MARISSA HYMAN AND KAYLA HASTRUP
Staff Writers

For FDU’s Class of 2010, and many soon-to-be graduates around the country, graduation may not lead to the “real world” right away. Instead, many students are making plans to move back home.
According to an article in New York Life, that trend seems to be cyclical, especially during economically unstable times.
About 40 percent of 2008 grads still live with their parents and 42 percent of the 2006 grads surveyed said they’re still living at home, according to Monster’s 2009 Annual Entry-Level Job Outlook.
Senior Fred Wied said, “I am planning on taking a year off. That is final for me. I just need some time off before I move on with the next phase of my life.”
Wied added that he plans on working during his year off while living at home. He hopes to gain valuable experience and apply what he learned over the past four years to the real world.
“I do intend to attend grad school at some point, but not right after graduation,” he said. “I will not be worrying about that yet.”
The New York Life article cited a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, which found that 13 percent of parents with grown children say one of their adult sons or daughters has moved back home in the past year.
With the economy in the shape it is and the job market more competitive than ever, especially for young adults just graduating, it seems almost inevitable that moving back home is the next step.
Many factors contribute to the high number of graduates moving back home, but the recession has been particularly hard on young adults. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in October 2009, 15.6 percent of 20 to 24-year-olds were unemployed.
For many recent grads, it made smart economic sense to move back in with their parents, where rent tends to be either low or nonexistent. It allows them to stay comfortable while getting their finances in order.
Senior Stephanie Nunez feels that it’s the right choice, but not the smart choice, to live at home.
“At about the age of 22, graduates should try to branch out and stand on their own two feet by moving out of their parents’ home,” Nunez said. “But many graduates have paid for college with loans.”
Nunez, who has student loans to pay off, knows that she must start payments right after college, whether she has a job or not.
“These loans with their accrued interest are synonymous to the costs of paying a mortgage,” said Nunez. She also believes that because students are consuming too much, compared to what they can afford, they are, as a result, financially unstable.
Senior Vanessa Clark will be entering her fifth year at FDU as part of the QUEST program. Clark said, “I’m still undecided as to whether or not I will be staying at home or living on campus. But more than likely, I will be commuting.”
She also added that until she has a job and makes enough money to get her own place, she will be living at home.
Although it seems that the prospect of jobs and graduate school are on the horizon for the Class of 2010, housing is still uncertain. For many students, it’s not that they want to go home again, but that they have to.

ASIA YOUNG
Staff Writer

In collaboration with the Office of Alumni Relations, SGA Senior Senators Brittany Laning and Erika Baldino hosted an event on Feb. 9 at the Bottle Hill Pub to mark the countdown of 99 days until the class of 2010 walks at graduation on May 18.
There was a $3 admission charge for every participant, which entitled the guest to a glass of champagne and appetizers from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There was also the option of purchasing a decorative class t-shirt of FDU’s “devil” insignia by donating a total of $20.10, in honor of the class year, according to Beth Reuse, director of constituent programs.
By the end of the night, 100 guests were in attendance, and a total of $300 was raised. The proceeds of the entrance fee were donated to the class gift fund, with a gross amount of $1,300 assembled thus far.
“We had this event in mind since last semester, and as soon as we got back to school we started to make the preparations. We were happy with the turnout due to the fact that we only had a short amount of time to advertise for it,” said Laning, referring to the mass FDU student e-mail and Facebook announcements sent out only the day before.
Students piled in to celebrate with peers and make the toast at 11 p.m.
Senior Anthony Del Conte said the event was sentimental because he was able to interact with people whom he has not seen since freshman year.
“I came because it’s my last year of being here with everyone,” said Del Conte, who is continuing his studies at FDU through the Quest five-year master’s program come Fall 2010. “It’s really the last hurrah, I don’t want to regret anything. I’ve had a great time here, and I want to remember it.”
Other students had similar feelings. Senior Homecoming King Evan Weinstein recalled his shyness upon entering college and his social progress since then over Magic Hat 9 beer.
“Let’s put it this way: to be completely honest with you, I cannot believe how fast my college career has gone. [The] champagne toast made me realize that college is coming to an end, and I got a chance to relish in the years that I’ve been here and the friends that I made.”
Senior John Schneider was pleased to steal away with friends for the night. “We’re going to have to start thinking about careers. Reality is setting in. I think it’s a good thing they’re doing this, to bring everyone together,” he said.
While swirling the drink in his cup, Senior Dan Rolwood shared his sentiments by quoting Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” saying, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Rolwood added, “College was a next step, but now it’s time to end. We set our mark, our footprint, and it’s time for a new start.”
The commencement countdown continues, but seniors still have other events to look forward to, such as the Senior Dinner Dance on April 16, according to Laning. She also hopes to have a “50 Days ‘Til Graduation” affair.