TRUCKER HEROES
Their cooperation helped to save a life
Kudos to the unnamed truckers who helped save the suicidal man clinging to the overpass on Interstate 94 ("Truckers lined up rigs to help save suicidal man," April 17). People are often too quick to bash truck drivers, but this was a heartwarming example of how quickly they reacted to help out a person they didn't know.
SHARON RINGSTROM, BUFFALO, MINN.
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STUDENT DEBT
Use technology to keep student costs down
Several recent articles have discussed the immense student loan debt that college students are acquiring. In addition, rising tuition costs, the price of textbooks and other required materials also present a hefty financial burden to students.
The amount of money students receive for selling back their textbooks is often minimal compared with the amount of money they have to invest in them.
Advances in technology have made it possible for students to access information for free or for much less than the price of a textbook. Courses should be designed to maximize the use of cost-saving technology and reduce the number of additional expenses.
Simple changes, such as choosing less-expensive materials, using technology and requiring students to purchase materials only when absolutely necessary, will help to keep costs down.
While textbooks and other course materials account for only a portion of student expenses, reducing this cost could save them thousands of dollars over the course of their educations.