Post-Secondary News Digest for January 20, 2010
Canada
Diabetes surges among aboriginal women:
((Hamilton Spectator)) A study by the University of Saskatchewan suggests aboriginal women are four times more likely to develop diabetes. Lead author Dr. Roland Dyck found new cases of the disease occur in First Nations adults between the ages of 20 and 50, whereas the majority of new cases in non-aboriginals occur in people over 60 years old. The study points to an increased obesity epidemic in First Nations groups that may be related to a loss of traditional lifestyles.
Nursing’s in, journalism’s out for Ont. applicants:
(Globe and Mail) The Ontario Universities Applications Centre says the breakdown of new applicants’ top choices shows students are shying away from journalism and other trades with uncertain futures in the recession-ravaged economy. Students are weighing employment chances in architecture and environmental studies programs, which have also seen a decrease in applications. Nursing and education programs are student favourites. Institutions will use the report to determine new strategies while recruiting the class of 2015 later this year.
Mac crash survivor conducting trauma study:
((Toronto Star)) A McMaster University researcher who survived a near-death crash aboard a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001 is leading a study on psychological trauma suffered by some of her fellow passengers. Margaret McKinnon says participants will undergo an MRI and be asked to view footage of the wreckage. The study is the first of its kind to involve a large group of people who experienced the same traumatic event.
U of Windsor students angry over parking lot:
((Canada.com)) The University of Windsor has closed a parking lot in the middle of its campus, making parking a hassle for student drivers. The parking lot held 400 cars and now will be used to house material for the construction of a new engineering building. The university added more spots farther from campus but these require a lengthy walk for students. Students who paid $343 for parking passes are unhappy about the move.
California study finds tobacco worse than we thought:
((CBC)) Scientists at the University of California’s San Diego School of Medicine have concluded tobacco that smoke not only initiates tumors, it also promotes their growth. Smoke causes inflammation in the lungs that leads to more and larger tumor growth. Mice exposed to tobacco smoke after having cancerous tumors had increased growth and frequency of tumors. Researchers say if the same is true for humans, anti-inflammatory drugs may be a new treatment for early stages of lung cancer.
U.S.
California ‘university’ a front for visa fraud:
((Orange County Register)) (Orange County Register) The operator of a small “university” in California has been charged with visa fraud. Authorities say Samuel Chai Cho Oh set up the school as a front for foreigners to obtain student visas. Oh charged the “students” US$40,000 to $50,000 per month in exchange for visa applications. The schools’ federal certification to have international students has been revoked, and Oh will face trial in March.
N. Carolina students guilty even if proven innocent:
((Ledger-Enquirer)) (Ledger-Enquirer) Two Duke University football players have been charged with bringing weapons on campus. According to a university spokesperson, the players will not be allowed to return to the team even if they are cleared of charges or are found not guilty. The players were arrested early Sunday after someone was heard firing shots from a car on school property. The players are currently banned from campus, but may be readmitted to the university when the charges are resolved.
Broadcaster suspended over child porn charges:
((Florida Times-Union)) University of Florida sports broadcaster Steve Babik has been charged with two counts of possessing and distributing child pornography. Babik was employed at the school for 20 years and was the network co-ordinator for the Gator Football Radio Network, hosting the “TailGator Pre-game Show,” the “Urban Meyer Post-game Show,” and the sideline reports at football games. The trial is set for March 1. Babik faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison if sentenced.
Veterinary school hires full-time blacksmith:
((CP)) Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine has become one of a handful of colleges to hire a full-time blacksmith on staff. He provides basic care, trims and cleans hooves and nails, and can remove horses' existing shoes, allowing veterinarians to get better X-ray results, then put the shoes back on. The university decided to make the blacksmith full time after a horse with a broken leg needed a custom-fit shoe, a common condition in injured horses.
Columbia to offer umpiring certificate:
((MLB.com)) Columbia College, in partnership with Major League Baseball and the American military, will offer a professional certificate program in umpiring. Students first complete online coursework in sports administration followed by a week-long MLB umpire camp. Columbia and MLB are working on a series of initiatives that provide career-oriented experiences to members of the military. MLB has collaborated with the Department of Military affairs for similar events in the past.
World
Police and students clash in India:
((Press Trust of India) ) Students at Osmania University in Hyderabad, India were prevented from protesting by the city’s police. Students were attempting to march with the body of a student who committed suicide at the campus Tuesday. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse the protest. At least 30 students and 15 police officers were injured.
Welsh universities may face cuts:
((BBC)) The Higher Education Funding Council of Wales says tight budgets may result in layoffs and course cuts at Welsh universities. The council warns that science, technology and engineering would all suffer cuts, and critics say these subjects are essential to keeping the Welsh economy at par with the rest of the U.K.
Australian university rethinking international schools:
((The Australian)) La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia is conducting a review of its international partnerships because the national university oversight body has raised concerns over education standards. The Australian Universities Quality Agency says it has teaching quality concerns about La Trobe’s programs in Southeast Asia. The school’s new deputy vice-chancellor John Rosenberg says he will conduct a review and insists that international programs must uphold the same quality as in Australia.
Oxford bans music download site:
((Swedish Wire)) Oxford University in England has completely restricted the use of Spotify, a Swedish music-sharing website, on campus. The university’s IT department says on its website that the high number of students downloading music slowed the speed of its network, affecting students who need the resource for academic purposes. Authorities have the right to restrict use of non-academic sites.
U.K. Conservatives pledge to raise quality of teachers:
((BBC)) Tories in the United Kingdom say they would make teaching an “elitist” profession by improving the quality of graduates in England. Teaching hopefuls with the highest academic achievements could have their student loans paid off. The plan would also raise entry requirements to education programs at top universities and encourage people who are successful in other professions to go into education. The Tories claim the move would make teaching the “new noble profession.”