education

1) defaulting, student loans, debt
2) its important because because it is making education less attractive and not for everyone
3)http://www.npr.org/2011/05/16/136214779/college-student-debt-grows-is-it-worth-it
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Everyones-Talking-About-The-Student-Debt-Crisis-132334023.html
http://www.credit.com/press/statistics/student-credit-and-debt-statistics.html
http://www.asa.org/policy/resources/stats/default.aspx
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/college/story/2011-10-19/student-loan-debt/50818676/1
COLLEGE IS NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT

EDucation

http://wvgazette.com/News/201110170198
this wouldnt be good because it deals with attending school during summer as opposed to increasing education. it doesnt outline the problems.
http://cber.uky.edu/Downloads/kentucky_education_reform_act.htm
this is good because it deals with education reform. it outlines the problems and it occurs in our own states.

draft 2

Does Lexington, Kentucky deserve a new arena?

By Adam Kegley

A forty-five-person task force has been appointed by the city of Lexington to determine whether to renovate Rupp Arena or construct a new arena. I believe that the existing thirty-five year old Rupp Arena is great for the city and should remain and receive renovations. A new arena would cost the city at least $250 million. A renovation would cost much less than that. It’s hard to imagine Lexington, while facing a budget shortfall putting up that kind of money. If a new Rupp Arena were to be built it would also cost at or around $5 million to demolish the existing and historic Rupp Arena. It seems to me that the increased support is due to jealousy. Louisville’s new KFC YUM! Center is the envy of Lexington. Kentucky basketball is considered far superior to Louisville’s team and people think a new arena will keep them ahead.

The University of Kentucky would also help finance the arena and would have to raise money for the project and a good way to do so would be to raise the already expensive ticket prices. Some of Kentucky's hardcore fans and long time fans would be left out in the cold for their inability to pay the rising prices. Kentucky would raise the annual K fund price, which is similar to a personal seat license. (You have to pay a fee to purchase the tickets).

In the year 2010 Rupp Arena held about 52 events while Nashville's Bridgestone Arena held over 150 events. How can the city justify building an arena while the current arena is seldom used compared to other arenas? Keep in mind that the city just built an arena that is rarely used. The Alltech arena was constructed for the World Equestrian games and most of the time it just sits empty. There is no sense in building another new arena for the city to be used, on average, once a week.

Rupp Arena is one of the classic cathedrals of college basketball. It's up there with Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, Kansas's Allen Field House, and Indiana’s Assembly Hall. Louisville's Freedom Hall used to be a classic and then Louisville built the KFC YUM! Center and now they play in a less than classic arena. No one would ever bring up replacing Cameron Indoor stadium or Allen Fieldhouse and there is no reason that Lexington and the University of Kentucky should either. When you think Kentucky basketball you think of Rupp. It’s home to the winningest program in NCAA history. Rupp Arena is one of the last traditional arenas to host the NCAA Final Four. It’s one of the greatest places to see a game. Why should we change this? It is such a great arena and it would be a great injustice for it to be replaced.

            If the city and the University of Kentucky were to build the new arena, its construction, which is right next to Rupp Arena in one of its parking lots would wreck havoc on the traffic throughout. There would be fewer parking spots for events held in Rupp while construction is ongoing.

Many people want the great amenities of the new arena. They want chair backs throughout the arena; they want a jumbotron hanging from the roof, and a bigger concourse area. Many people are also calling for luxury suites. They arena would struggle to sell many of the suites during non-basketball events.

A new arena would look great for the city. There is no denying that. The money just isn’t there for a new arena. A renovation would still give Rupp Arena a great makeover with most of the great amenities that you would find at new arenas and it would still be the pride of the University of Kentucky and the city of Lexington.