The Kept-Up Academic Librarian

Students Who Are Parents Need On-Campus Child Care

The lack of affordable, high-quality on-campus day care programs that cater to undergraduate students who double as parents is a stealth issue that has the potential to harm both the student-parent and the child. The college drop-out rates of traditional undergraduate students - college freshmen who have just transitioned from high school - who are also full-time parents is a growing problem in the U.S., one that's further exacerbated by the dearth of acceptable child care options for students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Read more at:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180232.php

Renting Textbooks Saves The Students Money

The College of Saint Rose junior is saving hundreds of dollars by renting textbooks for class rather than buying them each semester. She's part of a growing trend on college campuses as the once-insular textbook market finds itself amid tremendous competition that includes Web site rentals and free textbooks. But renting books isn't the only way to save money. Some professors are also using open-source textbooks. Read more at: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=904505#ixzz0ger4MND3

These IHEs Are Failing On Handling Sexual Assaults

Officials at the University of Massachusetts Amherst this week acknowledged that they allowed a student who confessed to raping a friend on campus last fall, a felony, to remain enrolled and avoid significant discipline. The case is symbolic of what victims and the advocates and lawyers who represent them in the college disciplinary process contend is a widespread failure of schools to issue tough sanctions against perpetrators.  Of the more than 240 alleged assaults the schools reported between 2003 and 2008, four led to expulsions. Read more at:
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2010/02/25/no_crackdown_on_assaults_at_colleges/

Hamming It Up For Tufts

American Universities rightly consider the whole student, not just the numbers, in granting admission. But the process is cumbersome. Ambitious parents can turn any quirk of the system into an advantage for their kids. So the news that Tufts University is adding yet another ingredient to the admissions mix - optional videos - gives more pause than cheer. giving any consideration to students’ videos necessarily hurts the chances of studious introverts and others who aren’t natural hams. It could also work against students who believe a college application should be private. Read more at:
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2010/02/24/ham_video_at_tufts/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Education+news

Tuition At Public Universities Likely To Skyrocket

Tuition at many public colleges and universities is skyrocketing, thanks to state budget deficits that have choked off funding for higher education.The University of California, for instance, estimates a 30% increase in the 2010-2011 year. The Universities of Nevada, Florida, and Washington, each estimate that their tuitions will jump 10% to 15% next year. Regardless of any rate hikes, public schools are still a steal compared to private schools. Read more at:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/24/news/economy/public_tuition_soars/

IHEs Must Work To Prevent Sexual Assault On Campus

A college campus isn't the first place that comes to mind in a discussion about violent crime. But research funded by the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1 out of 5 college women will be sexually assaulted. When a woman is sexually assaulted on a college campus, her most common reaction is to keep it quiet. Because it's hard to sort out truth in such cases, more school administrators are realizing the importance of putting more emphasis on prevention. Read more at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124001493

Millennials Most Educated But Least Employed

The most detailed study to date of the 18- to 29-year-old Millennial generation finds this group probably will be the most educated in American history. But the 50 million Millennials also have the highest share who are unemployed or out of the workforce in almost four decades. Pew says its findings show clear, distinctive traits for this group, particularly in certain areas. Read more at:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-02-24-millennials24_ST_N.htm

Students Like This Fee So Much They Imposed It On Themselves

Usually higher fees imposed by universities are protested by students, but at the University of Georgia students are imposing fees on themselves. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that starting next semester, students will be charged $3 each to help their college go green. Usually higher fees imposed by universities are protested by students, but at the University of Georgia students are imposing fees on themselves. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that starting next semester, students will be charged $3 each to help their college go green. Read more at:http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_14421545?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Preserving A Unique Heritage Despite An Uncertain Future

The main purpose of nine months of Berea College's public soul-searching over the school's future was to produce a blueprint for how to preserve its unique mission while cutting spending amid financial uncertainty. But throughout the exercise of developing those 65 words — and an additional 10 specific suggestions for changes on campus — the college has rekindled some of the principles that inspired its founding 155 years ago: radicalism, student activism, academic curiosity and idealism. Read more at:
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/02/22/1150792/berea-college-faces-debates-its.htm

Higher Education Has Value For Society Not Just Individuals

Dan Klaich faces a huge marketing challenge as chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. He’s trying to persuade the Legislature to protect public colleges and universities from the worst of the cuts being proposed by Gov. Jim Gibbons, and convince Nevadans that his organization is essential to the state’s future. At first blush, it wouldn’t seem to be a difficult task. What’s not to appreciate about higher education? People see higher education as an individual good — something you need for yourself.” That’s a familiar refrain to Klaich, and one he refuses to accept. “Every fiber in my being is absolutely opposed to that philosophy,” Klaich says. “That assumes there is no public good in an educated populace.” Read more at:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/21/what-degree-does-college-help-public/