Universities Weblog

The 'Bush administration' recently passed rules designed to limit the number of welfare recipients enrolled in college programs. Officials justified the decision here.

Supporters claim that these limitations will 'encourage' more students to work.

"These regulations complete what president bush has called 'the unfinished business of welfare reform,'" Secretary Leavitt said. "We are rebooting the system to help more individuals transition from welfare dependency to work and self-sufficiency."

School officials and students feel otherwise, and for the most part want to leave the laws unchanged.

What do you think?

You can view the complete list of rules
here.

(Photo Source: Public Agenda)

From Inside Higher Ed:

"We know we did wrong, and we admit that. Please don't be too hard on us."

That's how Bill Greulich, a spokesman for Victor Valley Community College, succinctly summarized a brouhaha
that's taken the California campus by storm over the last week. Last Monday, a vice president at the college ordered that a popular Web site – which is privately owned and operated by students of the college – be blocked so campus computers couldn't access it.

This (hideously designed but intriguing) website was created in order to criticize Victor Valley Community College president Pat Spencer.

Allegations include everything from mismanaged funds to unlawful termination of employees. When the school shut down access to the site, major backlash quickly occurred.

After the electronic shutdown, it didn't take long for a plethora of students, faculty members and the local media to quickly cry "censorship." When Greulich found out about the situation, he says his heart immediately sunk.

"We all know that freedom of speech tops every issue out there," says Greulich. "I think there was action before thought in this instance."

What do you think? Did the college have the right to do this?

(Picture Source: Honest Media Today)

There's one syllabus at the University of Wisconsin Madison that may have to be revised.

"Islam: Religion and Culture," taught by Kevin Barrett, posits

unpopular opinionsBarrett, a temporary instructor, received his Ph.D. from Madison in 2004 in African languages, literature and folklore. He has taught one other course at Madison, but it was not about Islam. Barrett is a founder of a group called the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance for 9/11 Truth. On that group's Web site, he elaborates on the views that he discussed on the radio, writing, for example, about the "big lie" of 9/11 and of the "compelling evidence" that the attacks were "an inside job."

However, the taxpayers and tuition-paying families shouldn't pay this man one cent to perform his voodoo in a UW classroom."

Definitely a powder keg waiting to be ignited. What do you think> Should professors be censored? Or should students be trusted to make up their own minds?

(Photo Source: ISOC)

The Commission on the Future of Higher Education recently drafted a
national strategy plan for improving higher education. Of course, you can't make improvements without first finding the weaknesses, and find them they did.

Primary weaknesses include students graduating and entering the workforce without proper skills, the unfortunate rising cost of higher education, and the amount of time students waste in college learning skills they should've learned in high school.

A final draft is expected on August 1st. Are these concerns valid? What would you put into the report?

(Photo Source: Strategy Software)

It can't be denied that college is getting more and more
expensive. Often it seems that financial resources are getting more and more scarce. The United States has always led the way with inflated college costs, but now a dreaded sort of equality is taking place: a college education is becoming increasingly expensive in other parts of the world, too.

Talk about the real world. U.S. university graduates enter the job market with new degrees, all the confidence of youth and Student Loan debts averaging $19,200 – a 58 percent inflation- adjusted increase from ten years ago, according to figures compiled by the State Public Interest Research Group, a Washington-based independent research organization.

Summertime brings many things: mosquitoes, sunburn, extended daylight. In Florida, it also brings the boom of the Disney College Program. If working for Disney seemed like a dream come true when you were a kid, here's your chance to make it happen.

Whether you want to lead passengers safely onto rides, dress up as Minnie Mouse, or anything in between, you may get your chance. Disney is urging college students to apply while the job choices are numerous.

The College program made its debut in 1981, In the beginning, there were more than 200 students from over 30 schools working at the Magic Kingdom theme park. Since it's inception, more than 45,000 students have participated, representing hundreds of schools. The program has three main components: LIVING-LEARNING-EARNING. The Disney program offers seven different courses, all recommended by the American council on Education for three credit hours each. And as the students work at the parks and resorts, they get an insiders look at the tactics and operations of a major company, all working hands-on, gaining the experience and know-how to launch their careers here or elsewhere.

For complete details, please visit the official news site here.

(Photo Source: WDW College Program)

If you'd grown up in a tiny, isolated Alaskan town, homeschooled your entire life, with the nearest phone more than 50 miles away, would you have trouble adjusting to university life?

Of course you would, which is the motivation behind the
University of Alaska Fairbanks' Rural Alaska Honors Institute.

The students spend six weeks at UAF–living in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria, taking college classes–experiencing college life firsthand. They leave the program with eight to 10 college credits, said Denise Wartes, the program's director.

The students are in class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They all take a college-level writing class and a study skills class in addition to one of several specialty classes such as math, geoscience, biochemistry, rural development or Native psychology. Every student also takes either a swimming class or a Native dance class.

After a lifetime spent in Alaska, do you think these students may be headed toward colleges in Florida?

(Photo Source: UAF)

When did you start preparing for college? Junior year? Junior high? Perhaps you thought it was never too early to prepare. This seems to be the sentiment of some motivated middle school students who spent a week at Morehead State University.

The program is a one week residential experience designed to prepare young, African American students for college.

"The goals of the program are to provide ethnic minority students with an opportunity to be exposed to the college environment; to nurture the students in the fundamental classes they will need to succeed; and to provide encouragement and information about how to get into college," she said.

"By completing the program in this structured, controlled environment, students are more prepared, allowing for a smoother transition from middle to high school, with postsecondary education as the ultimate goal," Dr. Phillips said.

Congratulations to MSU, and to the bright students preparing to make their mark on the future.

(Photo Source: MSU)

Section 529 plans have long been a preferred method of getting the funds to pay for college.

Some recent changes to the tax codes have made these plans even more viable.

These savings plans offer tax deferment and tax-free withdrawals when used for educational expenses.

Maine and kansas have started what experts are hoping will be a new trend: allowing tax breaks no matter what state you make 529 contributions in. This allows you to retain benefits after moving to a different state, and gives you the freedom to pick the best plan for you, regardless of state tax laws.

Be sure to read the entire article for some great financial tips, and you'd do well to check out the Saving For College website while you're at it.

(Photo Source: Better Investing)

Every time I find an article like this, I rejoice. Recent college graduate Kalee Iacoangeli tells us why college takes much more than just a financial commitment, and how the most important lessons often take place outside of the classroom. As someone who's been there, I can tell you that she is absolutely right. Trust me.

I have found that in order to get the most out of a college education, you have to put more into it than just money. College is an investment; the more quality time and effort you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

It does to me.

Thank you, Kalee. Wise words indeed.

(Photo Source: LACC)