Saturday, November 7, 2009

Education

Segregationist Tells Ole Miss President to Back Off Student Body

November 06, 2009 05:25 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

As if the University of Mississippi needs more attention given to the subject, a segregationist has chimed in on the recent controversy surrounding a student chant.

The chant, sung by some students at sporting events, includes the phrase "The South will rise again." School administrators, faculty, alumni, donors, and coaches have asked that the chant no longer be used, but Richard Barrett, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center calls a "white supremacist," told University of Mississippi President Dan Jones to back off, the Daily Mississippian reports.

Barrett took on a previous University of Mississippi president, Robert Khayat, in 2000 over a ban on waving the Confederate flag at Ole Miss's stadium, the report says. Barrett says students should have the right to say whatever they want.

"Democracy is offensive to tyrants, but I am glad it is," Barrett tells the Daily Mississippian. "Mississippi is the most democratic state in the union. It is our legacy from the post-Reconstruction era. We have more people elected, we have second primaries and runoffs to prevent pluralities from ruling and minorities from lording over the majority. What a virtue of being a Mississippian, and what a lesson to America."

The SPLC says Barrett's stance on the issue is no surprise.

"Barrett's been around forever, and he's been involved in lots of protests in support of racist ideals," Heidi Beirich of SPLC tells the Daily Mississippian.

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Tags: Mississippi | colleges | University of Mississippi

Access Limited for Stanford's Handicapped Students

November 06, 2009 05:23 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Handicapped students at Stanford University aren't exactly happy—and for good reason.

Disabled students at Stanford University don't have easy access to every classroom and building on campus, the Stanford Daily reports. Dorm access and double doors on campus have caused particular difficulty for some.

"Only one door can be opened from the outside sometimes, and sometimes it is the left door rather than the right door," Nicole Torcolini, a sophomore who is blind, tells the Daily. "This is problematic for two main reasons: First, it encourages . . . not following the usual pattern of traffic of traveling on the right, causing more confusion. Second, doors opening on the left do not work well for my guide dog."

According to the Daily, it's not just moving around buildings and classrooms that's difficult. The campus isn't easily navigable, either.

"Sometimes the only way to get somewhere requires walking in or across a bike lane, which can be rather dangerous, particularly for my guide dog," Torcolini tells the Daily. "Furthermore, I have found that most bikers do not take precautions to watch for pedestrians."

Resident Fellow Clyde Moneyhun says it's easy to understand Torcolini's frustration.

"The trouble is that it takes only one thoughtless act—one bike left in front of the stairs, one big, empty box left in a hallway, one couch left in the walkway in the lounge—to create accessibility problems," Moneyhun says. "What we need is more diligence on the part of all the residents in making sure that everybody who lives here has equal access to all parts of the building."

The university created a group to help disabled students deal with issues like these on campus: the Disabilities and Accessible Education Committee. The panel is meant to provide a way for disabled students to voice their concerns.

"We are trying to make disability resources more cohesive for students so that campus is easier to access," says committee Cochair Julia Feinberg, who has spinal muscular atrophy. "We are also trying for more contact with housing and admission."

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Tags: colleges | Stanford University | disability

Northwestern Holds Race Forum

November 06, 2009 05:22 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Two Northwestern University students who painted their faces black as part of their Halloween costumes have caused an uproar on campus. The incident prompted an E-mail from Northwestern President Morton Shapiro, who suggested a campuswide conversation about race.

Northwestern held a forum on race Thursday night, which attracted more than 600 students, faculty, and administrators, the Daily Northwestern reports. Several students groups sponsored the meeting, which was called to "inspire ideas for possible solutions to inspire a frank conversation of race at Northwestern."

"This conversation is about how the actions of student who dress in blackface and how the actions of students—period—is reflective upon the culture at Northwestern and how we the students are affected by that," Northwestern student Marrion Johnson tells the Daily Northwestern.

Interim Dean of Students Burgie Howard told the crowd that the students who donned the blackface never meant to anger classmates or the community. "One of the unintended consequences is a room full of people willing to listen and talk and share and discuss," he said.

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Tags: colleges | race | Northwestern University

Arizona Plans First Undie Run

November 05, 2009 05:10 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

We've chronicled undie runs—where students walk, jog, or sprint in their underwear as a break from the academic grind—in this space in the past. Now we have a new entry to add to the list: the University of Arizona.

