAR 06

CR 09

MR 27

OH 36

Totals 120

Bachelor of Arts RequirementHours Remaining

CC 00

BAR 06

CR 09

MR 27

OH 36

Totals 78

Bachelor of Arts Requirement Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

Foreign Language I (2000 level or higher) 03 00 03

Foreign Language II (2000 level or higher) 03 00 03

Totals 06 00 06

In order to take a 2000 level Foreign Language course a prerequisite of both 1000 level courses must have been taken within the last year OR a placement exam may be taken.

College RequirementHours Remaining

CC 00

BAR 06

CR 09

MR 27

OH 36

Totals 78

Nine hours of courses must be taken from at least three different CLASS departments (College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences). Courses used to fill core, major, or foreign language are UNUSABLE in this area.

College Requirement Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

ART 1397 03 03 03

ENGL ELEC 03 03 03

???? ???? 03 00 03

Totals 09 06 03

Major RequirementHours Remaining

CC 00

BAR 06

CR 03

MR 27

OH 36

Totals 75

Major Requirement Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

1000 Level PHIL PHIL 1301 03 03 00

1000 Level PHIL (Ethics) PHIL 1305 03 03 00

PHIL 2321 (Logic II) 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL Philosophy History 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL Ancient/Early Modern History 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL 03 00 03

3000 Level PHIL 03 00 03

Totals 27 06 21

Other HoursHours Remaining

CC 00

BAR 06

CR 03

MR 21

OH 36

Totals 69

Other Hours Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

Minor Hours

SOC 1300 03 03 00

Any Level SOC (3000) 03 00 03

3000 Level SOC 03 00 03

3000 Level SOC 03 00 03

3000 Level SOC 03 00 03

3000 Level SOC 03 00 03

Totals 18 03 15

Electives 18 09 09

Cumulative Totals 36 12 24

Totals

My Degree Plan Hours Required Hours Taken Hours Remaining

Core Curriculum 42 42 00

Bachelor of Arts Requirement 06 00 06

College Requirement 03 03 00

Major Requirement 21 09 12

Other Hours 24 03 21

Totals 54 15 39

Hours Remaining

CC 00

BAR 06

CR 03

MR 21

OH 24

Totals 54

This is my SPR 14 schedule and the updated degree plan.

Course Title Number Subject

Logic II 2321 PHIL

Introduction to Sociological Thought 3300 SOC

Elementary Spanish II 1502 SPAN

Feminist Philosophy 3356 PHIL

Metaphysics 3333 PHIL

HousingCougar Village 1 – Available for students

who are freshmen or under the age of 21.

Cougar Village 2 – Available for students who are freshmen or under the age of 21.

Moody Towers – All classifications of students may elect to live in Moody Towers.

The Quadrangle – All classifications of students may elect to live in the Quadrangle.

Cougar Place – Available for students who have sophomore standing or higher or age 20 or any returning resident who participates in Priority Room Selection.

Bayou Oaks – Available for students who

have sophomore standing or higher or age 20 or any returning resident who participates in Priority Room Selection.

Calhoun Lofts – Available for students who have junior standing or higher or age 21.

Affiliated Properties:Cambridge Oaks* - Available for transfer

students and students who have a sophomore standing or higher.

Cullen Oaks*- Available for transfer students and students who have a sophomore standing or higher.

* Call for details.

Housing RatesResidential Housing Rooms Sq Ft Per SemesterMoody Towers*Double 2 190 $2252Single 1 172 $2810Super Single 1 190 $3081

Quadrangle*

Double 2 258 $2494Super Single 1 258 $3302

Apartment Housing Rooms Sq Ft Per SemesterCalhoun LoftsEfficiency Unfurnished 1 341 $4510

Efficiency Furnished 1 341 $46251 Bed 1 Bath Unfurnished 1 492 $5545

1 Bed 1 Bath Furnished 1 492 $5710

2 Bed 1 Bath Unfurnished 2 668 $4025

2 Bed 1 Bath Furnished 2 668 $4135

Cougar Place*4 Bed 1 Bath 4 844 $32852 Bed 1 Bath 2 447 $35851 Bed 1 Bath 1 367 $3685

Apartment Housing Rooms Sq Ft Per SemesterBayou Oaks2 Bed 1 Bath 2 568 $34142 Bed 1 Bath Sh. TH 2 360 $27813 Bed 2 Bath Sh. 3 830 $3337

4 Bed 2 Bath 4 952 $3245

Apartment means bathroom included. Maybe kitchen. * Requires meal plan.

