Universities Weblog

Did you know there are more than 30 'tribal colleges' in the United States today? Tribal colleges are institutions of higher learning set up specifically for Native American students. It is an important resource, and cultural tradition, that is sacred to many people.

Although these colleges often thrive, one in particular is struggling: DQ University, California's only tribal college. Is there anything that can be done? And should supporters stop at nothing to help?

Like most tribal colleges, DQ is set up as a 2-year institution, part community college basic curriculum, part cultural education. According to Susan Reese, a former board member, "Our responsibility is more than to just educate them." She says the goal of all tribal schools is to provide a transition from the Native American community into mainstream college life. "We want them to continue on the red road and we don't want them to forget who they are." Reese adds the hope is that students will "return to their communities whole and complete and serve as an example of those who will come after them."

(Image Source: DQ University)

(Source: Gallaudet University)

As I reported last May, Gallaudet University, the nation's only university catering to the needs of deaf students, has been embroiled in controversy over the hiring of its new president. Well, thanks to the efforts of student protesters, the new prez has been ousted.

Here's a snippet from InsideHigherEd.com:

In an abrupt reversal, Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees on Sunday dismissed Jane K. Fernandes from her position as the next president of the institution.

Fernandes and her supporters have said that she was being rejected for not being "deaf enough." Fernandes, who is deaf, was raised reading lips and did not learn American Sign Language until she was in graduate school at the University of Iowa. Protesters have responded by saying that Fernandes herself has raised the "deaf enough" issue to try to portray their movement as politically correct.

Read the full story here.

(Source: Hamilton College)

So college costs more these days, as I noted recently. So what? At least it pays off.

Well, it does if you believe the U.S. Census Bureau, which, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, has just "provided renewed evidence of the economic benefits that accrue to people with college degrees."

In its report, "Educational Attainment in the United States: 2005," we see that people with bachelor's degrees earn an annual average of $51,554, while high-school graduates with no college earn $28,645. high school dropouts earn about $19,000 a year.

So go. And stay.

(Source: Cornell University)

Yet another item from the "shocker!" file: College costs continue to outpace inflation. Now that's news. A recent study from the College Board tells us that "a year of college rose by about 6 percent in 2006, outpacing wages, inflation, or financial aid."

This comes courtesy of U.S. News. Here's more:

In fact, the cost of obtaining a degree is rising even faster because students are taking longer to graduate. Instead of paying for four years of college, the average public university student pays for more than six years of tuition before marching off to "Pomp and Circumstance." Private school students finish quicker-taking 5.3 years on average.

Two-year community colleges remained an educational bargain, however. In some states, such as California, community college tuition actually dropped this year. On average, tuition at the nation's commuter schools rose an average of only 4.1 percent this year, to $2,300. That means even students who don't receive any financial aid but live at home and attend a community college could finish their freshman and sophomore years for as little as $8,000, including textbooks and transportation to and from classes, the College Board estimated.

You can read the rest here.

By the way, why the Cornell photo? As I foreshadowed last week, the university is announcing a $4 billion capital campaign tomorrow. They've already raised $1 billion. Money will support the Ithaca campus and the medical complex in New York City. Maybe they'll build a bridge.

Just who should decide what material students study in college? Should we go by the classics in instruction and material, learning from past greats? Should we choose innovative ideas? Should we be able to choose for ourselves?

Or, as this article asks, should we let our curriculum be shaped by giant corporations?

Big business spending big bucks to influence what's taught in college classes.

"We really depend on our institutions of higher education to be independent institutions that train students to be very versatile and creative in their thinking," Washburn said. "We don't turn our institutions into corporate training grounds."

What do you think? Does this trend reduce 'higher learning' to mere job training? Just what exactly is college for?

The number of college students studying abroad decreased sharply in recent years, which experts blame on the terrorist attacks in New York City in 2001. Students traveling both into, and out of, the United States were affected. But now, the trend is reversing. Students are out there experiencing the world again.

The findings reflect both eased U.S. travel restrictions and a greater sense among U.S. students of the value of international expertise, according to the institute, a New York-based education and training organization.

“… students are realizing that to be a professional in the 21st century, it's going to be an advantage if you have language skills, if you have cross-cultural skills, in the countries that are the hot economies in the world,'' said Peggy Blumenthal, the group's executive vice president.

