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"Measuring graduation rates is indeed a charade. Yes, some programs have a “respectable” rate of graduating athletes, but these grads often take gut courses, major in fields that have little academic rigor (coaching, general studies), and are placed in courses taught by profs who wouldn’t recognize an academic standard if it slept in their bed. The whole enterprise ought to be called academic gerrymandering."
—Gary
NCAA Imposes Stiffer Penalties for Academic Performance of Midlevel Division I Teams
U. of Evansville President Arrested on Drunken-Driving Charges
In a statement released today by the university, Stephen G. Jennings acknowledged making “a very serious mistake” and apologized.
Petitions Are Filed for Arizona and Nebraska Referenda on Affirmative Action
The backers of a similar measure in Colorado filed petitions months ago, but legal challenges may complicate such campaigns.
Oklahoma's Matching-Gift Backlog Booms Despite Moratorium
Instead of helping to clear a $225-million backlog of matching-gift obligations, a July 1 moratorium on the program has set back the state even more.
Italian-American Groups Rally to Save Advanced Placement Test in Italian
The Italian ambassador to the United States is leading efforts to raise money to continue the examination.
U. of Chicago Students Scramble After Lender Pulls Out
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is ending its “school as lender” arrangement with the university.
Darwin Defeated in the Bayou: Louisiana Encourages 'Critical Thinking' About Evolution | 88
ACLU Complains About Noon-Meal Prayers at Naval Academy | 77
Columbia U. Fires Teachers College Professor Accused of Rampant Plagiarism | 61
U. of Phoenix's Report on Students' Progress Is 'Disingenuous,' Critic Says | 49
Student Who Died at Professor's Home Suffered a Drug Overdose | 47
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February 6, 2008
Key Lawmaker Retreats From Plan to Regulate College Endowments
Washington — Sen. Charles E. Grassley, who had been pushing a controversial plan that would require colleges to pay out more of their endowment assets every year, backed off that idea on Tuesday, according to the Reuters news agency.
The recent moves by Harvard University, Yale University, and other wealthy institutions to commit more of their endowment earnings to student aid has “slowed the push” for legislation, Mr. Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said at a gathering sponsored by Reuters.
“The possibility of legislation is out there,” Mr. Grassley said. “I haven’t given up on legislation. But I’ve slowed the push.” —Brad Wolverton
Posted on Wednesday February 6, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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Too bad Grassley and other legislators fail to realize that financial aid schemes to help the upper middle class don’t put these behemoth public charities anywhere near a justification for their tax-exempt status. The gestures offered by Harvard, Yale, and the other leviathans benefit a tiny minority of families who are already gorging on plenty of gov’t-sponsored free lunch. We need to impose a modest tax on exploding endowments, and this money should be used to establish and sustain a general fund for public higher education. The tax could be imposed only on educational endowments of 1 billion or more, and even if it were a pittance (.05%), it would add up to a fortune for the public colleges and universities that are starving while so-called charities rake in billions from hedge funds and other alternative investments.
— SG Feb 6, 06:07 PM #