News

Doctorate Degrees Are At Record High In U.S.

By December 6, 2010 Leave a Comment

According to The New York Times there has been an increase in research doctorate degrees awarded in 2008-9 academic year.  The total amount of degrees awarded was 49,562, which is an increase of 1.6 percent from the previous year.

The most growth came from the fields in science and engineering.  The number was influenced by a larger number of women earning science and engineering degrees.

However, according to the report there has been a decrease in the amount of doctorate degrees earned by foreign students holding temporary visas.  In 2009, doctorates awarded to foreign students declined 3.3 percent in science and engineering, and 4.6 percent across other disciplines.

For more information on this story, visit The New York Times.

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Proposed bill would make SC college spending records public

By December 2, 2010 Leave a Comment

In an effort to make college spending more transparent South Carolina’s political leaders are proposing a piece of legislation that would allow the public to easily access college spending records.

South Carolina Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, announced Tuesday that he and House Republican leaders will pre-file a bill that will require all of states public colleges and universities to post all of their spending records online.  The bill will be called The Higher Education Transparency Act of 2011.

Previous attempts to pass a similar bill raised concerns that colleges would incur significant costs, however college leaders have come up with a solution that is both efficient and inexpensive.

If the bill is passed, the spending will be updated every month in a manner that is easy to understand, and the public will be able to see the exact amounts spent and the persons or businesses to whom the check were written.

For more information on this story, visit The State.

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Student Awarded $20,000 Scholarship for Tweeting

By December 2, 2010 Leave a Comment

Two weeks ago, KFC announced a plan to award a $20,000 college scholarship to the best high school Twitterer.  Today, the company announced the winner, 17-year-old Amanda Russell, a high school senior from Long Beach, California.

KFS officials said they went through more than 2,800 entries nationwide before picking the best one.  The winning tweet is in reference to the chain’s founder Colonel Harland Sanders and says: “Hey Colonel! Your scholarship’s the secret ingredient missing from my recipe for success! Got the grades, drive, just need cash!”

Amanda, who has a 3.9 GPA, is going to pursue a career in Biology, however she is still unsure which college she plans to attend.  She is eligible to receive $5,000 per year for the next four years at any accredited public college within the state of California.

For more information on this story, visit Market Watch.

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Earn an MBA Degree Through Facebook?

By December 1, 2010 Leave a Comment

The world’s largest social networking site is considered by many a waste of time and a distraction.  However, two young British entrepreneurs want to change that by proving that you can earn an M.B.A. while tagging photos, harvesting virtual crops, and “poking” your friends.

The London School of Business and Finance Global M.B.A. calls itself “the world’s first internationally recognized M.B.A. to be delivered through a Facebook application.”

Launched last month, the application already has over 35,000 active users and growing fast.  Aaron Etingen, founder and chief executive of the London School of Business and Finance, said he expected 500,000 prospective students to take the free “M.B.A. test drive” during the course of the next year.  When students complete a couple of course and like what they see they will be able to continue the course by watching interactive videos, participate in study sessions and much more.  All free of charge.

“There is only a fee if they want to take exams,” said Valery Kisilevsky, the school’s managing director.

Each exam is paid for separately, making the total cost of the M.B.A. £14,500, or about $23,000.

For more information on this story, visit The New York Times.

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Purdue Fraternity Loses Recognition Over a Drinking Game

By November 30, 2010 Leave a Comment

Purdue University has announced that it intends to withdraw recognition of Phi Kappa Theta for alcohol and hazing violations that occurred while the fraternity was on probation for earlier alcohol problems.

According to the University investigation, the organization supplied alcohol to minors and participated in hazing incidents which were prohibited by the University.  The investigation also concluded that members were involved in theft from University dining halls.

The major violations occurred in the fall when 28 male students were brought into the basement of the Phi Kappa Theta house, at which point they were asked to take part in a drinking game known as “Edward 40-Hands.”  In the game, 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor are duct taped to each hand of a person.  The bottles are not allowed to be removed until the participant consumes the 80 ounces of alcohol.

