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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
Jill Biden Shines a Global Spotlight on American Community Colleges
Speaking at a Unesco conference in Paris, the vice president’s wife stressed the importance of two-year institutions to the nation’s educational goals.
Connecticut Public Colleges Lose 200 Professors to Early Retirement
Administrators are scrambling to plug holes in their course schedules for fall, with most expecting to do so by hiring more adjuncts or increasing class sizes.
U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show
The two were among five with 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.
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 30, 2006
New Law in California Cracks Down on Hazing
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California signed a bill on Friday that toughens the state’s anti-hazing laws and makes it possible for hazing victims and their family members to sue the perpetrators of hazing, according to an article in today’s Contra Costa Times. The law was enacted in response to the hazing death of a student at California State University at Chico.
The student, Matthew Carrington, died in February 2005 after members of the Chi Tau fraternity forced him and another pledge to drink vast quantities of water and do exercises in front of blowing fans after being drenched with water. He died of heart failure brought on by water intoxication. Four men subsequently pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the case and were sentenced to jail terms of up to one year (The Chronicle, October 31, 2005).
The new law upgrades some hazing charges from misdemeanors to felonies, makes it possible for nonstudents to be charged with hazing, and allows fraternity chapters and other groups that condone hazing—not just the individual perpetrators—to be sued by victims and their families.
Posted on Saturday September 30, 2006 | Permalink |Comments
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This is too bad. This is a serious infringement on all our Constitutional Right of Free Association… and another back door for avoiding personal responsibility. (Yes, these so called victims were in fact voluntarily and in most cases enthusiastically engaged in these tragic accidents…and they were accidents)
Luckily, as I read the Law it is unconstitutionally vague as it prohibits constitutionally protected activities as well as undesirable ones. It is also vague on its face as no-one can tell what conduct is prohibited or encouraged. And, why are athletes excluded?? Isn’t that a violation of Equal Protection under the Law??? So we have another knee jerk law which is unconstitutional.
Colleges are already hostile environments for males but now it is codified. No male banter, insult humor, physical contact, determined teamwork, breaking barriors. YOU ALL KNOW THIS IS DIRECTED TO MEN. But did any one of you stand up for the guys???
So, does this mean that Fraternities and Sororities must simply collect dues and be social clubs. Of COURSE that is what it means. Because MERIT means nothing any more…we must be “fair”… ‘fairness’ here meaning indiscriminate inclusion … even the choir requires someone to carry a note (under this law that would be Hazing).
I guess this means that teachers can be prosecuted for assigning homework and threatening failure if it isn’t turned in. Isn’t that Hazing. Failure would certainly result in “personal degradation or disgrace”, wouldn’t it?? Isn’t the whole grading system ‘Hazing”? Any thing where someone has to merit inclusion, is a form of Hazing under this law.
Lastly, all of this would not be an issue if the Universities allowed appropriate mentoring. Instead the Universities have driven the students off campus to teach each other, and we wonder why they act so mature.
— Dugan Oct 3, 02:57 AM #