How one blog sees MnSCU salary transparencyJanuary 3, 2012 8:15 AMBy Alex FriedrichThe Let Freedom Ring Blog rails about what it considers a dearth of easily available information on administrative salaries and job descriptions within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system: There’s no excuse why universities shouldn’t have an organizational chart, showing who’s in administration and what they’re responsible for. I don’t mean the euphemism-filled…
A guide to the new University of North Dakota namesJanuary 3, 2012 5:15 AMBy Alex FriedrichNow that the University of North Dakota has retired its “Fighting Sioux” mascot, the school has been changing the names of associations and programs affiliated with the old name, the Grand Forks Herald reports. (It has no replacement, because by law it’s not supposed to take on another mascot or nickname for a few years.)…
Is Northeastern University coming to Minnesota?January 3, 2012 4:51 AMBy Alex FriedrichNortheastern University in Boston may be coming our way, this recent New York Times piece reports: Northeastern, known for its co-op program in which undergraduates spend significant amounts of time in the workplace, opened its first satellite campus this fall in Charlotte, N.C., and is planning a second in Seattle next year; outposts in Austin,…
What's no longer allowed at MSU – MankatoJanuary 3, 2012 2:40 AMBy Alex FriedrichThe Free Press of Mankato has news for university students and staffers there: If you want to purchase an incandescent light bulb or a smoke a cigarette on the Minnesota State University campus — too bad. New regulations are now in effect, so read the full story here.
Notes in the Margins: Free speech, banned words and the Indian boomJanuary 3, 2012 2:15 AMBy Alex FriedrichPushed out of Harvard, professor returns fire Dismissal stirs debate over free speech. (The New York Times via University Business) 5 Colleges That Are Slashing Tuition Costs A plateau seems to have been reached among certain colleges. A stagnant economy and declining attendance has prompted some colleges and universities to cut tuition costs for the first time…
2012 Think-Off question: Is humankind good or evil?January 2, 2012 6:59 AMThe Minnesota-based Great American Think-Off is posing a familiar question for its 20th annual debate. This year's question is: "The Nature of Humankind: Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?"
UND phasing out Fighting Sioux nicknameDecember 31, 2011 3:30 PMThe university has been working to retire the nickname and accompanying American Indian head logo, which the NCAA deems offensive, and rebrand several organizations and media related to UND's athletics department.
Checking in with Monte ButeDecember 30, 2011 6:37 AMBy Tim PostMinnesota Public Radio reporters have picked their most memorable stories from the past year, you can see all of them here. The story I picked was my profile of Monte Bute, a Metropolitan State University professor diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer. Bute’s cancer is in remission, but could make an aggressive return at any time.…
Notes in the Margins: Women back to school, forgiving student loans and hip hop higher edDecember 30, 2011 3:41 AMBy Tim PostInstead of Work, Younger Women Head to School There are now — for the first time in three decades — more young women in school than in the work force. (The New York Times) Should Student Loans be Dischargeable in Bankruptcy? Will legislative attempts to ease students’ debt burden work, or is a bigger fix needed?…
Feds seek more details on Minn's No Child Left Behind waiver requestDecember 29, 2011 6:35 PMBy Tom WeberThe U.S. Education Department wants more information on Minnesota's request for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law.