Quick Takes

Graduation ceremonies at Xavier University of Louisiana -- the only historically black, Roman Catholic college -- will take place this year without New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes. That's because the archbishop has ruled out appearing as long as the university continues with its plans to have Donna Brazile as the main speaker (and honorary degree recipient), The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported. Brazile, a political consultant and news commentator, is known for her liberal views, and she supports abortion rights. Brazile sent an e-mail to the newspaper in which she said: "As a life long devoted Catholic, I am sorry the archbishop will boycott this celebration of the class of 2009. I will remain faithful to the Catholic Church and my Christian faith which keeps me grounded." The newspaper noted that three years ago a politician who supports abortion rights spoke at Xavier's graduation, without controversy. That would be Barack Obama.

Two tribesmen from New Guinea have sued Jared Diamond for defamation, saying that an article he wrote for The New Yorker falsely states that they committed murder and other crimes, the Associated Press reported. The article was about traditions of vengeance. Diamond -- whose books are taught at many colleges -- is a professor of geography at the University of California at Los Angeles. A spokeswoman for The New Yorker declined to discuss the specifics of the case, but said: "We stand by our story; we stand by Jared Diamond."

The student editors at Cedarville University have decided not to publish their newspaper because of new rules requiring prior oversight and review by the institution's public relations office. Christianity Today broke the story Thursday, publishing a statement by the student editors saying in part: "Review by the public relations department undermines our ability to think critically and engage culture. We grieve the loss of free expression and healthy discourse once found in your newspaper, traits that ought to characterize all vibrant institutions of higher learning." An e-mail from Carl A. Ruby, vice president for student life, said, "We acknowledge that finding the right balance of freedom of expression is difficult, especially in the context of a community of believers who voluntarily give up some of our freedoms for the sake of our shared mission." Cederville, a Baptist university, is already facing criticism that it does not tolerate theological dissent.

ITT Educational Services, a chain of for-profit colleges, has bought Daniel Webster College, a non-profit college in New Hampshire, The Nashua Telegraph reported. College officials said that the purchase would allow for investments that would improve programs. ITT said it would keep the college's curriculum and employees, and hoped to expand the institution.

Brandeis University has been trying to calm the many supporters of the Rose Art Museum -- whose collection the university originally planned to sell -- that all was well while officials reconsidered the museum's future. A recent letter from the university said that the museum remained open and functioning. It turns out that those closest to the museum disagree. The Board of Overseers issued a statement Thursday noting that the collection now lacks a director or curator. The university "continues to take steps to dismantle the beloved institution," says the statement. Brandeis Provost Marty Wyngaarden Krauss responded with a statement of her own, saying that it is "unfortunate that a few members of the Rose Art Museum Board of Overseers do not have faith in the Committee for the Future of the Rose to provide strong recommendations regarding the programmatic future of the Rose Art Museum. This committee is composed of representatives of the major constituencies of the Rose." The provost's statement went on to note that "we appreciate the collective passion and spirit of the larger Brandeis community in understanding that our university, like others across the country, has been impacted by the global financial crisis."

The American Association of University Professors on Thursday reiterated its view that colleges must not bar controversial speakers from campus. Noting recent incidents in which colleges have rescinded invitations, the AAUP said that this was antithetical to academic freedom. "The opportunity to be confronted with diverse opinions is at the core of academic freedom, which is vital to a free society and a quality education," the AAUP said.

The anonymous donor is back -- this time with $10 million for Michigan State University, most of which will be designated for financial aid. The donation appears to be part of a pattern, first reported by the Associated Press, of institutions led by female presidents receiving seven-figure gifts on the condition that most of the money be used for financial aid and that the universities not attempt to identify the donor.

Linda Bunnell announced Thursday that she is resigning on May 31 as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Her note to the campus did not reference recent controversies, but she has been involved in several conflicts with the institution's fund raising arm. In addition, she recently admitted to leaving the scene of an accident after she hit another car while driving a state vehicle.

The American Council on Education and the Wal-Mart Foundation on Thursday announced 20 grants of $100,000 each to build up programs promoting veterans' success. Recipients of the Success for Veterans Grants will use the funds to develop orientation programs or transition courses, establish and build up one-stop centers for support services, and train faculty and staff on challenges facing student veterans, among other initiatives (a complete list of winners and their projects is available here). With a new, vastly expanded GI Bill going into effect in August, many colleges are focused on better serving the veteran population.

Despite progress through the Bologna Process, not all master's degrees in Europe are as equivalent as they should be, according to a study released Thursday by the European University Association. The association calls for a renewed emphasis on the "interoperability" of the master's degree, such that students will be able to earn bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in different countries. The number of students moving from one country to another for education at different levels, or for employment, is projected to rise in the years ahead, making this work particularly important, the report says.

University of Connecticut students are angry about an art exhibit in the main library and are pushing to have it moved. The Hartford Courant reported that students object to works created by Randall Nelson, a sculptor known for his work with dead birds. In one piece of art on display, a dead brown sparrow is shown on a noose with the phrase "The bird got what it deserved." Nelson told the Courant that the piece is about the preferences of birders for "good birds" -- cardinals and bluebirds -- over species like sparrows or starlings. But some students view the piece as racist.