Slashed Medicaid Budget Could Damage Vulnerable Populations

Despite losing Kevin in February of 2023, his brother, Chris Neary, understands the devastating effects that cuts in Medicaid could have on seniors and people with disabilities in the 2025 federal budget. Understandably, the US government is a business that must be conscious of expenses to balance its budget. At the same time, the Trump administration must recognize that potential cuts in Medicaid will leave a large cross-section of people already struggling with poverty in a much worse place than they are now.

Unemployment Statistics Among People with Disabilities

The unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 77.3% in 2024, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are a disabled person of color, that percentage goes even higher. Kevin was on a ventilator. He did what he could, but he was limited as to how much he could work because of his ventilator and the associated need for 24-hour care.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report further indicates that at least half of those individuals with a disability were 65 and older. To the reader, this indicates people with disabilities may want to work but cannot because they are no longer physically able to do so. Frequently, poverty is not a choice or blatant laziness. Poverty is an unfortunate outcome for bodies that may not work as well as they did in their youth. Most of us think of aging hypothetically because we have no idea what will happen to our bodies until it does. We have no choice but to live with whatever the outcome is.

In Kevin’s case, he was a hard-working young man in the prime of his life, until he was not. He had no reason to believe that he was going to be shot. No one should have to think in those terms. Despite that, Kevin rolled with the punches and made the best of the remaining years of his life. Fortunately for him, Kevin had his family’s unwavering support.
Not all people with disabilities have that kind of support and rely on Medicaid to be able to have the basic dignity of being clean, being dressed, and being part of society. No one wants to depend on others, but readers know that life happens. Too often, individuals do not get a choice in the matter. Kevin had a family who loved him, but they, too, could not commit time to care for him because they had jobs and families of their own to look after.

A recent editorial by Kathryn Anne Edwards in Bloomberg points out that Republicans may not understand that poverty is not a choice. As stated earlier, this is especially true among those with disabilities. These individuals don’t necessarily have any control over what their bodies can or cannot do. They may have a tough time with an eight-hour workday. In the editorial, a Republican was quoted, “You know, work is good for you. You find dignity in work. And the people who are not doing that, we are going to get their attention.” Most cannot argue with that logic. I ask in frustration, could politicians proposing cuts to Medicaid take on personal care attendant work in place of their current job, so that a perceived “lazy” disabled person who cannot get out of bed on their own can get help with personal cares and give them a ride to work? Probably not, and this lack of empathy is infuriating.

Roadblocks to Employment for People with Disabilities

Transportation is also hard to come by for people with disabilities if they cannot drive. Yes, there are services like Metro Mobility that can take people with disabilities and seniors to their doctors’ appointments, shopping, and other things. However, there are days when drivers don’t show up for work or call in sick. In those instances, the individuals on those routes get spread out over existing routes. They run a higher chance of being late for work or not getting picked up at all. Granted, this doesn’t happen all the time, but employers are not necessarily understanding of the situation. Add to that, if you don’t have vacation hours, losing that day of work can hurt a person’s bottom line.

I am familiar with this due to having a disability and working for a Metro Mobility provider for more than five years. Remote work is not as plentiful as it was during the pandemic. That politician preaching the virtues of employment is not going to give up their per diem and their benefits to help a person with a disability or a senior citizen keep a job.
If Medicaid is cut, then perhaps politicians should become personal care attendants so they can develop an understanding of what it’s like to be a vulnerable senior citizen or person with disabilities with limited resources and limited mobility. Readers know that when a member of the Senate or Congress suffers a heart attack or stroke, they will be well cared for because healthcare is all part of the package.

The op-ed goes on to say that Republicans believe that the poor are a permanent underclass, and poor people don’t work. This is untrue. Federal Reserve researchers state that 40% of Americans spend at least one year in poverty over a ten-year period. The poverty rate for full-time workers is 4.1%. Work and poverty do overlap. If an individual does not have paid sick leave, they risk losing their job if they call in sick or if their child is sick. Sadly, that employees’ superiors know that if they fire that person for not coming to work, other people who are just as desperate to take that low-paying job with no benefits or sick days will, because they have no choice. They need money to feed their kids and merely exist.

