Quick Takes
Bob Kerrey Will Leave New School Presidency -- in 2011
Bob Kerrey announced Thursday that he will leave the presidency of the New School in June 2011, when his contract expires. He said in a statement that his intent has long been to leave at that time, but he also acknowledged the controversies at the New School, whose student and faculty groups have become increasingly critical of his management. "To understate the case this has been a challenging semester for the university and my family," he said. "There have been moments when I reached the limit of my willingness to continue serving as your president. There have been moments when my tendency to fight and to directly engage in confrontation, argument and disputes have been counterproductive." A Web site maintained by students who have clashed with Kerrey offered its own analysis of Kerrey's plans and record, ending its commentary by saying "onward in struggle."
Cuts Could Eliminate LSU Press
Supporters are rallying around the Louisiana State University Press, which is on a list of units at LSU that may face deep cuts or even elimination. The many distinctions of the press include winning four Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other academic publisher. The press is also the only university press to have won Pulitzer Prizes in both fiction and poetry. Peter Givler, executive director of the Association of American University Presses and a member of the advisory board of the LSU Press, said, "Things are tough everywhere and everybody is making sacrifices, but the idea of shutting down a press that has brought so much national distinction and honor to LSU, and to Louisiana, is just plain nuts." LSU's chancellor, Michael Martin, issued this statement about the situation: "We hope the Governor and our Legislature will provide sufficient funding to maintain support of LSU Press, as it is a very valuable asset to this university, the people of the state and many beyond. We face, however, extraordinary economic conditions and we must protect the academic core of LSU first and foremost."
Murder Suspect Arrested; Wesleyan Resumes Operations
Wesleyan University will resume normal operations today, after a tense day in which most activities were called off after police found journals of a man suspected of murdering a student on Wednesday, and the suspect's writings indicated that he wanted to kill other students, especially Jewish students. The university issued security alerts to those on the campus, and informed students when the suspect turned himself in to police in a nearby town late Thursday. Wesleyan is providing counseling services and also pledging flexibility on final exams and academic work, given that students' lives were interrupted by the tragedy of a fellow student's murder and then considerable campus fear as they were finishing up a semester's work. An article in The New York Times explores how the suspect, Stephen Morgan, met his victim, Johanna Justin-Jinich, two years ago when both were enrolled in a summer program at New York University. At the time, she reported that he made harassing calls and sent her harassing e-mail messages.
Roosevelt U. Will Restore Athletics
Intercollegiate athletics, dormant at Roosevelt University for 20 years, will return. The university on Thursday announced a plan to create a minimum of 12 teams over the next five years, with the first squads competing in 2010. The university will not offer athletic scholarships. Students pushed for the return of athletics. While Roosevelt is best known for having nontraditional older students, in recent years it has been enrolling more full-time, traditional age undergraduates.
Study Disputes Link Between Facebook Use and Grades
A doctoral student's unpublished study suggesting a link between extensive Facebook use and lower grades received a ton of attention last month. Now a new study finds no such correlation. The new study, published in the journal First Monday, used large samples and found no negative relationship between grades and Facebook use. The new study was conducted by Eszter Hargittai, associate professor of communication studies at Northwestern University; Josh Pasek, a doctoral student at Stanford University; and eian more of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adolescent Risk Communication Institute.
Report Considers Sustainability in the Curriculum
Colleges have been quicker to green their facilities than their curriculums, as a 2008 National Wildlife Federation study showed, and a new report released by the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment Thursday aims to help colleges integrate "climate neutrality" and sustainability into their academic programs. "Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability: Academic Guidance for ACUPCC Institutions" includes more than 200 examples and resources.
Laureate Describes Plans for Santa Fe
Laureate Education Inc. has released a statement outlining its possible vision for the College of Santa Fe, a financially struggling private college that the for-profit chain may end up operating under a bailout plan being pushed in New Mexico. The college is known for its arts programs and Laureate is known for its campuses in many countries around the world, primarily educating people from countries other than the United States. While Laureate's statement was vague -- officials noted that negotiations are still going on -- it suggested that Santa Fe would become a "global center of excellence in the teaching of the arts," in which Laureate's students worldwide would gain from the expertise at Santa Fe.
Grove City Suspends Student for His Porn Career
Grove City College has suspended John Gechter, a molecular biology major, for his work in gay pornography, The Herald reported. Gechter had kept his job -- which he says he needed to pay tuition -- a secret. But the newspaper reported that another student spotted a photograph of him online, and forwarded the shot to many on the campus. College officials say that Gechter violated their code of conduct and that they are worried about the dangers he might face in porn. But Gechter told the newspaper: "I absolutely believe the college violated my rights. ... They [suspended] me based on my occupation. I was not doing anything illegal.”
