Post-Secondary News Digest for February 16, 2010
Canada
McGill cuts losses and closes bookstore:
(McGill Daily) The Student Society of McGill University has decided to close a bookstore it acquired two years ago. Haven Books has acquired $196,000 in debt in the last three years and the society says it can no longer afford to keep the store open. The members blame the lack of profitability on McGill’s restrictions on advertising and the fact that the store was out of students’ way. Haven Books has been successful at Carleton University where it is able to advertise more freely.
Household items may jeopardize reproductive health: study:
(Montreal Gazette) Researchers at McGill University have received a $5-million grant to study the effects of brominated flame retardants and phthalates on reproductive health. The chemical can be found in everything from cushions to electrical wiring and is meant to protect against fire. Research so far has shown the chemical has negative effects on the reproductive health of children. Phthalates are used to soften plastic in children’s toys and may have damaging effects on male reproductive health.
Canadian schools excel in business education:
(Parent Central) Six Canadian schools have made the Financial Times Top 100 for MBA programs. According to the London magazine, Canadian schools particularly excel in research and international business studies. The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management was the highest ranking of the Canadian contenders, at 45th place. The business education editor of the magazine says the main reason Canadian schools weren’t ranked higher on the list was that 40 per cent of the study was based on income after graduation.
McGill selects 20 students to tour top 5 cities:
(Montreal Gazette) McGill has selected 20 business students to tour the United Arab Emirates over reading week. The McGill’s 5 Hot Cities of the World Tour started last year, when the lucky students were given the opportunity to travel to Israel to study business practices and meet with executives from different countries. This year, students will be heading to Dubai. McGill professors say this will be a great opportunity for the students to get more experience dealing with the world economy.
Ryerson MBA students recoup tuition within a year:
(Parent Central) Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management has one of the highest success rates for students getting well paying jobs after graduation. The school’s associate dean calls it a good return investment due to the affordable tuition. A survey conducted by the school showed first-time graduate salaries and employment rates were extremely high. The school offers an MBA with a global focus, an MBA in management of technology and innovation and a Masters of Management Science.
U.S.
U of California faces lawsuit over affirmative action:
(LA Times) Civil rights activists are suing the University of California and the state for banning affirmative action in academic admissions. The lawsuit argues Proposition 209 violates equal-opportunity laws set out by the U.S. Constitution and limits the number of minority students at UC’s more renowned campuses. The suit also contends UC relies too much on high school grades and test scores. UC spokesperson Steve Montiel said the school can’t ignore the legislature and is merely following the rules.
Universities creating companies:
(Inside Higher Ed) U.S. post-secondary institutions created 542 companies and generated more than US$2.3 billion in licensing income for the 2008 fiscal year, according to an annual survey. The survey, conducted by the Association of University Technology Managers, stated that four universities raised more than US$100 million in licensing income, double that of 2007. Northwestern University, in Illinois, led all schools with more than US$800 million. The University of California system and Columbia University followed, each just under US$150 million.
Louisiana students have low tuition yet high debt:
(The Town Talk) University students in Louisiana are borrowing more than US$865 million a year, despite Louisiana having some of the lowest tuition rates in the country, say university officials. Melanie Amrhein, director of the state’s office for student financial aid, said many students are not prepared to go to university and have to borrow extra money just to survive. Education officials in Louisiana want to increase tuition at state colleges and universities to compensate for budget cuts.
UWM reaches settlement with student paper:
(UWM Post) The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reached a settlement last week with its student newspaper over a lawsuit filed last year. In November, the UWM Post sued the school after receiving meeting records that had redacted information, despite the university’s initial agreement to release the information. Ultimately, the university gave the paper the rest of the information and paid the paper US$11,000 in attorney fees.
Vermont looks to increase number of college grads:
(Time Argus) Vermont is aiming to have 60 per cent of residents over age 25 to have completed a two or four-year degree by 2019. The goal was set last week by the state’s Commission on Higher Education Funding. The state is reacting to a lack of improvement in college funding over the last 10 years. In 1999, Vermont was 49th in state funding for post-secondary education. It was still 49th in 2009. Only 42 per cent of people over 25 in Vermont have a college or university degree.
Clinton prosecutor new head of Baylor U:
(New York Times) Kenneth Starr was named the new president of Baylor University. Starr, who investigated President Bill Clinton for both his Whitewater scandal and affair with Monica Lewinsky, will begin in Waco, Texas on June 1. Officials from Baylor said Starr’s experience in law was what made him an ideal candidate. He had been dean of law at Pepperdine University since 2004, taught law at NYU and George Mason, and sat on the D.C. Court of Appeals for six years.
Students with allergies getting more consideration:
(USA Today) As the number of university-bound students with food allergies rises, universities are accommodating their needs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Americans under 18 with food allergies increased from 2.3 million in 1997 to three million in 2007 -- four per cent of that age group. While most schools offer frozen meals or dietary-specific foods, schools such as Brown University and College of the Holy Cross are now opening allergy-free kitchens with made-to-order meals.
World
U.K. dorms, lecture halls deemed 'unfit for purpose':
(The Chronicle of Higher Education) At least 10 per cent of university buildings in Britain have been deemed less than “sound and operationally safe,” according to a government list, while several dozen buildings are in a state of serious disrepair. Some of Britain’s best universities are included at the bottom of that list, which was made two years ago. For example, 41 per cent of the London School of Economics’ lecture halls and classrooms were judged “unfit for purpose.”
Nigerian university students protest fee increase:
(Next) Two thousand Ambrose Alli University students took to the streets on Feb. 15 to protest against a rumored tuition fee increase. Businesses and stores were set on fire and looted, and students barricaded a nearby road. State Commissioner for Education Ngozi Osareren denied the fee increase, but admitted that fees were discussed at the last university governing council meeting. According to a non-profit group, the old fees, formerly between $137 and $205, are now between $370 and $684.
Staff angry over Finnish university's cutbacks:
(Helsingin Sanomat) The Finnish Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors staged a walkout in Oulu on Feb. 15 to protest the University of Oulu’s decision to reduce personnel. The university wants to decrease the number of person-years worked by 180. The reductions will primarily affect support staff. The university hopes to save $8.5 million annually and to balance its budget by the end of this year. Half of the staff at the university are involved in layoff discussions.
Auckland University campus goes smoke-free:
(Stuff.co.nz) Auckland University has banned smoking on its campus. Designated smoking areas have also been abolished. The university wants to protect its staff and students from the risk of passive smoking. The new policy will lead to “a healthier and cleaner environment.” The university says it is aware that smoking is an addiction but is not forcing students and staff to stop smoking, although if they want to, they can talk to university health services.
U.K. still confident despite U.S. donor drop:
(The Times Higher Education ) Contributions from private donors to American colleges and universities fell by 11.9 per cent in 2009, the largest decline ever recorded. Despite this sign, U.K. universities believe their fundraising programs will pay dividends. Kate Hunter, Executive Director of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in Europe, argued that U.K. universities were unlikely to face a similar drop in gift income. The most recent U.K. figures available show that charitable giving to the higher education sector is still increasing.