In conclusion, the misconception that people on Medicaid choose to live in poverty thrives because of disinformation and misinformation about the causes of poverty. The difference between misinformation and disinformation is subtle in spelling, but not in approach. Misinformation is when we unintentionally get the facts wrong when we share them. Disinformation is when we deliberately provide incorrect information to mislead. Communication between Republicans and those precariously dangling above the poverty line is non-existent. Without that necessary communication, empathy is a word without meaning. Are politicians afraid to help a fellow human being up because poverty is a disease they don’t want to be exposed to physically or philosophically? While the one percent does not try to deny the perception that they push down on everyone below them because they can. They, too, are afraid of poverty and the vulnerability that comes with it.

If only we could communicate that to each other and listen. Bipartisanship should never be just a word in the dictionary. Hashing this out among us is no different than caring for our families or our neighborhoods. We must do it for the greater good, no matter how tough it is. But we must work together. Compassion has little to do with this. No one wants to be pitied. Empathy is what is needed to understand one another and come to a resolution that includes everyone, regardless of their stage and station in life.

The first question is: Does Social Media have an overall positive or negative impact on your life?

This is a hopeful response because it is known that too much social media is not good for anyone, but if we know how to manage our time usage, be self-aware, and continue growing in other areas offline, we can have a positive relationship with social media. The overall answer is still close to a 50/50 opinion, meaning almost half of the responses did report an overall negative impact on their life. In this article we will discuss how people maintain positive relationships with their social media usage.

The second question is: Have you ever “quit” social media?

Most people reported they delete apps on and off or limit their time usage through multiple different tactics. Other people shared that they don’t use more than one type of social media and most commonly avoid the apps Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 30% of people reported they don’t use social media at all, but depending on the opinion of an individual, they may use other apps like Discord, Reddit, Pinterest, and YouTube. It seems like it’s almost impossible to meet someone who never uses social media. With its super important benefits like connecting to people from far away or greater access to information than libraries- why should we quit social media completely?

I interviewed Sociology Faculty Member, Corey Culver, and asked him “Do you think it’s possible for anybody to quit social media today completely?” He said, “Our schedules are all crazy, and it doesn’t even start at adulthood. It starts with the youth… you almost have to have some sort of social media to stay connected with peers… especially the younger generation. But I do think it is possible to quit it… it’s like quitting anything else, it almost becomes like an addiction.”

The last question in my survey to the Century College Community is open-ended. How do you manage your social media usage to avoid the negative effects?

Out of the one hundred responses, eighty-six Century College Students and Faculty wrote their advice and thoughts to share anonymously. I would say after Covid a majority of people value in-person experiences more than ever. However, Covid also sped up the ability to live virtually. I was surprised there weren’t more responses like:

• “No, because I’m addicted.”
• “I let social media ferment my brain. #livelaughlovesocialmedia #socialnetwork”
  

Those weren’t the only relatable responses, many others admitted they feel addicted to social media too.

• “It’s out of instinct to open my phone and scroll reels or TikTok.”
• “It runs my life.”
• “I truly have an addiction to social media, but I am also happy outside of social media.”
  

To avoid negative impacts on their personal life, the Century College Community limits their time on social media, avoids “doom scrolling”, participates in many activities offline, and interacts only with beneficial, positive, or educational content. There’s other tactics people try in order to decrease the negative aspects.

• “I made specific social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Wattpad and other apps that are specifically tweaked in the algorithms to show wholesomeness, educational videos or posts and have little to no political influences. That way when I need a break from the typical toxicity and drama online, I switch to a different account to engage in nicer, less stressful or negative forms of social media.”
• “I have my phone on black and white mode, and I keep my social media apps on a 15 minute/day time limit. When I’m done using them for the day, I delete the app. If I want to use it again the next day I have to redownload the app from the AppStore. All of these methods give me a chance to stop and think about how much time I spend on social media”
• “I take periodic breaks from most social media platforms, and I don’t take everything I see super seriously.”

The best advice was also the most simple and common. Turn off all notifications, check screen time to monitor your social media usage, be self-aware, and have passion offline. Balancing social media usage can then increase the positive impact it has.

