Post-Secondary News Digest for October 28, 2009
Canada
Dorms go deluxe as universities scoop up hotels:
( The Globe and Mail) McGill has snapped up the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on the outskirts of downtown Montreal and turned it into a residence. The slumping industry has put many hotels in Canada on the market at deeply discounted rates. Enrolment is up and so is the number of students who want to live in residence. Despite being $2,000 per year more expensive than other residences, the newly converted Sheraton hotel is already at 99 per cent capacity, said Michael Porritt, McGill’s executive director of residences.
U of A gives students battling flu reprieve:
( Metro News) The University of Alberta is allowing students with flu-like symptoms to defer exams without a doctor’s note. The recent decision by administrators implements an “honour system” as part of an effort to stifle the spread of H1N1. “There’s always a chance that a student might not be prepared for an exam and cheat the system,” said Vice-President of student life Nick Dehod, “though, it’s not in their self-interest to get behind in their classes.” He said professors are keeping a close eye on students for possible abuse of the new system.
U of T tops in research money:
( Canada Newswire) The University of Toronto attracted by far the most research funding of any Canadian university, according to a report by a Canadian consulting firm. At $844.9 million, the university had nearly double the amount of funding of its next-closest competitor – the University of Alberta, at $491.7 million. "The public sector has obviously made a decision not to cut research support,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource, which conducted the study.
Tuition hikes make Ont. most expensive in Canada:
( The Brock Press) Statistics Canada's university tuition report says Ontario students face the highest tuition rates in the country, topping Nova Scotia, which previously held the title. Undergraduate fees in Ontario have surpassed the national average by more than $1,000 and graduate tuition fees exceeded the average by $2,600. Universities are prevented from raising tuition by more than five per cent a year. The numbers released by Statistics Canada indicate that every institution in Ontario raised tuition by the full five per cent, nearly $300.
McGill reviewing conduct of prof:
( Montreal Gazette) McGill University says it will need several more weeks to wrap up its internal inquiry into one of its senior professors. Barbara Sherwin, who spent more than 25 years studying hormones, confirmed she allowed her name to appear in a scientific article written by a ghost writer from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The article was one of 26 pieces prepared for Wyeth by professional writers that have become the subject of a lawsuit tabled against the pharmaceutical company.
Students, community invited to collect food on Halloween night:
( Daily Gleaner) St. Thomas University students in Fredricton, N.B., will hit the streets with pillow cases and book bags collecting food instead of candy for Halloween. Students are also raising money for the Fredericton Food Bank, the Fredericton Community Kitchen and Student Food Bank. Students, faculty members, alumni, community groups, and Frederictonians are invited to cover the streets, clad in costumes, in order to support local outreach programs by collecting canned goods from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
U.S.
Enrolment soaring at U of Phoenix:
( Inside Higher Education) Enrolment at the for-profit University of Phoenix has grown to 443,000 students, the college announced Oct. 27. The figure is up 22 per cent from last year. Associate degrees were the highest in demand, rising by 37 per cent, to 201,200 students. The numbers could make the university bigger than the entire California State University System, which had 437,000 students in fall 2008.
Decline in college degrees threatens U.S. global competitiveness:
( American Association of State Colleges and Universities) A study by the the American Association of State Colleges and Universities concludes that a drop in the number of college degrees, particularly in the sciences, is threatening the nation’s edge in the world marketplace. The report shows that the United States and Germany were the only two nations where those aged 25–34 have attained less education than their parents’ generation. While higher education was once a premier U.S. strength, many countries are promoting their own schools and seeking to educate their students at home.
NCAA pulls plug on penalty:
(Inside Higher Education) An appeals committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association has reversed a decision earlier this year that banned a Washington State football team from competing in the playoffs. The association had punished the team for allowing four players who did not meet academic qualifications to practice and receive team funding. The association put the Eastern Washington Eagles on a three-year probation, reduced the number of football coaches and restricted the remaining coaches’ authority.
First terrorism studies degree approved:
( Inside Higher Education) The Monterey Institute of International Studies in California has announced a new master’s degree program in nonproliferation and terrorism studies beginning during the fall 2010. The program will be the first of its kind internationally. “This new degree program will give our students the opportunity to be part of the solution to two of the world’s most pressing problems,” said Institute President Sunder Ramaswamy.
NFL to aid ex-players who reported mental problems:
( Google News) A study conducted by the University of Michigan suggests that retired pro football players may have a higher rate of Alzheimer's disease or other memory afflictions. The NFL quickly pointed out that the study did not prove a link between concussions and memory disorders and was "a telephone survey and not a true medical diagnosis." The study's lead author, David Weir, has said the results show the topic is worth further study but does not prove a causal link between playing football and later mental troubles.
World
Scottish grads told to pay up:
(BBCnews) Scottish university graduates may have to start paying to complete their degree. Sir Andrew Cubie, who pushed the Scottish National Parliament to scrap all tuition fees, is now recommending that Scottish students pay up after they graduate. Scotland doesn’t charge students during their studies however, Scottish universities are facing financial pressures and some believe they will become underfunded and unable to compete if new revenue isn’t found.
Racism pardon in South Africa:
(University World News) Tempers are flaring in South Africa at the University of Free State. The school’s new vice-chancellor has issued pardons to four white students who were shown on video harassing black cleaners at the school. The pardon was part of a move to promote racial harmony but there has been an extreme backlash to the move. Some are upset because the pardon did not take the feeling of those affected into account. Protesters have threatened to make the school ungovernable if the pardon is accepted.
China’s Ivy League:
( The Chronicle of Higher Education) China’s Ministry of Education has reached an agreement among an elite league of nine universities that will make it easier for students to exchange credits. Included in the group are Peking University, Tsinghua University and Fudan University. The Chinese government began an overhaul of its post-secondary education system in the late 90s and since has spent millions on universities.
Outsourced email offers savings:
(The Australian) Outsourcing student email could save universities up to $487,800 annually according to Richard Notham, general manager of the Council of Australian University Directors of Information Technology. It would also free up valuable space on university servers. The two companies offering free email are Microsoft and Google but many question how long the services will remain free. The companies are competing for loyalty at the moment and may eventually charge fees or plug advertising into student email.
The rules of university:
( Times of Higher Education) A U.K. professor of higher education management has created nine tongue-in-cheek rules for academic life. The observations, created by Sir David Watson, who teaches at the Institute of Education, include clever quips such as “Feedback counts only if I agree with it” and “there is never enough money, but there used to be.”