Post-Secondary News Digest for February 17, 2010
Canada
Concordia Student Union owes more than $1M:
(The Link) The Canadian Federation of Students claims that the Concordia Student Union owes it more than $1 million in unpaid membership fees. That figure is almost two-thirds of CSU’s yearly operating budget. While the claim was delivered in a memorandum last week, it also included an acknowledgement signed by a previous CSU president and dated April 2009. The demand for these unpaid fees comes while CSU is attempting to disassociate itself from the CFS.
Group created to save First Nations University:
(CBC) A group was created yesterday to solve the problems of the First Nations University of Canada, which is losing $12 million in government funding – almost half its budget – on April 1, and could potentially close. The group, comprised of the heads of Saskatchewan First Nations, the provincial Education Department, the University of Regina, as well federal government representatives and FNUC faculty and students, has two weeks to restructure a deal with the University of Regina.
First Nations U prof appointed COO:
(CBC) A professor at First Nations University of Canada was named chief operating officer, following the dissolution of the board of governors and several officials taking administrative leave. Del Anaquod will oversee daily operations of the school while negotiations begin to deal with the impending cuts in government funding to the school and its potential closure. Anaquod previously was president of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College – FNUC’s previous name – from 1983 to 1986.
Quebec didn’t pass along federal aid: students:
(The Link) A protest organized by the Quebec Federation of University Students last week demanded that Premier Jean Charest give students the money they are entitled to. The federation said Ottawa gave Quebec $115 million through the Student Grant Program, which is $35 million more than last year. According to the federation, that extra $35 million wasn’t spent on education. About 150 students came out to show their displeasure with Charest and what they say is his history of neglecting student aid.
U of Calgary doctors shed light on migraine treatment:
(Calgary Herald) A literature review by doctors at the University of Calgary suggests the best ways for physicians to use preventative migraine medicine and how to treat the condition overall. The review of other scientific studies, published yesterday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, concluded that riboflavin, magnesium citrate and a plant extract called butterbur led to at least a 50 per cent reduction in migraine episodes, compared to commonly used placebos. However, the article also states that not all treatments work for every patient.
U of A faculty accepts six unpaid days:
(Edmonton Journal) Faculty members at the University of Alberta have agreed to take six unpaid vacation days next year. In exchange, they gained access to previously confidential financial documents, and can add input on the school’s budget. The university is trying to compensate for a $59-million budget shortfall caused by a provincial freeze in base operating grants. Each unpaid day saves the university about $1.5 million. The days will be during the school’s winter break, and the pay reduction will be spread out over the year.
U.S.
U. of Illinois keeps log of admissions incidents:
(Inside Higher Education ) Students who try to use political influence to be admitted at the University of Illinois will have their names put in a public log kept by the university. The log is part of the response to atone for last year's admission scandal. According to a copy of the log obtained by a newspaper, students still try use their political connections to get a place, but requests from legislators have stopped, since trying to help an applicant now is "like putting your hand on a hot stove."
Mass. college ends need-blind international admissions:
(Inside Higher Education ) Williams College put a limit on financial help to international students beginning Feb. 16. Before that date, the Williamstown, Massachusetts college had been one of the few colleges that admitted international students without regard to need, usually giving them grants if they needed the money. The college says that in the last 10 years, international aid costs have increased by 200 per cent. Williams officials still believe the college will admit more international students in need of financial aid than it did before the new policy.
U.S. science majors less likely to graduate:
(Inside Higher Education ) Researchers at UCLA have found that, while more students choose science majors, they are less likely to graduate, especially if they are African-American, Native American or Latino. Less than 22 per cent of students from these ethnic groups graduate with a science degree after five years, compared to 33 per cent for Caucasian students and 42 per cent for Asian-American students. Researchers believe that colleges deter students from continuing their science studies after freshman year.
Zionist group boycotts U. of California:
(American Press ) The Zionist Organization of America is encouraging a boycott of the University of California. The group is urging potential applicants to apply elsewhere and donors to stop contributing. The boycott is in response to the tensions between Islamic and Muslim students on the University of California Irvine campus. Irvine campus police arrested 11 students earlier this month for repeatedly interrupting a talk by Israeli ambassador Michael Oren. The organization says the chancellor of the university should be standing up against hate speech and taking a more active stance against bigotry on campus.
World
Australian post-secondary enrolment spikes:
(The Australian ) There are now 2.4 million Australians enrolled in post-secondary education – a record number for the country. The latest report on higher education, produced by the government, states 771,932 Australians were enrolled in higher education schools in 2008 and 1.65 million were enrolled in public vocational schools. A professor from the Australian National University says the numbers could mean more political engagement. University education “ought to rise up people’s electoral priorities,” he said.
British university looks to Asia for PhDs:
(Financial Times ) Imperial College London has partnered with three Asian universities to launch a variety of international PhDs. Students at the college can now obtain joint international qualifications from the University of Hong Kong, the National University of Singapore or Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. One college official says this kind of education could allow students “a globe-spanning career.” The project will begin in August and students are required to divide course time equally between their two schools.
Tuition freeze possibility for Northern Ireland:
(Belfast Telegraph ) An unfinished government review in Northern Ireland has been leaked and reveals a possible tuition freeze for the country. The report also requests more information be made public about how universities spend money gathered through tuition fees. The review questions how students benefit from paying higher tuition and states it could not find a link to “an improved student experience.” This follows last week’s news that a think tank in the United Kingdom wanted tuition raised to more than $8,000.
East Anglia prof considers retracting climate research:
(The Telegraph ) Professor Phil Jones of the University of East Anglia is admitting there may be flaws in his climate change research, but says the science still holds up. His findings, based on records from a Chinese weather station, asserted that global warming trends are not significantly affected by urbanization. However, vocal critics have questioned the reliability of the data. Jones says other studies have proven the same theory. He has temporarily stepped down from his position with the Climate Research Unit until inquiries are settled.
Osmania campus no longer being occupied by paramilitary:
(Times of India ) An India court has ordered that all police and paramilitary forces evacuate the Osmania varsity campus. The decision comes after four students challenged the police occupation. The judge said the police created panic and were too forceful with students resulting in injuries. The clash occurred after police took action against students protesting the refusal of legislators hailing from Telangana to resign from the state assembly.