• “I love social media, I usually use it to communicate with my family and friends who live far away. I use it for laughs and to watch fun videos. I can also use it to study and see new helpful information.”
• “I only follow content that pushes me to be better without bringing me down. I mostly use it as a tool to learn…”
• “I watch a lot of mentality and motivation videos, I think they impact my positive attitude”
• “I met a lot of my good friends online! I make sure I have a balance between the real world and online world “

Instead of downloading another dating app, go out and start conversations with others. Instead of playing video games or watching TV every night, practice dancing in your room, play a group card game, sing karaoke, go to the gym, or read a book in the library. There is so much joy to be had in life, and as Hannah Montana sings, “Life is what you make it so let’s make it rock,” therefore how social media impacts your life is up to you. The power is in our hands.

Andrew Dahlke is a Century student enrolled in the Business Pathway Transfer program, who stumbled upon the Creative Writing Club in the spring of 2025. He is hoping to gain admission into Saint Cloud St. University to pursue a Finance major.  His favorite genre of writing is horror/mystery and his favorite author is Stephen King.  His hobbies include playing the drums, snowboarding & ice skating, basketball, and going to the cinema.

Stamp once, then twice, lead out men and mice.
In line they follow, no nose or eye to warn them,
Forego the trap, all ready your vice.

Cry stones on pillowed shore and turn sunlight to ice.
Wring stomach, fat, till thinly crucified they clem,
Stamp once, then twice, lead out men and mice.

Lift up silken bowls of blood, lapping tongues they entice,
And snatch the teeth from men whom you condemn.
Forego the trap, all ready your vice.

Climb out from your carapace and stand in fields of lice.
Blind the ear of him smelling the clandestine mayhem,
Stamp once, then twice, lead out men and mice.

Forsake the scalpel, sharp wit suffice,
Between the mind and soul place a vulgar hem.
Forego the trap, all ready your vice.

Plant a tiny seed, which grow in an infinite trice;
Rot of thee, blossomed from the wanton stem.
Stamp once, then twice, lead out men and mice;
Forego the trap, all ready your vice.

(First appeared in Cathexis Northwest Press on March 1st, 2025)

When I started my spring semester here at Century, like many others, I was wondering why the West Campus main entry was closed off to the public. After asking around, I understood that the theatre was being renovated, but I wasn’t satisfied with just that simple of an answer. Therefore, I reached out to multiple people.
Paul Aberasturi, who is from the Theatre Program and is overseeing the renovations, was kind enough to fit me into his busy schedule and explain what the renovations specifically entail. When you approach his office, you notice multiple people rushing in and out—whether they’re students, staff, or even construction workers.
Finally, it was time for my interview. We talked a little bit about the musicals he directed and what I’m studying at Century, and then I got to asking.

Why the New Renovations?

Me: “So, why the new renovations?”
Paul: “The last time the theater was renovated was when it was built… and that was during the ’60s, so it needed an update.”
Paul then went on to talk about how, even though there were minor updates made throughout the years—such as fixing stage lights and upgrading sound systems—there were more major renovations that needed to be made.

What Are the Major Renovations?

Me: “More major renovations? Like what?”
Paul: “Well, the chairs needed a big upgrade. They were old, uncomfortable, small, and a lot of people had issues when it came to seeing the main stage. And aesthetically we needed a more grand looking entry, I always say that the Century theatre is like big college football games, people come for the even then leave knowing a bit more about what the institution has to offer”

Addressing Accessibility Concerns

Me: “And what about accessibility concerns? Are they being taken into consideration?”
Paul: “Yes! This was one of the main issues we sought out to solve. The theatre had just a couple of seats at the very back for people who needed wheelchairs and nothing when it came to hearing and visual impairment. We’re going to be including a side doorway that leads to seats much closer to the stage so those issues could be resolved. It’s my wholehearted belief that everyone deserves to enjoy theatre without it being such a hassle.”

Why Is the Renovation Happening Now?

Me: “Why is this renovation happening just now then? This seems to me like a major issue.”
Paul: “Well, it’s actually been a long time coming. Even when I was being interviewed 10 years ago for this position, I was asked if remodeling the theatre would be something I would be willing to do.”

