Post-Secondary News Digest for February 15, 2010
Canada
Tuition advocacy campaign debuts:
(The Gateway) The University of Alberta students’ union has started a campaign to inform students about proposed tuition hikes. The university’s operating budget next year will see a $59-million deficit. The university’s administration want to increase tuition and implement a $550 “non-instructional fee” to deal with it. Students’ union president Zach Fentiman argues the deficit is not the students’ fault and shouldn’t become their financial burden. The students’ union will distribute price tags and posters this week to advocate against the tuition hikes.
First Nations university may get funding:
(Winnipeg Free Press) Rob Norris, the advanced education minister of Saskatchewan, says a “new deal” is a possibility for First Nations University of Canada. Last week, the university lost $5 million in provincial funding due to alleged “financial impropriety” and concerns about governance. Norris says the $5 million will not be restored, but the new deal could see funding go through the University of Regina to allow First Nations University to remain in operation.
UBC won’t have to repay $4M in parking fines:
(The Province) The University of British Columbia has illegally collected parking fines since 1990 – but won’t have to pay them back. In 2006, a British Columbia Supreme Court Justice certified a class-action suit brought against the university by a Vancouver accountant. In March 2009, the judge ordered the university “to pay restitution of $4 million in fines” that were collected from thousands of people. However, the British Columbia Court of Appeal has now struck down the restitution order.
Lakehead U introduces new president:
(The Chronicle Journal) Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., introduced Brian Stevenson as its new president on Feb. 10. Stevenson, whose background is in foreign affairs and international trade, intends to promote research at the university when he enters office in July. He has held positions at the universities of Alberta and Winnipeg in the past. Stevenson succeeds Fred Gilbert, who was the president of Lakehead University for 12 years. Gilbert says financial matters will be Stevenson’s biggest challenge.
Chocolate could lower risk of stroke: study:
(CTV News) Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., have found chocolate could lower the risk of a stroke. They looked at a study from 2007 that determined postmenopausal women who ate chocolate once a week “were 22 per cent less likely to have a stroke” than those who did not eat any chocolate. Another study of people in Sweden suggested those “who ate 50 grams of chocolate” per week “were 46 per cent less likely to die after a stroke” than people who didn’t eat chocolate.
UVic students to launch literary journal:
(The Martlet) The creators of a new literary journal at the University of Victoria hope the publication will spark an “artistic subculture” at the school. The journal, called The Warren, will publish undergraduate students’ work to give them a chance to see their name in print for the first time. Editor-in-Chief Liam Sarsfield says The Warren will be more than fiction and poetry. It will also include critical writing, philosophy, art and graphic design.
UVic rabbit-trap scheme put on hold:
(Times Colonist) The University of Victoria launched a plan to capture the 150 feral rabbits on its campus in December, but it has run into “provincial red tape.” British Columbia’s Environment Ministry now says the university needs permits to continue capturing the rabbits. One university official says while the school will be able to meet the necessary requirements for the permits, timing is an issue. It is almost mating season for the rabbits.
Last Lynn U victim recovered in Haiti:
(Miami Herald) Britney Gengel, 19, was one of the 14 people from Lynn University in Florida who traveled to Haiti the day before the earthquake hit Port-au-Prince. Gengel’s body has just been recovered from the wreckage this weekend. She was a sophomore at the university. The team was on a humanitarian trip called “Journey of Hope” when the quake hit. Gengel was the last member to be accounted for. Eight of the 14 made it home safely.
U.S.
U of Alabama prof charged with murder:
(News Channel 5) A biology professor at the University of Alabama is being charged with three counts of capital murder and three counts of attempted murder after open firing in a faculty meeting on Friday. Amy Bishop has been a professor there for seven years. She was allegedly upset after being denied tenure. Three faculty members were killed and three more were seriously injured.
Student loan bill faces skepticism in the Senate:
(USA Today) U.S. President Barack Obama's proposal to overhaul the student loan industry is facing some opposition in the Senate this week. The proposal would end taxpayer subsidies to private lenders and instead allow the federal government to make loans directly, but key critics say it would just create more problems. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the proposal would free up billions of dollars that could go to making post-secondary education more affordable, but private lenders argue it would only lead to a decline in service, which could lead to higher default rates.
Compromise between Missouri Christian school and gay students:
(Stltoday.com) Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., has finally agreed to allow gay-straight alliance students to organize a formal society. The school, which insists it has no religious affiliation, but is rooted in a Judeo-Christian foundation, has given in to the university’s gay community as long as it doesn’t include sexual orientation in its name and include "other students in need of understanding and support." Jack Sago, the graduate student who led efforts to form the group, says this is a huge victory. The group will be called Spectrum Alliance.
Freshman success programs help retain minority students:
(U.S. News and World Report) Historically black universities and colleges are working to improve low graduation rates by creating comprehensive retention programs that help support students through their first year. Despite many colleges’ best effort to bring in a diverse student population, studies show that only about 40 per cent of under-represented minority students graduate from college within six years. Experts say this is probably due to the different economic backgrounds minority students often come from.
Med students hopeful:
(The New York Times) The U.S. is seeing a surge in new medical schools this year. More than 20 new medical schools are cropping up across the United States. The new schools will address an imbalance in the medical system. Many qualified med school hopefuls were being rejected from existing schools and were forced to leave the U.S. or try different professions. There are currently 131 accredited medical schools in the country. If all of the proposed schools actually succeed, it will represent an 18 per cent increase in medical schools.
World
Australia shutting out potential foreign students:
(University World News) Australia announced an overhaul last week of the criteria required for foreign students to seek permanent residence in the country. As a result, at least 20,000 applications have been denied - because students have poor English or their trade isn’t in demand anymore. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the changes allow Australia to choose who migrates to the country, based on who they believe can contribute the most.
Staff cuts at Leeds University on hold:
(BBC News) The United Kingdom’s universities secretary is being put in the odd position of adjudicating on the fairness of cuts he himself initiated. Lord Mandelson has asked Leeds University to delay cuts to its faculty of biological science after staff at the school claimed proper procedures were not followed. The school asked the county’s universities secretary, who is responsible for hearing university petitions, to review whether the university followed correct protocol. The staff alleges the proposed $57.5-million cuts were not accepted by the university’s senate or board of governors, bodies that must be involved according to the school’s rules.
Indian, Chinese colleges sign agreement:
(The Hindu) Holy Cross College in India and China’s Nanjing Technical College of Special Education have signed an agreement to co-operate in research. The memorandum of understanding, signed specifically between Holy Cross’ department of rehabilitation science and the Chinese school, is viewed as a milestone for the department, according to department director Sheila Christopher. The schools will share therapy materials, books, audio-video and ICT equipment as well as other resources. The schools will also hold joint conferences, seminars and training programs.
Students clash with police in India:
(One India News) Students supporting the statehood of a region in eastern India began protesting alleged police brutality today at India’s Osmania University. This came just hours after the students finished rallying for statehood of the Telangana region. Students threw stones at police, and security forces responded with batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. On Sunday, more than 30 people and six journalists were injured. Police became involved after learning of the students’ plan to praise 15 Telangana legislators who resigned amid a Telangana statehood issue.
Scottish university to open campus in London:
(BBC News) A satellite branch of Glasgow Caledonian University will offer postgraduate courses in business and finance later this year in London. The new campus, GCU London, hopes to have 100 students by September. Staff will consist of faculty from other GCU campuses and guest lecturers. University principal and vice-chancellor Pamela Gillies said the school will “raise our profile in one of the most highly attractive educational environments in the world for students wishing to study in London.” The move will cost at least $1.6 million.