With graduation approaching fast, many questions loom in the minds of every graduate. “What will life after college look like?” “Will I be able to find a job?” “How will I pay off this student debt?”

There was a time when a college degree meant increased opportunities. The Associated Press estimates nearly 53 percent of college graduates are either unemployed or underemployed. Many students are faced with debt upwards of $20,000 before they even enter the workforce.

As more states permit bills granting in-state tuition and higher education opportunities to undocumented residents, students need to push legislators to pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.

The DREAM Act would cancel the removal of certain undocumented students if they met a series of requirements, according to the text of the bill. The eligibility criteria includes entering the nation at or under 16 years old, a U.S. high school diploma, equivalent or college education and living in the country for at least five years. The bill would allow states to determine residency for higher education and military purposes. In addition, undocumented students would be eligible for federal work study and student loans. States could decide whether to provide financial aid to the students, according to the Immigration Policy Center. Above all, it would provide a way for undocumented students to become legal permanent residents with citizenship.

The economic sequester may seem like a confusing web of financial information to some, but it is important students become well informed and contact their local representatives about the proposed budget cuts.

Congress passed a law in 2011 that stated arbitrary and automatic budget cuts would occur if legislators could not agree on a deficit plan, according to a statement by the White House. A series of budget cuts were then put into effect March 1 after Congress failed to come to a consensus on reducing the deficit by $4 trillion. The cuts are concentrated across the board, affecting everything from military readiness to public health initiatives, educational training and employment. Every state is affected in some way, and without action from Congress, the effects of budget cuts known as the sequester will become increasingly harmful.

A local bar recently served its final drinks, taking a little bit of the wind out of the sails of San Marcos’ social scene.

Restless Wind serviced San Marcos residents and Texas State students for almost 40 years. The bar had its last call March 18 after decades of being San Marcos’ go-to location for good drinks, great music and even better conversation.

A greater number of students at Texas State should consider taking classes or minoring in Mandarin Chinese, a language with more speakers in the world than any other.

The university’s Chinese program has been on rocky footing for a while now. The program was on the chopping block not long ago because of relatively low enrollment and little funding. The Chinese program began in the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. The program was moved to the Department of Modern Languages when the university received a project grant in 2009, according to an April 5, 2011 University Star article. The Chinese courses were then pushed back out of the modern languages department to extension-only offerings after the 2011-2012 academic year.

With upcoming construction projects driving up the costs of convenient living spaces in the city, apartment complexes should take steps to make rent prices more affordable for students and residents.

San Marcos is a growing community of about 50,000 residents, with students making up a large percentage of the city’s total population. It is important local apartment complexes attempt to better cater to the ever-increasing student demographic.

Though students have limited choices for Associated Student Government executive representatives this election, the two candidates must find ways to execute feasible initiatives, giving students a greater voice with the administration and community.

Vanessa Cortez, public relations junior, and Eddie Perez, public relations senior, are running for president and vice president respectively on a platform with a variety of plans to impact the student body.  The duo’s campaign centers largely on pride with specific attention to the presence of Texas State T-shirts around campus, affordability and an increase of ASG communication with the student body and administrators.

It is up to the Associated Student Government candidates and voters alike to work together to ensure the atmosphere at Texas State is improved next year.

Anticlimactically, there is only one executive ticket running this year. ASG Chief of Staff Vanessa Cortez and Senator Edward Perez are this year’s sole candidates for president and vice president.

Cortez and Perez, public relations junior and senior, respectively, are running on the all-too broad campaign slogan, “Bobcats for a better tomorrow.” Additionally, parts of the Cortez-Perez ticket’s platform leave much to be desired.

Although Vemma, an Arizona-based energy drink company, is gaining popularity at Texas State, students must be well-informed and careful to avoid getting swept up in quick money-making promises.

Success in companies like Vemma requires a complete lifestyle shift for many students, in which lots of time is devoted to selling products and recruiting friends and family. Students can purchase bulk packages of Vemma’s Verve energy drink in packages of $500 and $1,000 as part of the company’s model. Although significant profits are possible from drink sales, the Vemma craze taking over campus is a result of grandiose promises to students like six-figure incomes, financial freedom and free cars.

Numerous bills are being filed this legislative session that will greatly affect the future of higher education, including Texas State. Whether they debate concealed carry or funding veteran programs, it is important state representatives keep the best interest of the universities in mind.

The Hazlewood Act, a worthwhile program providing tuition-exempt credit hours for veterans and their dependents, is one of the many topics legislators are bringing to the forefront for discussion. The predicted future of the program will be determined through a variety of different bills put forth by representatives.