Yes, the Wildcats will be the newest member of the undie run team in 2009, and it's just in time for homecoming weekend in Tucson. Tonight's run will cross the University of Arizona mall and head onto University Avenue, the Arizona Daily Wildcat reports. Normally, undie runs take place during finals or midterms, but with the weather just right, the organizer of Arizona's run told the Daily Wildcat that now was the time to do it.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | University of Arizona

Dishonesty on the Rise at Rochester

November 05, 2009 05:06 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Academic dishonesty has reached new heights at the University of Rochester, and the school's Board on Academic Honesty has taken notice.

E-mails sent to faculty and students by the board's chairman, John Givens, remind students and faculty of the threat of academic dishonesty, the Campus Times reports. It was the second message in six years that Givens has sent to students and faculty.

The previous academic year showed a 25 percent increase in academic dishonesty cases and the highest number of suspensions in the past 10 years, the board says. For the first time, the school expelled a student for cheating multiple times, it adds. Givens tells the Campus Times that he fears many more cases went unreported.

"The E-mail messages to faculty and students were meant to remind everyone of the high stakes we all have in maintaining our integrity," Givens tells the Campus Times. "As I wrote in my message to students, academic dishonesty not only undermines the very principles of our academic community, but it also leads to serious consequences. Good habits of integrity learned now will last a lifetime."

Tags: colleges

Early-Decision Applications Way Up at Duke

November 04, 2009 04:51 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Early-decision applications at Duke University skyrocketed for the class of 2014. The numbers have increased by 33 percent, thanks in large part to the state of California: The number of Californians applying early decision nearly doubled from last year's 62 to 115 this year.

The major increase in early applications wasn't expected at Duke, the Chronicle reports. The total—more than 2,000 early-decision applicants—is easily the most ever, breaking the record of 1,589 that was set in 2001.

...continue reading.

Tags: college admissions | colleges | Duke University

3 Dickinson State University Students Found Dead

November 04, 2009 04:50 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

The small town of Dickinson, N.D., is grappling with the deaths of three Dickinson State University softball players who were found dead yesterday inside a vehicle that was submerged in a local pond, the Dickinson Press reports. The trio had been missing since Sunday night.

Early police reports say there was no sign of foul play at the pond, which the Press describes as a 12-foot-deep stock pond located on private property. Kyrstin Gemar, Ashley Neufeld, and Afton Williamson were reportedly stargazing the night they went missing.

The deaths have hit Dickinson State University and the Dickinson community hard. The university held a remembrance service last night, packing a campus ballroom with students, faculty, and friends of the victims.

"There are times when you step in front of a microphone and you realize words cannot convey the sadness in our hearts," Dickinson State President Dr. Richard McCallum said at the service.

Classes at Dickinson State were canceled today. A memorial service will be scheduled for later this week, the Press reports.

Tags: North Dakota | colleges

Penn, Drexel Fall Short in Plan to Avoid Commuting Snarl

November 04, 2009 04:48 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Just hours after the Philadelphia Phillies won Game 5 of the World Series on Monday night, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Association employees went on strike, leaving the city of Philadelphia and its suburbs stranded. The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University had a plan in case a SEPTA strike took place, but it doesn't seem to be working very well.

Many employees have been left in the dark about the schools' contingency plans, the Daily Pennsylvanian reports. Drexel and Penn, along with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, teamed up to create a shuttle service for employees. According to Penn's Business Services Division, notification of the shuttle service had been sent out to school affiliates, who were supposed to pass along the information to employees in need of transportation, the report says. But some employees say they aren't aware of the shuttle program.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | University of Pennsylvania | Drexel University

Minnesota Group Pushes 'Good Samaritan' Rule

November 03, 2009 05:21 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Students at the University of Minnesota are pushing for a new policy that might set them apart from their Big Ten rivals.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is proposing a "Good Samaritan" rule that would allow students to call the university emergency services if a friend is dangerously intoxicated and not face any of the current legal consequences, the Minnesota Daily reports. Instead of the current consequences—such as possible charges of underage drinking or supplying alcohol to a minor—students would have to take alcohol education courses provided by the school. The Daily reports that Minnesota would be the first Big Ten school to enact such a policy.

...continue reading.

Tags: alcohol | colleges | University of Minnesota

Antigay Violence Rattles Georgetown

November 03, 2009 05:12 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Georgetown University and its students are searching for answers after two assaults in which assailants allegedly used antigay slurs rocked the school's Washington campus this weekend.