(Photo Source: UWC)

College is a time to be independent, develop the ability to think critically, and feel free to express strong opinions. But those qualities aren't appreciated everywhere.

human rights activists have recently called for a revoking of the ban on higher education found in Iran, which bars some students from pursuing the option.

Human Rights Watch called on Iran to immediately revoke bans on students from attending university because they hold political beliefs not to the government's liking, and to allow registered students to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association. In a briefing paper released today, entitled "Denying the Right to Education," Human Rights Watch documents how the government barred at least 12 students from university registration this past year, despite the fact that graduate programs had accepted them on the basis of successful competitive entrance examinations. The briefing paper also documents the cases of another 54 students who were allowed to register only after agreeing to sign statements that they will refrain from peaceful political activities.

"This policy is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and the right to education," said Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division. "The authorities want to coerce university students, the bedrock of critical thinking in any society, into silence and submission."

Both this article and this document provide thought-proving arguments. Should higher education be the right of everyone, no matter what their government says?

Want to study abroad next year? Start planning now. And save your coins.

Results from a new survey of 850 study-abroad students show that most of them began planning their year abroad in October. The number one concern? Money.

According to a press release, the survey, conducted by IIEPassport.org in conjunction with StudyAbroad.com, found that communication accessibility such as cell phones (2%), cultural issues (4%) and the ability to speak the language (11%) were the least of students' concerns. Money (63%), followed by academic requirements (19%), were their two biggest worries.

"Many students are surprised to learn that their existing financial aid, including their federal aid, is frequently transferable to studying abroad," said Kimberly Gradel, study abroad advisor for IIEPassport.org. "For instance, students who participate in study-abroad programs that cost more than the usual cost of attendance for their school may be able to get an increase in their Federal Pell Grant to help cover those costs."

The costs associated with studying abroad vary greatly depending on locations and programs. Popular locations such as London, Paris and Rome tend to have a higher cost of living and to be more expensive compared to programs and housing for students who want to study in Amman, Beijing or Sao Paulo, the press release indicates.

"The published program costs may not include student housing, books, insurance or travel," Gradel said, "so be sure to ask those questions, and read the fine print."

When researching study abroad programs, Gradel suggests these five tips for selecting the appropriate program:

• First, figure out how much you can afford, then apply for financial aid and budget for expenses.
• Review what is included in the program costs; housing, travel, insurance and books may not be included.
• Visit IIEPassport.org; the site provides detailed program listings that include this type of information.
• Make sure your credits will transfer back to your home institution.
• Talk with your study abroad advisor; she'll know the specifics of studying abroad at your institution.

For additional information on financial aid, she suggests the following resources:

• www.IIEPassport.org
• www.StudyAbroad.com
• www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
• www.nafsa.org/secussa

(Source: ESPN.com)

Last Saturday's football game between the University of Miami and Florida International University was marred by an on-field brawl involving dozens of players swinging and stomping. As a result, FIU has suspended 16 players, while Miami has done likewise to 12–for a single game. (One Miami player has been suspended indefinitely for wielding his helmet as a weapon.)

One game? And it's against patsy Duke (not Patty Duke).

Miami president Donna Shalala (she of the Clinton administration) defended the university's decision. "This university will be firm and punish people who do bad things," she said. "But we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation. I will not hang them in a public square. I will not eliminate their participation at the university. I will not take away their scholarships."

I have news for Donna: Miami's reputation cannot be salvaged. To the public, the team is a bunch of thugs whose on-field antics are far surpassed by their off-the-field misdemeanors and felonies. Student-athletes? Give me a break. This recent activity and the university's response, or lack thereof, will only cement that reputation.

As an aside, anyone who watched the game on Comcast Sports SouthEast heard analyst Lamar Thomas, a former Hurricane, condone the violence. "You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked. [....] You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt beat. I was about to go down the elevator to get in that thing."

He was fired.

Struggling to finance a college education is frustrating for every student who has ever attempted it. Some students, however, face bigger hurdles. Disabled students often have a hard time paying for college because of medical costs, and may find it hard to qualify for scholarships due to lower grades, despite being very intelligent.

Many students–and their parents–are tempted to give up or do something desperate, such as sell their house. But experts say that isn't necessary.

This article gives some helpful options for disabled students seeking financial aid, such as the HEATH Resource Center's Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities, and disability-specific scholarship searches.

Most definitely a worthwhile read.