The Kept-Up Academic Librarian

Two-Year Degrees And Certificate Programs Best For Some Students

Traditional four-year degrees aren't for everyone, and certain certificate programs present earning potential that is even greater than that offered by some bachelor's degrees. Only about 30 percent of U.S. jobs require a four-year degree, Brems said. The rest need to be filled by people such as Tim Arnow. The 25-year-old is currently an auto mechanic, but he's taking courses at the Salt Lake Tooele ATC to become certified in diesel mechanics. Read more at: http://www.sltrib.com/education/ci_6497265

Latest NYT Higher Education Supplement Now Available

The latest collection of articles and essays on higher education from the New York Times is always chock full of interesting articles, but the focus this time is on residential life. The top stories cover residential colleges, changing fraternities, Princeton's eating clubs and counseling centers. Other articles cover the student loan scandals, the new safety schools and chastity clubs. And there's more. Find it all at:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/education/edlife/index.html

Latest Issue Of EDUCAUSE Quarterly Now Available

The new issue of EDUCAUSE Quarterly Magazine (Vol. 30 No. 3) is now available online. Articles included in this cover topics such as the top ten teaching and learning issues of 2007, becoming net savvy, text messaging in online learning, developing accessible instructional web sites, web-based learning, technology change, service-oriented architecture and more. Find the issue at:
http://www.educause.edu/apps/eq/eqm07/eqm073.asp

Could Doors Locks Prevent Another Campus Tragedy

Safety experts say that while school officials across the nation re-evaluate campus safety in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, many are overlooking a simple solution: putting locks on the inside of classroom doors. Colorado, the site of several school shootings including the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School, has lead the push to put locks on the inside of classrooms doors. Most classrooms, including those at Virginia Tech, lock only by key and from the outside. Read more at:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-29-virginia-tech-locks_N.htm?csp=34

More Applications May Not Signal IHE Financial Strength

When credit analysts at Standard & Poor’s scrutinize college finances they naturally look at demand, the number of students who apply. But S&P is now warning that an explosion of the number of applications each prospective student submits may be distorting this gauge, making colleges seem stronger than they really are. S&P analysts said. “However, growth in the absolute numbers of applications might not be sufficient to demonstrate increased demand.” So S&P is going to be looking more carefully at other measures when it rates colleges. Read more at:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2007/07/24/more-applications-may-be-distorting-demand-for-colleges/

IHEs Outsourcing Housing To Gain Luxury Apartments On Campus

The Radian is being built and completely financed by a private developer on land leased by the University of Pennsylvania. The arrangement is similar to two other deals Penn has done for apartment complexes recently completed on Chestnut Street. Increasingly, universities nationwide are outsourcing their campus living operations to deal with tightening budgets and replace outmoded dormitories. Temple University in North Philadelphia supported a similar development, the Edge at Avenue North, last year with a local developer. Emory University in Atlanta is about to break ground on one, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore just completed a student housing project with private money. Read more at:
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20070728_At_Penn__a_new_degree_of_comfort.html

Drexel Joins Other IHEs In Second Life

More than 200 universities around the globe have colonized virtual property in Second Life, among them Harvard, MIT and Stanford. NASA uses Second Life for simulations and conferences. Drexel - the first college to require students to have access to a computer, back in 1983 - refused to be left out of the latest e-learning trend and bought its island in May. The library and the College of Arts and Sciences split the program costs: $150 a month plus the $900 purchase price of the island. Students can access the program for free. Read more at: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/main_line_delaware/20070728_Adventurous_avatars.html

At Many Public IHEs One Tuition Does Not Fit All

Should an undergraduate studying business pay more than one studying psychology? Should a journalism degree cost more than one in literature? More and more public universities, confronting rising costs and lagging state support, have decided that the answers may be yes and yes. Such moves are being driven by the high salaries commanded by professors in certain fields, the expense of specialized equipment and the difficulties of getting state legislatures to approve general tuition increases.  Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/education/29tuition.html?ei=5088&en=d6560dce4b9604c3&ex=1343361600&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1185755775-lHQWYHBV4OejfPHshKJQ7w

Summer Program Helps Low-Income Students Get To College

The College Summit program, which teams up with both high schools and colleges, substantially increases the odds that low-income students may attend college. The workshops, which 1,500 low-income seniors across the country will attend this summer, are part of College Summit’s effort to extend the college-going culture beyond the middle class. The colleges that play host to the workshops and are eager for more low-income applicants get a first look at the portfolios of the students. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/education/27college.html?ei=5088&en=244b6b1a2c5e9288&ex=1343188800&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1185590622-S4Lzm5JwIgmgQR15w/lvFA

Tuition Increases Generally Lower At Most IHEs

Even as tuition increases at public universities are expected to slow, on average, this year, schools in several states are raising tuition by 10% to more than 15%, adding hundreds of dollars to students' costs. In recent years, tuition rates have risen at a much faster rate than inflation. From 2001 to 2006, average tuition at public universities jumped 35% after adjustment for inflation, the largest five-year increase on record, according to the College Board. Read more at:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/college/2007-07-26-tuition_N.htm