The most recent attack, which took place early Sunday morning, prompted the second student gathering within a week to show support for the victims of the assaults, the Washington Post reports. Georgetown students, faculty, and staff met in the middle of campus Monday and listened to representatives of student organizations and a university vice president speak, the report says.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | Georgetown University | gay rights

Butler University Drops Suit Against Student Blogger

October 30, 2009 04:49 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Inside Higher Ed has chronicled the intriguing case surrounding Butler University student Jess Zimmerman, originator of a blog that was sued by the university two weeks ago for allegedly making libelous and defamatory statements about school officials. The suit, which had been denounced by faculty members and students on the Indianapolis campus, was dropped today, according to an item in Inside Higher Ed's Quick Takes feature and the Butler Collegian's website.

Zimmerman started the TrueBU Blog in 2008 but wrote it anonymously. According to Inside Higher Ed, Butler did not name Zimmerman directly in its suit, suing instead the anonymous writer. Butler University President Bobby Fong said repeatedly that since Zimmerman wasn't named in the suit, the school wasn't suing him. That caused the uproar on campus.

With the suit withdrawn, the aftermath of the incident and how the parties move on will be in focus, especially after the incident garnered so much national attention from media outlets such as the Indianapolis Star and the Huffington Post.

Tags: colleges | internet

Knight Won't Show at Indiana Hall of Fame Induction

October 30, 2009 04:46 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

He's easily one of the most famous—and controversial—coaches in college sports history. And he's a legend in the state of Indiana. Former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight recognizes how much hoopla would surround any appearance he makes at his former stomping grounds in Bloomington, which is exactly why he won't be coming to his 2009 Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Indiana Daily Student reports.

Knight says he doesn't want to take anything away from the other inductees, whose inductions would be overshadowed by anything that included the legendary coach, who led Indiana to three national championships during his time at IU.

"Coach Knight expressed his tremendous appreciation for the support his teams were given by the IU student body and fans all over the state of Indiana and the contribution that support made to the success of his teams," Indiana Athletics Director Fred Glass said in a statement. "Coach Knight also noted that there is no one he appreciates more than his players, who he said were the most responsible for the success the program had during his tenure."

Knight was fired by then Indiana University President Myles Brand in 2000 because of run-ins with players and students. The school and Knight have been on rocky terms since then, and the Daily Student reports that Knight's Hall of Fame induction is the "first move to bring the two sides together." Knight will be represented at the ceremony by his friend and 2008 IU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hammel, the report says.

Tags: Indiana | colleges

University of South Carolina Tops Sexual Health Rankings

October 29, 2009 03:24 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

In its fourth annual Sexual Health Report Card, the condom maker Trojan rated the University of South Carolina as the nation's top university in sexual health, the Gamecock reports.

The ratings are based on the information and resources available for students at each school. There were 141 NCAA colleges and universities included in the survey, which used data from on-campus student health centers and student polls, among other places. More than 6,000 college students nationwide responded to Trojan's Facebook campaign that asked five questions about a school's sexual health resources.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | University of South Carolina | sexual health

Budget Cuts Might Hurt Student Jobs at Yale

October 29, 2009 03:20 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

The well-chronicled troubles weighing down the economy have hit colleges and universities across the country, even in the Ivy League. To stay financially afloat, many college students get part-time jobs. And if jobs off campus are scarce, work-study and other on-campus opportunities provide an employment safety net.

That may change at Yale, the Yale Daily News reports. Yale administration officials say there's a chance that they'll reinstate a preferential hiring policy that would ensure that students receiving financial aid get the best shot at on-campus work. If the number of financial-aid students without work surpasses 30—there are 10 now without work—the policy will be reinstituted, the report says. The policy was repealed almost 10 years ago.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | budget cuts | Yale University | paying for college

Major Security Breach at Wisconsin Exposes Social Security Numbers

October 28, 2009 05:42 PM ET | Greer, Jeff |

Hackers compromised 40 computers in the University of Wisconsin chemistry department, and that's not the worst part. The computers had personal information—like Social Security numbers—of 2,920 people affiliated with the school, the Badger Herald reports.

The hacking is believed to have started in 2001, the report says. The Office of Campus Information Security discovered the breach when it installed new protection software on August 31. But the people whose information was compromised didn't receive notice of the incident until October 12. The report says that although the information was exposed to hackers, it may not have been taken or used. It's believed that the computers were being used more for what the report calls "an underground network" that distributes movies, television shows, music, and software.

...continue reading.

Tags: colleges | University of Wisconsin | Social Security numbers

About The Paper Trail

Nobody knows a college better than its student newspaper. And nobody knows campus newspapers better than this blog. We sift through thousands of student newspaper headlines every day to bring you the latest, most important, or just plain weirdest news from campuses across the country. Heard bigger news or a crazier story? Send tips to papertrail@usnews.com.

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