Interview with Ainsley Abbott on Century Theatre Renovations

Ainsley Abbott is a student at Century College who will be performing as part of the ensemble in the upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar this fall. This musical will be the first production held in the newly renovated theatre, serving as an exciting introduction to the updated space.

Excitement for the Renovations

Me: “How are you feeling about these new renovations?”
Ainsley: “I’m excited! Paul always says that Century’s theatre is like other universities’ football teams—people come to see one thing but then learn about all the other great things the institution has to offer!”

Impact on Rehearsals

Me: “Did these renovations hinder the experience of recitals?”
Ainsley: “No, not really. It all seemed meticulously planned. Singing and dancing rehearsals are taking place in the choir room, so we don’t need to be on stage yet. And by the time we do, the renovations will be done.”

Final Thoughts

Me: “Anything else you would like to say?”
Ainsley: “I’m just glad that the theatre is finally being properly renovated and that more students in the future will get to have this experience.”

Interview with AK Khan on Century Theatre Renovations

AK Khan, the vice president of finance at Century College, was unable to meet in person but was kind enough to provide insights via email regarding the theatre renovations. His responses shed light on the planning, funding, and impact of the project.

Expanding Opportunities for Theatre Use

According to Khan, the renovations will open up numerous opportunities for the theatre’s use. Beyond enhancing college theatre and music performances, the updated space will support theatre classes, student activities, faculty and staff events, and even external group rentals. The goal is to make the theatre a more versatile and widely utilized resource for the campus and surrounding community.

The Planning Process

The renovation planning was a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff, administrators, and some students over nearly two years. Numerous meetings and discussions were held to evaluate every detail, ensuring that decisions aligned with the needs of students, faculty, and the broader community while supporting the college’s educational mission.

Adjustments During Construction

During the renovation period, temporary adjustments were necessary. The fall and winter productions were relocated to the Hanifl Theatre in White Bear Lake, introducing the Century College theatre program to a new audience. Theatre classes were moved to a nearby room, which proved to be an effective solution. Despite the challenges, the college managed to complete the renovations with minimal disruption.

Funding the Renovation

Like other public colleges and universities, Century College allocates funds for facility improvements when state funding, such as the Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) and Capital Bonding, falls short. Over the past three years, the college has used these funds for various upgrades, including:
The Kopp Student Center
Cafeteria refresh on East and West campuses
The art gallery adjacent to the theatre
Additional restrooms on both campuses
Renovation of Lincoln Mall on East Campus
Safety upgrades, such as automatic door locks and security cameras
A new paint booth for the Auto Body program

Budget and Future Contributions

A theatre renovation of this scale typically costs around $3.5 million or more, depending on design choices. However, with careful planning and coordination from faculty and the project team, the budget was set at $2.3 million. Once completed, the upgraded theatre will be a point of pride for the entire community.
Additionally, the college plans to create a Donor Wall in the lobby outside the theatre. Through the Century College Foundation, donors will have the opportunity to contribute philanthropically, including sponsoring theatre seats.

Clarification on Funding Sources

Khan emphasized that Federal Student Aid (Title IV) funds are not and would never be used for this or any similar project. The college relies on appropriate funding sources to ensure that financial aid remains dedicated to student educational expenses.

Conclusion

Overall, Century College’s theatre renovations modernize the space, improving accessibility and functionality for students, faculty, and the community. Conversations with Paul Aberasturi, AK Khan, and Ainsley Abbott reveal that this project is more than an upgrade but an investment in the college’s performing arts program and student experience.
Carefully planned and financially balanced, the renovation enhances theatre productions while expanding opportunities for events and activities. As Jesus Christ Superstar debuts in the new space, excitement grows for its long-term impact. More than just a performance venue, the updated theatre symbolizes growth, inclusivity, and the enduring power of the arts.

This letter has been the source of unrest and worry for many faculty, staff, and students due to the huge changes concerning many aspects of student and faculty life implied to come based on its contents. To try and understand what the letter means, and what it means for Century specifically, we must first understand what a “Dear Colleague” letter is.

