Quick Takes
U.S. Proposes New Regulations on Accreditation
The U.S. Education Department on Thursday proposed new regulations to carry out changes that Congress made last year to federal law governing higher education accreditation. Among other things, the proposed rules, which resulted from negotiations last spring between federal officials and college and accrediting agency officials, would: expand due process protections for institutions when they are reviewed by accreditors; require the disclosure of more information by accreditors and colleges; require agencies to require college to submit "teach out" plans when they close campuses; and require accrediting agencies to ensure that colleges publish their transfer of credit policies.
Wheeling Jesuit President Ousted
The board of Wheeling Jesuit University has fired the West Virginia college's president, the Rev. Julio Giulietti, just two years after he was named to the post, The Wheeling News-Register reported. While details were not available, Father Guilietti told the newspaper he would sue. He said: "I was surprised that the board president pushed for a vote on this before my evaluation was half completed. That was an insult to the rest of the board and the university." The dispute follows a critical audit by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the university's grant agreements with NASA.
Los Angeles City College Cuts 6 of 7 Sports
Los Angeles City College, facing deep budget cuts, is suspending six of its seven athletics teams, the Los Angeles Times reported. Women's volleyball will continue because the season is about to start.
Dispute Over 2002 Death of Providence Student
Providence College is going to the Rhode Island Supreme Court to appeal an order that the college turn over documents related to the 2002 death of 19-year-old student who slipped off of a dormitory rooftop, The Providence Journal reported. A judge had ordered release of the documents as part of a wrongful death suit by the student's father. But the college's appeal says that to do so would create problems in much corporate litigation and would endanger principles of lawyer-client privilege.
Producers Say NBC Show Won't Mock Community Colleges
During a recent press stop in Los Angeles, producers of the forthcoming NBC sitcom “Community” said the show will not make jokes at the expense of community colleges. The show, as described by the network, follows a lovable group of “losers” at the fictional Greendale Community College. Upon hearing the premise of the show in May, some community college officials expressed concern that the sitcom might belittle their institutions and unfairly stereotype their students. The Los Angeles Times reports that Dan Harmon, the show’s executive producer, assured audiences at the press stop that he did not think the setting, in and of itself, was funny. Harmon continued, “Rather, I think the funny thing is … farts.” He later went on to tell the audience that his own experience at a community college has influenced his take on the show: “While I was there, I took biology and psychology and ended up in study groups because I threw off the curve and everyone wanted to study with me. I’m a stand-offish agoraphobe, so I was socially paralyzed into studying … but then we did become this family.”
Harvard Licenses Line of Preppy Clothing
Harvard University has licensed its name for use by a designer clothing company that will soon be selling a "Harvard Yard" line, Bloomberg reported. While financial terms were not revealed, the clothing line may relate more to the university's desire to replenish its endowment. While Harvard has made a point in recent years of stressing that it is open to students of all economic means, the same may not be said of the clothing. Trousers will start at $195 and shirts at $160, and the look will be preppy.