Housing RatesApartment Housing Persons/Rooms Sq Ft Per Month

Cullen Oaks1 Bed 1 Bath 1 528 $8501 Bed 1 Bath Phase 1 2 684 $710

2 Bed 2 Bath Phase 1 2 771 $735

2 Bed 2 Bath Deluxe 2 798 $745

4 Bed 2 Bath 4 1035 $650Efficiency 1 317 $8102 Bed 1 Bath Phase 2 2 502 $705

2 Bed 2 Bath Phase 2 2 732 $730

Apartment Housing Persons/Rooms Sq Ft Per Month

Cambridge Oaks*Efficiency 2 484 $9901 Bed 1 Bath 2 643 $10602 Bed 2 Bath 2 893 $876

2 Bed 2 Bath 4 893 $450

*Does not include furniture or electricity.

Meal PlansMeal Plans are required for the following domiciles:

• Moody Towers• Quadrangle• Cougar Village• Cougar Place

We live in Moody Towers so we get a meal plan.

Room and board all in one package? What!? They thought of everything!

Meal PlansAll-Access 7• Continuous access to the dining hall Monday – Sunday (swipes may only be used by plan holder once every 30 minutes)• 15 guest passes for friends or family• $100 in Cougar Cash• $1,800/semester plus tax

Lifestyle 160• 160 All-You-Care-To-Eat Meals/Semester• $400 in Cougar Cash• $1,700/semester plus tax

Lifestyle 15• 15 All-You-Care-To-Eat Meals/Week• $200 Cougar Cash• $1,700/semester plus tax

All Cougar Cash• $1,350 Cougar Cash

Cougar Cash?Cougar Cash

• Cougar Cash is not a loan. • Cougar Cash can be used at eating establishments across campus. • Cougar Cash discount of 10% when used in the residential dining halls. • Cougar Cash balance rolls forward from semester to semester as long as it

is being actively used. • Cougar Cash can be replenished online.

– There are now two options on how to purchase Cougar Cash. You can pay with a debit/credit card if you purchase in increments of $50, or you can add it to your tuition bill by buying a Cougar Cash Meal plan for $300, $500, $800, or $1000.

Information courtesy of http://www.campusdish.com

Dietary NeedsIt’s important to note that for all meal plan housing the lowest price option and most

beneficial is the Cougar Cash option at $1350. Based on my own calculations the cost per month for food expenditure for a single

person household is $300-$400. This gives a little extra room in the budget for unexpected expenditures.

Taking this data into account we can estimate food expenses at 4 months (January-April, September-December) coming out to an estimated $1200-$1600.

This data might be higher than expected however. What I am taking into account is based on the current weekly expenditure on grocery bills for me and my mother. We eat a high protein diet based on scientific data that indicates a healthy diet is to focus on protein and fat rather than a carbohydrate based diet as the USDA current indicates as the national standard.

This data also indicates that the body tends to struggle with processed foods and foods rich in grains (i.e. high fructose corn syrup, sugars, and oatmeal).

For more information on why grains are unhealthy please visit:Mark's Daily Apple

Food Expense

Age Weekly Monthly

Male Thrifty Low Med Liberal Thrifty Low Med Liberal

19-50 50.16 64.80 81.00 135.86 217.56 281.04 350.76 431.64

Data courtesy of www.cnpp.usda.gov *This data has been modified to account for a person living in a single family unit according to the suggested USDA standards.

Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, October 2013

As one could see this rate could easily explain a difference in cost for living expenditures at a glance.

The USDA standards indicate that a primary source of food intake is carbohydrates. Carbohydrate rich products tend to be typically much cheaper than all others (i.e. rice, bread, pasta).

The Big PictureProductive• The $1350 Cougar Cash is a much

cheaper alternative to any other meal plan.

• All food is prepared, no time wasted in making my own meals or finding the ingredients.

• Cougar Cash can be used a various retail locations at UH for not only food but other supplies.

• You also get a 10% discount when you use your Cougar Cash at either one of the dining halls: Fresh Food Company at Moody Towers or the RFoC at Cougar Woods.

Contrary• Limited amount of venues to

choose from.• Cougar Cash cannot be used in the

real world.• Diet might become hard to stick

with.• Hours of operation must coincide

with hunger.• I have no idea what is in my food.• I might get fat.

TotalsFinancial Assessment For SPRING 2014Charge Due Date Term Amount

Foreign Lang Lab-Lab Fee-Elementary Spanish II 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $2.00

Cougar Cash-All Cash Charge 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $1,350.00

Housing- Towers Double 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $2,271.00

Tuit-UGRD-RES-CLASS1 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $3,964.57

FEE-UGRD-CLASS1 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $999.43

Fee - Student Services 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $240.00

Fee - University Center 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $135.00

Fee - Rec & Well Ct 01/07/2014 Spring 2014 $84.00

Books* $600.00

Total due $9,646.00

*Steve’s educated guess.

