Higher Education Quick Takes

Australian newspapers are reporting that the Malaysian Airlines flight that was shot down Thursday had many passengers who were AIDS researchers or public health workers headed to the 20th International AIDS Conference, which convenes Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. The International AIDS Society, the sponsor of the meeting, did not confirm how many people headed to the conference were on the flight. A statement on the society's website says: "In recognition of our colleagues' dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the conference will go ahead as planned and will include opportunities to reflect and remember those we have lost."

George Fox University has been facing criticism for its policy, which it says is motivated by its Christian beliefs, of not allowing transgender students to live in housing with the gender with which they identify. On Thursday, the university announced a change that would open housing to transgender students who have surgery. The university's new policy (which George Fox characterizes as a clarification) states: "Common residence halls are single-sex, defined anatomically. We are committed to residential access, and it is consistent with our beliefs and our community values that a presurgical transgendered person will be provided on-campus housing in appropriate alternative housing either on or off campus." A spokesman confirmed that those who do have surgery will be entitled to regular housing.

Paul Southwick, a lawyer representing a transgender student challenging George Fox's policies, said that the policy shift did not resolve his concerns. "If George Fox University is drawing the line at gender reassignment surgery, that is not the line drawn by state and federal law. Gender identity protections do not extend only to those individuals who can afford, or who are ready, for gender reassignment surgery," he said. Southwick added that most transgender people do not get surgery. "And how would George Fox police anatomy?" he asked.

The Golden Goose Award is this year going to three economists whose basic research on game theory and auctions enabled the Federal Communications Commission to auction spectrum licenses. The award -- sponsored by the Association of American Universities and other science focused associations -- was created to honor federally funded research that "may not have seemed to have significant practical applications at the time it was conducted but has resulted in major economic or other benefits to society." The award was created as something of a response to lawmakers who criticize basic research or projects whose names sound funny. This year's award, to social scientists, comes as some Republicans have questioned the value of federal support for the social sciences.

The winners are Robert Wilson, the Adams Distinguished Professor of Management Emeritus at Stanford University; Paul Milgrom, the Shirley and Leonard Ely Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University; and R. Preston McAfee, chief economist at Microsoft.

In today's Academic Minute, Erika Engstrom, professor of communications at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, discusses made-for-television portrayals of weddings and brides, and the way these glitzy Hollywood renditions are unrealistic. Learn more about the Academic Minute here.