OPINION Welcome our new Opinion Editor, Austin Gonzalez! A&E Antique Tacos will startle you with their modern ingredients and pI’IL‘E-tsl Page 57/ S P 0 RT 5 The new year hasn’t been nice to the Windy City’s teams, Student newspaper of the Illinois Institute of Technology since 1928 TUESDAY. , JANUARY .28. 2011: Volume 1 78 | Issue 1 techsonewiit.cm OPINION 2 CAMPUS 3 A8E 5 SLIPSTICK 6 SPORTS 7 II Up To Us gaining momuentm Utsav Gandhi CAMPUS EDITOR lIT students are participating in a nationwide campus campaign to raise awareness about the US. national debt, which, according to figures posted by the Treasury Department has jumped to over $17 trillion. “Our federal government is running a deficit, annuallyspending more than it receives in revenue. To make up for this, the US. borrows money, adding to the federal debt”, said George Batah, the leader of the Up to Us campaign which will run from January 21 to February 21. Budget experts agree that if the gap between federal revenue and spending is not reduced over the next 25 years, there will be serious consequences for our long-run growth and economic stability. Rising interest payments on the debt alone would leave fewer resources to invest in areas like education, infrastructure, and research, seriously debilitating the nation’s ability to ensure a positive economic outlook for future generations. “Deficits present fundamental ‘ . 7" .W’md Rani Shah, Student Government Association President and a member of the Up' to Us campaign at IIT. The core campaign group at HT is composed of four members who have received training to execute their own campus campaigns. The goal is to educate and engage their peers on the federal debt in fun and irnpactful ways. The winning team will receive a $10 thousand prize, and will be recognized at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative University by former president, Bill Clinton. The campus— wide campaign will include speaker events, flash mobs and debt-themed interactive games. Students enrolled in an Inter- professional Project (IPRO) class, a unique In----‘- I'l" feature of HTS curriculum where students from diflerent majors converge, will dedicate three weeks to discuss and add their insight to the debt debate. Marcelle Hana of HTS Up to Us is planning a few fun events around campus to help students understand the issue of the debt. “We will have a heavy backpack relayed from student to student for the duration of the campaign,” said Hana. “And they will take photos With it and share personal stories related to the issues surrounding the debt”. More information about the competition can be found at IIT’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/uptous or the national campaign page: httpsz/lwwwfacebook com/itsuptous.org. “Thus far we’ve really been amazed and motivated by the positive response the HT community has given us,” said Shah. “From our exuberant ambassadors to the incredible help the HT administration has offered to us, the support has been immense. The best part so far has been the Up To Us kickoff party in MSV middle lounge where our turnout came out to be nearly 100 people. We had a few small games set up and plent of food for all our supporters. The journey has been difficult, no doubt, but our team also has an amazing chemistry which I believe makes us winners already. The competition ends on February 21, and from what we’ve already experience I have no doubt that the future will only be more exciting.” The campaign has gained significant momentum since its much publicized launch on campus, with IIT currently leading the Photo courtesy of HT Up To Us national competition—thanks to the enthusiastic participation of the core team, as well as the zealous programming and marketing of its campus ambassadors. The launch kickoff event in MSV was incredibly well attended, and a lot of students have taken the initial online quiz available on the Facebook page. It is fantastic to see civic engagement and HT pride among students revolving around the critical issue of rising debt which affects us all, even more so in this increasingly globalized world. The [IT Up to Us team looks to maintain this initial momentum throughout the month of February and end the competition on a high, counting on the ultimate dream of getting to attend the prestigious Clinton Global Initiative Conference.