Post-Secondary News Digest for February 8, 2010
Canada
York prof receives $1M from SSHRC:
(ExchangeMagazine.com) A York University professor has been awarded $1 million over six years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to fund a study on global warming training in Canadian workplaces. Carla Lipsig-Mummé, hopes to prompt employment sectors to transition to a low-emission economy by examining how employers factor the challenges of climate change into their decision-making. The study will combine research, policy recommendations and workplace education.
York investigates assault on Jewish students:
(Jerusalem Post) York University is investigating an assault against two Jewish students during a pro-Israel demonstration. About 20 students had gathered to raise awareness about an Israeli hostage captured by Hamas, when another group of activists surrounded them allegedly shouting anti-Semitic slurs and slapped two of the Jewish students. Tyler Golden, co-president of Hasbara Fellowships, said his group did not call the police because it wanted the university to deal with the matter. The group has lodged a complaint with York's Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution Office.
UNB prof unveils software innovation:
(NB Business Journal) A University of New Brunswick researcher is teaming up with IBM to launch a new software program that will speed up Java applications, allowing them to run on various operating systems. Kenneth Kent’s Java Virtual Machine technology will employ about 20 staff and 20 computer science students at the university’s Fredericton campus. Kent hopes the project will show computer science students they have career options in New Brunswick.
Ryerson told to crack down on racism “chill”:
(Toronto Star) A 107-page report released by Ryerson University today calls for anti-racism training for senior staff, a Census Day to keep track of demographics, and an anti-racism course that may become compulsory. The changes come after some visible minority students said they are harassed and often excluded. Minority faculty agreed with the students, saying there is a “chilly climate” at Ryerson.
Funding cut to Canada’s only native university:
(Globe and Mail) Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl is giving no indication the federal government will continue funding the First Nations University of Canada after Saskatchewan cut off funding to the institution earlier last week. The university has faced allegations it has mismanaged its finances for years. "It's not a very optimistic picture. It's hard to overstate the seriousness of this," Strahl said of the country's only aboriginal-run university.
U.S.
Early college program helps at-risk N.C. students:
(New York Times) North Carolina only has a 62 per cent graduation rate in its high schools, but at-risk students in the early college program seem to be staying in school. The early college program is a fast-track program in which students take five years to earn their high-school diploma and complete two years of college credits for free. This program has been aimed at overachieving students, but at Sandhills Community College in Raeford, N.C., they have targeted students whose parents don’t have a college degree.
University president fired for lavish spending, questionable hiring:
(Kansas City) The former president of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience spent the university’s money freely before she was fired in December. Karen Pletz was making US$1.2 million, up from US$261,000 in 1999. However, by the time she left her position, she was making much more than the president of Johns Hopkins University. Pletz also allegedly spent a lot of money on travel and meals. She also added her family members to the university payroll.
Cheating on the rise at Stanford:
(Mercury News) Cheating allegations have more than doubled at Stanford University in the past decade, according to a university report. “Some of it is due to an increase in dishonesty,” says Chris Griffith, chief of the university’s academic judicial panel, “while some is due to an increase in reporting by faculty.” The biggest increase is in the university’s computer science department. Twenty-three per cent of the cheating allegations came from computer science students, who make up six per cent of the university’s students.
College food banks help students make ends meet:
(WZZM) Students are finding it harder and harder to pay bills and eat healthy, Michigan universities are finding. Michigan State University has seen a 25 per cent increase since 2008 in the number of students who rely on its food bank. “This perception that students, because they’re going to college, have money isn’t accurate and never was,” says Dennis Martell, the faculty adviser for Michigan State’s food bank. Other schools in the state, such as Grand Valley State University, have also started food banks.
Secular group seeks approval at N.D. Lutheran university:
(Inforum) Students at Concordia College in North Dakota are trying again to get their secular group approved. Leaders of the school have said the group’s goals are not consistent with the college’s mission. The school is connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the proposed group would require members to join the American Atheists organization. Bjoern Kvernstuen, the group’s leader, says the group has 80 Facebook friends and they are starting a petition at the school.
Fewer jobs for art professors in U.S.:
(College Art) Fewer universities are posting jobs for art professors, according to the College Art Association. There was a 30 per cent decrease in the number of studio art jobs posted in the 2009 fiscal year compared to the year before. Teaching jobs in the art history field also decreased by 14 per cent. The College Art Association says its faculty members are facing the same issues that many would-be-professors are facing in America -- an increase in the number of part-time and adjunct positions.
American schools pursuing Hispanic students:
(Washington Post) American colleges are trying to attract Hispanic students by offering admissions and financial aid material in Spanish. The University of Pennsylvania has even begun holding admissions sessions in Spanish. Hispanic college enrolment increased 66 per cent between 1995 and 2005, according to a report from the American Council on Education. The Spanish translations are designed to appeal to the parents of Hispanic students who often don’t speak English.
Timberlake awarded Harvard students’ theatrical award:
(Daily Telegraph) Justin Timberlake was gussied up in pink heels and a blonde wig on Sunday when he was given a man of the year award by a Harvard University student society. “He can sing, he can dance, and he goes straight to DVD,” the Ivy Leaguers declared when giving him the Hasty Pudding Theatrical award. Attendees also roasted his career with ‘N Sync and romance with Britney Spears. Anne Hathaway received the Hasty Pudding female of the year award last week.
World
Singapore research could lead to cure for malaria:
( Asia One) Researchers at the School of Biological Sciences at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University have completed the world’s first in-depth study of the malaria parasite genome – a stepping-stone to curing malaria. Led by assistant professor Zbynek Bozdech, the team of undergraduate and graduate students used transcription profiling to uncover gene activity patterns in malaria that were previously unknown.
Plan for first footie university:
(The Sun) A soccer team from the British town of Burnley is planning to open the first-ever “Football University” in the country. The Burnley FC football club is proposing the school teach not only skill, but also the financial, commercial and social aspects of the game. Orchestrated by chief executive Paul Fletcher, the school will teach students about aspects of the game from advertising to pitch technology.
MIT course material available free online:
(Daily Monitor)
Students in Uganda can now access education materials from one of the world’s top universities. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s “OpenCourseWare” is available free of charge to any web user. Because of Uganda’s limited Internet access, the Uganda Christian University is hosting a local copy of the material. MIT believes these duplicate sites play a big role in promoting teaching and learning throughout the developing world.
Frogs have impressive traits: study:
(The Hindu) A graduate student at the Free University of Brussels has compiled a list of special frog traits that could have “enabled these amphibians to conquer the world.” Ines Van Bocxlaer said toads have spread to almost all corners of the world in less than 10 million years – a relatively short period in the span of history. He cites traits such as poisonous glands and the ability to live away from water.
Faculty cutbacks at Leeds:
(The Guardian ) Leeds University, the second-largest campus in the United Kingdom, is cutting back on staff. Professors, who are being forced to reapply for their jobs, have voted to strike against the university. The dispute is centered around biological sciences, with the university’s union alleging that 48 professors are being reduced to 40. Funding cuts are predicted to slam other universities across the U.K.
Looking younger is in the genes: study:
(United Kingdom Press Association) Scientists from King’s College London and the University of Leicester have found a gene that could be the key to looking younger. Professor Nilesh Samani has found a relationship between certain cells with biological (rather than chronological) age. Biological age reflects whether the cells of some people are older or younger than suggested by their actual age. Structures called telomeres have been linked to looking biologically older.