Posts by Charles Huckabee
August 2, 2009, 07:00 PM ET
British Universities Are Caught in a Row Over Standards for Degrees
British universities were embroiled in controversy over the weekend as politicians pointed to figures showing a doubling over 10 years in the number of top-honor degrees awarded as evidence of grade inflation and a dumbing down of the value of a degree. But university leaders warned against setting national standards for degrees, fearing "devastating" consequences for academic freedom. British academics, however, have also called for overhauling the 200-year-old system for classifying university degrees.
Read MoreAugust 2, 2009, 05:00 PM ET
Nigerian Court Orders University to Reinstate Lecturers Fired 8 Years Ago
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the University of Ilorin to immediately reinstate and pay arrears to five lecturers who were dismissed in 2001 for taking part in a national strike organised by the Academic Staff Union. The court is scheduled to hear a similar case affecting 44 other fired lecturers next month.
Read MoreAugust 2, 2009, 11:00 AM ET
U. System of Maryland to Cut 175 Jobs, Including Some Faculty Positions
The University System of Maryland will cut 175 jobs and freeze hiring under a plan to trim $37.8-million from its budget for the 2010 academic year, the Baltimore Sun reported. Because the cuts include "a fair number of adjunct and part-time faculty" members, according to the system's chancellor, William E. Kirwan, who submitted the plan, students may find fewer sections of some courses and fuller classes.
Read MoreJuly 30, 2009, 06:00 PM ET
Lawyers for Tulane U. and Its Former Women's College Urge Judge to Decide Case
Lawyers for Tulane University and for alumnae of its former undergraduate division for women, Newcomb College, met in court today and urged a state judge to decide the outcome of a lawsuit seeking to re-establish the college. The judge said she would rule within 30 days.
Read MoreJuly 29, 2009, 06:00 PM ET
Canadian University Is Faulted for Replacing Professor Accused of Terrorism
The head of Canada's main faculty association says Carleton University, in Ottawa, "cravenly caved to external pressure" when it relieved Hassan Diab of a summer teaching job. Mr. Diab is a suspect in a fatal bombing at a Paris synagogue in 1980.
Read MoreJuly 27, 2009, 06:00 PM ET
Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Sale of Art From Brandeis Museum
Three overseers of Brandeis University's Rose Art Museum have sued the university, asking a court to block the sale of any works from its collection. Brandeis's president in January proposed auctioning off the entire collection, but later said that only a few works would be sold and that the museum could remain open as a teaching center.
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