A “Dear Colleague” letter is “one of the primary communication types used to convey guidance regarding the Title IV federal student aid programs.” It is a mass communication sent out by the federal government to education institutions (and other bodies) that informs them of their interpretation of policy mainly regarding Title IX and now Title VI.

This letter specifically is an announcement of the sitting government’s reinterpretation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 based upon the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard United States Supreme Court case. This 2023 ruling outlawed affirmative action for most college admissions processes.

What exactly follows is legally difficult to understand, as well as ambiguous. The overarching message, however, is clear: Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are declared illegal. The letter continues, stating that “treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent.”

The letter lists what colleges and universities are required to do to comply with the letter at the risk of losing their federal funding. “[Institutions must] (1) ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law; (2) cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies or other indirect means to accomplish such ends; and (3) cease all reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses, or aggregators that are being used by institutions in an effort to circumvent prohibited uses of race.” 

What does this mean for Century College, Minnstate, and the nation as a whole?

The answer is unclear.

What the federal government specifically wants educational institutions to discontinue is not plainly and openly laid out. College and University administrators across the country fear that they will need to make changes at the risk of being fined or losing federal funding, which will universally harm students, faculty, and staff.

Whatever is to come, Century College and its students will push forward, according to administrators.

In a recent Student Senate meeting addressing the issue at hand, Century administrators provided a statement on their vision for our college: Century College is, and will continue to be, open and supportive of all students no matter their background, history, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, or identity.

I recently enjoyed visiting Mi Sant Kitchen and Bakery at 1881 West Hwy. 36 in Roseville over spring break. I tried a couple of filled croissants from takeout in the past, and I decided to try a few other things on their menu. They have a variety of croissant variations, Bánh mì sandwiches, croissant breakfast sandwiches, salads, and rice and noodle bowls. The drink menu includes coffee, Vietnamese coffee, bubble tea, milk tea, and shakes.

I chose the grilled pork Bánh mì, a Vietnamese coffee, a fresh strawberry cream croissant, an almond chocolate croissant, and a coconut croissant. For the record, I didn’t eat everything at once, and I was sharing the food with someone else.

The pork Bánh mì was amazing with its lean, smoky, grilled slices of pork nestled in a crunchy on the outside yet tender on the inside baguette. The typical additions to the Bánh mì are mayonnaise, jalapeño, cilantro, cucumber, pickled daikon (radish) and shredded carrot. I added everything but the mayonnaise. I’m not a fan. The veggie combination with the grilled pork was a wonderful surprise because the veggies added a wonderful layer of crunch. I thoroughly enjoyed this choice and will gladly eat the grilled pork Bánh mì again. I may add more of the grilled pork to the sandwich next time. You have that choice for a charge of $2.50.

I washed the Bánh mì down with a strong, slightly sweet Vietnamese coffee because of sweetened condensed milk. I could easily drink this instead of my Starbucks standby, an iced caramel macchiato. The price point of this drink was comparable at $6.49 for a 16-ounce cup. I feel that it’s comparable because I usually get an extra shot of espresso in my Starbucks macchiato. Vietnamese coffee’s strong and rich flavor made an extra shot of espresso seem unnecessary.

After finishing the Bánh mì, I moved to the fresh strawberry cream croissant. This pastry was even more delightful in flavor than its visual presentation, with strawberries and whipped cream on the inside and a light dusting of powdered sugar on the outside. I was worried about making a mess with the first bite, but fortunately, the filling was well-balanced within the croissant, so nothing was lost. I savored every bite.

At home, I tried the coconut croissant but was disappointed because the coconut flavor never materialized. I knew I was eating shredded coconut based on its texture, but I couldn’t taste it. Lastly, I tried the almond chocolate croissant. The chocolate inside was dark and sweet. This flavor complemented the buttery flavor of the croissant and the slivered almonds on the outside. I enjoyed this, but my heart belongs to the strawberry cream croissant.                                                                                                               That is, until I find a new favorite on my next visit.

The service inside the restaurant was fast and friendly. I was concerned that my order would take a while because it was Saturday and the place was crowded. However, I had my order within 15 minutes. The space inside the restaurant was well arranged because even though it was crowded, I navigated the room easily. I recommend this place because you’re bound to find something you like. Mi Sant, in addition to the Roseville location, has a second location in Brooklyn Park at 8540 Edinburgh Centre Dr. The restaurant name at this location is Mi Sant Bahn Mi Co. The hours for both locations are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 9 PM.

