International
To grow, universities need radical changes | After two decades of politically-driven and uncoordinated expansion, Kenya’s higher education has hit a brick-wall, which is why we welcome suggestions by the Commission for University Education for a rethink of this sector with a view of carrying out radical changes to give it new beginning.
First-years are not arrogant, entitled or lazy – Survey | The findings of the Beginning University Survey of Student Engagement (BUSSE), published and disseminated recently in partnership with the Universities South Africa (USAf), challenge perceptions of students, particularly in the wake of the #FeesMustFall protests, as under-prepared, arrogant, entitled and even lazy. They find instead that South African students at first-year level have positive attitudes towards their studies and are optimistic about their potential to succeed; they also have high aspirations and demonstrate strong intentions to work hard.
Decolonising education: How one SA university is getting it done | While student protests at campuses around South Africa have been calling for “free quality, decolonised education”, one university has started taking the first steps towards breaking down the notion that Western knowledge is superior.
U.S. National
Aid in the Wrong Direction? | Four-fifths of the money approved by Education Department to help students from Puerto Rico went to those on the mainland. And critics say new pot of money has application process that will disadvantage island universities.
Can Higher Ed Change America’s Negative View? | The worst outcome would be for low- and middle-income families to stop borrowing to invest in their children’s education. Avoiding loans will condemn students to lower lifetime earnings and all that accompanies that.
Accreditors Must Stop Letting Failing Colleges Off the Hook | The private agencies known as accreditors are tasked with evaluating whether a college is of high enough quality to access federal financial aid dollars. Often portrayed as derelict in their duty, accreditors have been the target of headlines like “The Watchdogs of College Education Rarely Bite” and “College Accreditors Need Higher Standards.”
Student Loan Debt Hits Record High And That’s Good | The total of all student loan debt just hit $1.5 trillion, so prepare for a slew of stories telling you how student loan debt is out-of-control and we must reform the program to avoid a crisis. Ignore the hype.
U.S. States and Territories
Public universities can’t get past the lingering effects of state budget crisis | Instead of trying to create and sustain higher education jewels throughout Illinois, the state government has allowed too many universities to slowly deteriorate into shadows of their former selves, and very nearly killed some of them during the impasse.
University of Maryland, Baltimore wants to be affordable graduate school for all Marylanders | UMB produces dozens of doctors, social workers and lawyers each year, many of whom end up in the local workforce, staffing hospitals and law offices across the Baltimore area. But some of these fields are facing manpower shortages, as the cost of higher education continues to spike nationwide.
Maryland governor plans to sign free community college bill into law | Maryland is set to become the latest state to cover the cost of community college tuition for its residents, as Gov. Larry Hogan (R) plans to sign into law a measure ushering in the program, his office said Friday.
Consultant to continue analysis of cost, value and affordability at Penn State | Huron Consulting Group, a firm with headquarters in Chicago, has been part of previous financial exploration projects at Penn State. Huron was chosen for this review based on its collaborative approach and extensive experience advising higher education institutions.
Higher education should serve state’s working class | The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, a committee of the state General Assembly, recently released a RAND Corp. report on how to improve the long-term sustainability and viability of the universities that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Noting the challenges facing the state system and its universities are quite serious, the report offers five “options for change,” four of which include merging existing universities.
OP-ED | Community Colleges: A Resource Worthy of State Investment | I have to admit I’m somewhat surprised by the difficulties currently facing Connecticut’s community colleges.
Institutional
Defining What’s ‘Good Enough’ on Completion | [A] prominent education technology consultant published critiques of completion rates and faculty-student interaction at Rio Salado College, the nation’s only majority online two-year institution (for now), which is part of Arizona’s Maricopa Community College system.
Who Is An Effective Community College Leader? | “If there’s one thing educators don’t like to hear,” Hyman argues, “it’s that education should be run more like a business.” A business-oriented approach, however, has significant limits. Case in point: Hyman promised to reinvigorate Chicago’s community colleges through a technocratic program of data-driven accountability, with an emphasis on goals, strategy and results — and indeed there was improvement. Some of that progress, however, was a mirage. For example, an external watchdog group found that Hyman’s administration padded graduation rates by retroactively conferring hundreds of degrees to students who had not taken classes in years.
New Research Sheds Light on Students Near Completion Who Leave Before Graduation | Today, Civitas Learning released an analysis of data from 53 institutions and more than 300,000 students revealing new insights into the national challenge of students leaving college before finishing their degrees.
A Vice President, the N-Word, a Coffee Shop and Culture | Outrage has flowed freely over the story of Larry Moneta, the Duke University administrator whose distaste for a rap song featuring the N-word reportedly led to the firing of two baristas (one of whom is black) at a campus coffee shop.
Yale Police Called on Black Student Taking a Nap | A white Yale University student called the campus police this week upon finding a black graduate student taking a nap in the student’s dormitory common room. The police came and the black student needed to get her identification card to show that she belonged in the building.
Posted on May 15, 2018