Archive for September, 2010

Sometimes viewed as distant and uncompromising by his team, Aaron Hotchner is nonetheless an integral part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI, maintaining close relationships with the other profilers while leading them in organized hunts for serial killers all over the United States. Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner is the Unit Chief and a Supervisory Special Agent, often introduced as “SSA Hotchner.”

Family Finances

Hotch was married to his high school sweetheart, Haley, until the middle of the third season of “Criminal Minds”, and they have a son together named Jack. Haley gets tired of raising Jack alone while Hotch travels around the country in search of evil, and she finally serves him with divorce papers following their separation.

Divorce is always expensive, but it is obvious from the occasions when we see Hotch’s home that he does not want for money. FBI agents, according to PayScale.com, make between $54,000 and $109,000 per year, including bonuses and other adjustments. It is reasonable to assume that Hotch’s salary is on the higher end of the spectrum because of his supervisory position.

SSA Hotchner has a law degree and came to the BAU following a career as a prosecutor. Following the divorce, he would have had to pay child support at a minimum, and perhaps spousal support, in addition to covering his own living expenses.

Life on the Road

It is implied that the BAU team spends a significant portion of their time away from home, chasing serial killers in such locales as Boston, Houston and San Francisco. Hotch might not spend much money on entertainment, and he likely fills out an expense report for the money he spends on the road.

Professionals who travel for their jobs frequently use credit cards in order to keep their expenses straight. This means that while he racks up receipts to submit to the Bureau, he can earn frequent flier miles, cash rewards and other benefits from his credit cards.

Single Parenthood

Hotchner’s ex-wife dies in the middle of season five, at the hands of the Boston Reaper, whom Hotchner has been chasing with his team. Hotch is left the single father of Jack; he takes a temporary leave of absence from the FBI and considers retiring completely to take care of his son.

Washington D.C. has a high cost of living and high real estate prices, but Hotch doesn’t have to pay for ’round-the-clock care for Jack. Haley’s sister volunteers to watch her nephew while Hotch is out of town or on assignment, which relieves a significant financial burden.

Because Hotch does not lead an expensive lifestyle, he could easily profit from lucrative investments that supplement his current income.

Steve Thompson

Affinity Agreements Still a Moneymaker for Higher Education

A common moneymaker in collegiate circles is the sale of alumni and students’ information through the use of affinity agreements. Many believed that the passage of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 would curtail these business practices, but a clause allows these credit card programs to continue provided they disclose their dealings. The act does not cover other industries. The question many parents and students are asking is “Can the school sell my personal information?” The answer is yes and it is still legal.

In higher education, affinity agreements have become an excellent way to make money and many companies take advantage these programs. They provide car rental discounts, mobile communication packages, campus Internet access and even vending machine displays. Companies encourage students to sign up for special offers or services and the university financially benefits.

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 brought the use of these programs to the public’s attention, but it does not abolish the practice. It only limits banking affinity agreements and protects students until graduation. Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick J. Murphy (D-8th District) has proposed additional disclosure measures focusing on financial institutions. It is unclear as to whether Murphy supports abolishing the practice of all affinity agreements.

Under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, colleges and universities must publicly disclose their marketing relationships with credit agencies but it does not restrict the college or university from providing the names of alumni for marketing purposes. Credit card agencies must now submit an annual report containing full disclosure of their dealings on campus. The report includes all business, marketing, promotional agreements and an account of all credit cards issued to both student and alumni.

J.P Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and Bank of America have signed affinity agreements with many universities and colleges. The media tends to focus on Bank of America since it has been the most forthcoming in the publishing the extent of their affinity agreements. According to a November 30, 2009 press release, the bank has 800 collegiate endorsements including 70 percent of the schools in the Big 10, Big East and Pac-10 athletic conferences and five of the eight Ivy League schools. The question alumni must ask is how are these revenues from banks and other companies used to benefit students. The 2009 the Credit Card Act did not require this disclosure.

Anastasia Zoldak