A decision regarding the fraternity’s standing will be made by next week, according to Student Organization Services. Punishments will range from warnings to possible expulsion.

For more information on this story, visit The Daily Athenaeum

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Man Stole Millions From Columbia University

By November 29, 2010 Leave a Comment

A Bronx man has been arrested for stealing approximately $4.5 million from Columbia University, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said.

The man was identified  as George Castro, a 48 year old who was supposedly “familiar with the university’s accounts payable system.”

Officials said that the University realized a new account had been added to its electronic payment system, and nearly $5 million had been sent to the account.  The University immediately reported the potential crime to the DA’s office, who eventually tracked the money’s disbursement from the account.

The investigators arrested the defendant Castro, last Wednesday.  At the time of the arrest he was carrying $200,000 in cash and a car already purchased with the money, an $80,000 Audi, was parked outside his home, according to the DA’s office.

For more information on this story, visit MyFoxNy.com

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Former Student Stole Financial Aid Money To Help Find HIV Cure

By November 26, 2010 Leave a Comment

Terry Jamail Zimmerman, 19, of Rochester is accused of stealing about $12,000 in financial aid payments intended for other MCC students, said college spokeswoman Cynthia Cooper.

According to the local authorities, Zimmerman stole the money “to help find a cure for HIV and because he owed money to others.”

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Zimmerman was “charged with using a computer without authorization for a fraud exceeding $5,000″ on Friday. For now, Zimmerman remains in the Monroe County Jail with a bail hearing set for today.

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OSU Closes Campus Due to Power Outage Caused by Fire

By November 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

Oregon State University closed its main campus today at noon due to a fire in a steam tunnel that triggered a power outage and disrupted the University’s internet connection.

The electrical fire which occurred at 5 a.m. in a steam tunnel north of Gleeson Hall, also damaged a portion of OSU’s fiber-optic system that controls heating and fire alarms to other buildings on campus, said OSU spokesman Todd Simmons.

“We woke up to a situation this morning where we had about 12 to 14 buildings pretty heavily affected and the list grew from there,” said Simmons.

The power outage affected the following campus buildings: Batcheller, Benton, Bexell, Covell, Dearborn, Gilbert Addition, Gleeson, Graff, Kidder, Milam, Milne and Rogers.

At this time the cause of the fire is still unknown.

For more information on this story, visit Oregon State University.

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Baker College Online Named Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine

By November 24, 2010 Leave a Comment

Baker College Online officials recently announced that the college has been named a 20011 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

“We are proud to be listed among the 2011 Military Friendly Schools by G.I. Jobs,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online. “One of our priorities is to assist individuals with military experience in obtaining a higher education. They bring maturity, diversity, leadership, and life experiences to the classroom. Other students and faculty benefit from their unique perspectives.”

The G.I. Jobs team administered a comprehensive survey for over 7,000 schools and an Academic Advisory Panel, comprised of five higher education administrators, helped to determine survey questions and weightings.

The Military Friendly Schools list is a very important aid for veterans and military personnel. With recent passage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, tens of billions of dollars in tuition money is now available.

For a complete list of Military Friendly Schools, visit militaryfriendlyschools.com.

For more information on this story, visit Baker College Online.

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Yale To Return Precious Incan Artifacts

By November 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

Yale University has made arrangements to return thousands of artifacts taken from Machu Picchu nearly a century ago, according to the Peruvian president Alan García.

According to the Peruvian government there are about 40,000 pieces of artifacts ranging from jewelry, to pottery, and even human bones. The relics have been in Yale’s collection since 1911, and have become a subject of fierce international controversy and debate about how and where to display the archeological treasures.

Mr. Garcia requested the intervention of US President Barack Obama so that an agreement could be reached ahead of the 100th anniversary of the original excavations. Just a month ago, the Peruvian government was threatening to launch criminal proceedings against Yale and its president. However, after last week’s meetings, Mr.Garcia recognized the university’s role in preserving the artifacts for the best part of the century.

The artefacts are expected to be returned early next year in time for the centenary of what Peru calls the re-discovery of Machu Picchu.

For more information on this story, visit The New York Times.

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