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"Some college administrators seem so distracted with fund raising, academic infighting, and community initiatives that they set up their emergency communications departments very poorly. Training is poor to nonexistent, secretaries are pressed into service with tremendous responsibilities for running 'notification systems' 24/7 and on weekends because no one else knows how to do it and the administration won’t pay for additional staff. Procedures are seat-of-the-pants and dependent on HIPPO (highest paid person’s opinion), except when something like Virginia Tech happens and there is some sort of scramble to do something different." --Donna
Most Colleges Avoid Risk Management, Report Says
U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show
The two were among five that houses on property where the university plans to build new academic facilities.
New Allegations in Admissions Controversy at U. of Illinois Suggest Ex-Provost Played a Role
Linda P.B. Katehi, the incoming chancellor of the University of California at Davis, has insisted she knew nothing of the admission of politically connected applicants at Illinois.
Sonoma State U. Foundation May Lose $350,000 on Loan to Former Board Member
The foundation will be forced to issue fewer scholarships in the 2010-11 academic year because of a diminished endowment, a university official said.
Court Overturns $2-Million Verdict for Former Coach at U. of Louisiana-Lafayette
The coach, one of the few African-Americans in big-time college football, was fired after three losing seasons. He sued, saying he had been dismissed because of his race.
The notorious vermin have forced Colorado State University at Fort Collins to cancel its annual Great Sofa Roundup, which allows students to donate unwanted couches.
College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography | 58
President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It | 58
Drug Sting Nabs 21 Students at U. of Illinois | 57
Faculty Members and Union Protest Staff Layoffs at Temple U. as 'Cruel' | 57
North Dakota Board's Vote Puts 'Fighting Sioux' Mascot on Thinner Ice | 57
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September 26, 2006
Senators Introduce Bill to Create Controversial Student-Tracking Database
Fourteen U.S. senators formally introduced a bill today to authorize spending to set up databases to track college students’ educational progress—an idea opposed by private colleges—and to produce more scientists and engineers.
The bill, S 3936, is not expected to come up for a vote this week on the Senate floor, however, because lawmakers are scrambling to complete work on a bevy of higher-profile bills dealing with national security. Congress recesses at the end of this week so members can campaign for the November elections. A lame-duck session is expected in November, but it is unclear which bills lawmakers might consider, other than must-pass appropriations measures to run the federal government. However, the co-sponsors of today’s bill include the Senate’s two leaders: the majority leader, Sen. Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, and the minority leader, Sen. Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.
The bill, which is sponsored by Sen. John Ensign, a Nevada Republican, is largely similar to a draft circulated this month (The Chronicle, September 18). One provision would help states track data on individual students from pre-kindergarten through the baccalaureate level and to examine retention and graduation rates for college students. The idea was recommended by the final report of the U.S. secretary of education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education (The Chronicle, September 1).
The remainder of the bill proposes a mix of measures to improve science education in schools and colleges, in order to improve the United States’ ability to compete economically with other countries (The Chronicle, September 8). A more-modest bill on that theme in the House of Representatives is not expected to come to a vote this week.
Posted on Tuesday September 26, 2006 | Permalink |Comments
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Its not about ‘helping’ students, its about tracking people … slight of hand should not be confused with reality. Information about ‘student’ will include residences, test scores, skills areas, income (parent’s too), credit scores, affiliations,ect… wait and watch … Big Brother with a Cap & Gown
— Janet Sep 27, 08:17 AM #
Looking for data to measure retention and graduation rates suggests that these are in and of themselves good. These may be neither the best, nor even appropriate signs of success. Might it be analogous to say that hospitals that admit few very sick people will have very low mortality rates (they’re better than others), or that restaurants that only serve dinner to patrons who have had breakfast and lunch will have fewer people leave who are hungry (they serve satisfying portions)?
— eshahn Sep 27, 01:15 PM #
I can’t believe they want to track people all the way from preschool to college graduation. Talk about a permanent record! That does seem big-brotherish.
— Concerned Reader Sep 27, 03:13 PM #
Adult-aged students and the parents/ guardians of young students should be allowed to “opt out!” Sounds like another violation of our first amendment rights. In the end does it matter what number they use to track us?
— Linda M. Jagielo Sep 27, 10:21 PM #