Life Total due this semester $9,646.00

Estimated total due for a B. A. (5 semseters) $48,230.00

Coming fresh out of college with no job owing someone I don’t know $48,230 is a bit mind shattering.

Not to mention the interest.

It’s an interesting perspective for anyone considering this option. You buy freedom here. Hopefully you’ve accrued enough in your lifetime to earn some time for yourself. Or maybe you were fortunate enough to start at the top and begin on your path to self-discovery much earlier.

That’s life though. Right?

Should it be?

The Path of Ascension

“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path.”

-Khalil Gibran

HeadquartersMoody TowersAmenities:• Utilities• Free Laundry Machines• Wireless Internet• Cable• Dining Facility• Exercise Room• Lounge Areas on every floor• Nearby ATM• Vending Machines• Computer Lab• Microwave and a Mini Fridge

in every room!

EnvironmentBut wait…there’s more! The

joys of living on campus…• Fitness• Social Life• Food• My Brother• Education• Tranquility• Downtown• Bronze Cats

Recreation Center

The recreation center will be used. Often.

M.D. Anderson Library

Studying is a breeze living by the M.D. Anderson Library.

Campus OrganizationsCampus organizations are more

than plentiful.

• Student Government Association

• Volunteering• Leadership• Civic Engagements• Activities Funding Board

And much more…

Study Abroad

Opportunities are plentiful.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

- Augustine of Hippo

The Goals• Social Skills• Diversify Studies• “A” Average• Graduate• Internships• M. A.• Master Philosophic Principles

Financing

• Financial Aid• Scholarships• Loans

Nearly 20 million Americans attend college each year.

(Source: Chronicle of Higher Education)

Loans• Types of financing:– Equity

• Involves giving up a portion of the ownership of your business in exchange for money received from equity investors.

– Debt• This is money that you will pay back, usually with interest, over a

set time period and in accordance with specific terms. Some traditional sources for debt financing are banks and credit cards.

Of that 20 million, close to 12 million – or 60% - borrow annually to help cover costs.

(Source: Chronicle of Higher Education)

Equity & DebtEquity Financing• Productive

– Investor Knowledge– Larger Amounts

• Contrary– Investor Expectations – Forfeit Sole Interest

Debt Financing• Productive

– Independence– Options

• Contrary– Collateral– Borrowing Limits– INTEREST

There is roughly somewhere between $902 billion and $1 trillion in total outstanding student loan debt in the United States today. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports $902B while the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau reports $1T.

Our PlanCombining the best of both worlds, for both of

our worlds.

A Shared Investment•Debt•No Interest•Independence

•Shared Finances•Investor Knowledge•Collateral

Our Plan• Debt– As of this draft on 12/28/2013 ALL monies

borrowed from loaner until completion of baccalaureate degree will be returned in full.

– Financial situation will be kept track of by both parties and assessed after every semester.

If needed a contract can be drafted up at any time if any party feels it to be necessary.

Our Plan• No Interest– No interest will be added to any borrowed

monies.• Independence– Borrower retains ultimate control of his classes

and future, discussion is encouraged however.

Our Plan• Shared Finances– Borrower is obligated to do his best to obtain

monies from all other means including financial aid, scholarships and employment opportunities.

• Investor Knowledge– After every semester both borrower and loaner

will reconvene to assess the situation and honestly discuss all concerns and possible changes. Investor is obligated to assess borrower’s grades.

Our Plan• Collateral

Emotional & Financial RiskPotential Problem:

Will this jeopardize our relationship?

Potentially, yes. Realistically, no.

I don’t have that kind of money.

I’m welcome to renegotiating a smaller deal.

My funds are tied up in other investments.

I encourage you to see if you can move things around without being penalized.

Are you sure you’re going to commit?

I’ve laid out a plan and I’m known for my reliability.

Emotional & Financial RiskPotential Problem:

Are you sure this is the major you want?

It’s been ten years in the working and I’m ready.

I still feel this might jeopardize our relationship.

I understand there are loan administration companies.

What if we disagree after the fact?

After each semester there are renegotiation talks.

I have friends who never got a penny back.

I’ve laid out a plan that is easily understood and managed by both parties.

Consideration• Experience and Expertise– College, Life, and Love

• Business Plan– You’re looking at it.

• Collateral– Nothing

• Cash Injection– $1000 in the bank

Consideration• Credit History– Aside from over drafting, no issues.

• Personal Character

Who I am

Where I’m HeadedIdeas:• School of Emotion• Experience Flowcharts

Career Paths• Possible Political Movement• Teaching

How It Affects YouIts About Everyone• It’s About Family• It’s About Friends• It’s About Love• It’s About You• It’s About Me• It’s About Everyone

It All Starts Somewhere

“My country is the world…and my religion is to do good.”

-Thomas Paine