What is a Lune?
It’s a format of poetry similar to a Haiku but instead of 5:7:5, it goes 5:3:5. This is to account for the differences of word length and language between Japanese and English. 17 ‘syllables’ in Japanese have different abilities than in English, so they were made shorter to account for this!
Named ‘Lune’ for the crescent shape the sentences make, they were thought up by American poet Robert Kelly. They have no seasonal theming, unlike Haikus, so anyone can write about anything to their heart’s content!

In our modern, busy world, few people choose to spend their precious time interacting with and enjoying theatre. Local outreach program, On Stage, is looking to change this. The founder of On Stage, Lucas Erickson, comes from a strong theatre background.

In an interview I held with Erickson, he recalled the various jobs he had in the scene leading up to the beginning of On Stage, from lighting design to working with the education department of the Guthrie theater to promote Shakespeare to the younger generation. Erickson eventually independently took on the role of educator when he founded On Stage—what he calls a touring educational group.

Now, he travels alongside other educators with On Stage to schools and communities across the state to hold discussions centered around upcoming productions in the Twin Cities. Their efforts create open dialogue while simultaneously supporting local theatre companies. So far, On Stage reports they have reached over 7,500 students and those in the community here in Minnesota.

On Stage has visited Century College multiple times throughout the years, and I have had the pleasure of sitting in on several of the discussions. One thing is congruent between all discussion sessions: there is always a sense of openness. Chairs are arranged in a circle whenever possible to promote conversation, and in hybrid courses where some students are over Zoom, the educators work to include those joining virtually. Collaborative conversation versus “teaching at” students is the goal here; “[we wanted to] have everyone be a teacher and really just facilitate a conversation… That’s just so much more meaningful,” said Erickson. Meaningful is certainly an appropriate word for the impact On Stage is creating.

The most recent discussion On Stage brought to Century College centered around the play Invisible Fences that will run March 6-15 at Open Eye Theatre located in downtown Minneapolis. Invisible Fences is a play both written and performed by musician Gaelynn Lea and writer Kevin Kling and accompanied by instrumentalist Jeremy Ylvisaker.
The play is described on Open Eye Theatre’s website as a “unique theatrical experience celebrating Disability Culture.” Told as a fable following the two characters, The Largroff and The Grasshopper, Invisible Fences “touches on identity, disability, and the stories we tell ourselves.” Invisible Fences promises to be a gem of a show, but it won’t be around for long, so be sure to get tickets as soon as possible. For accessibility at the show, there will be captioning and ASL interpretation, as well as narrated descriptions. Masks are mandated at all performances.

Purchase tickets here
Find more information on accessibility at Open Eye here

Moreover, the Fab Lab can be thought of as a library where all of its resources are open to Century students and require no background skills to use at all. The numerous equipment available to use include: a laser engraver, mini-mills, sign cutter, 3D printer, sticker printer, and embroidery machine. For any questions or inquiries, Jason Huebscher is the manager of the lab who can help! He explained to me that the Fab Lab is pretty much self-led by the students along with him overseeing and answering/helping those with questions. He can be emailed at Jason.huebscher@century.edu for any inquiries!

Additionally, just like how you may have a time limit on the study rooms in the library, there is a two-hour time limit on 3D printing currently implemented so that multiple students may use the machines. Nonetheless, this does not mean you cannot print an item that may take longer than two hours. It is just asked that you print during the after hours of the lab. The usage of the resources are absolutely flexible meaning Jason will accommodate (within limits) any requests. There have been students that print something overnight and return the following day to pick it up and more often than not, once an item has been printed, they usually stay in the same spot unless another student needs the machine. So in this case, the item will be stored in one of the cubicles on the wall awaiting its pick up.

To sum it up, if you’re looking for a gift idea or have a personal project that may be missing a piece, you can always stop by the Fab Lab to get it! Come print, laser, embroider, and more and while you wait, you can relax, work on homework, or come back later.