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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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May 27, 2008
College Board to Allow Some Colleges to Buy Names of Students in Low-Income Areas
In a pilot program, the College Board is allowing a handful of colleges to buy the names of prospective students, and contact information for them, based on whether they live in low-income areas, the Chicago Tribune reports.
The decision to provide information on high-school students in low-income areas, rather than in low-income households, is a compromise. While the College Board offers students’ information based on their grades, race, and other factors, it no longer provides information on family-income levels — a practice it stopped when some colleges used the data to identify wealthy students who would be able to pay full sticker price.
Colleges, however, are increasingly interested in recruiting low-income students. To do so, they must communicate to the students how attending college can be made affordable — something they try to do with targeted mailings.
Several colleges tested the program last year, and about 30 will participate in this year’s pilot. —Beckie Supiano
Posted on Tuesday May 27, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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Yessir, as we raise our tuitions higher to pay expenses, let’s not forget that we’re pricing low income families out of higher education. So we need to turn around and use the money we take from high income students to give low income students a ride. As one of the Pythons once said, “My BRAIN hurts!!”
— Al May 27, 05:33 PM #
I cringe to think that part of efforts to “…communicate to the students how attending college can be made affordable…” means getting them tied into huge student loans. This is the last thing low-income students need, or know how to manage without some sort of financial training and guidance. Without this guidance, they seriously run the risk of repeating the low-income (/poverty?) cycle rather than using their education to break out from it.
— Jock Dean May 27, 05:55 PM #
I guess I’m naive, but is it SO unreasonable to think these colleges might just be trying to do something honorable here??
— Amy May 28, 07:56 AM #
I guess this is strategy in preparation for the declining number of high school graduates, and increasing numbers of graduates from urban areas who are highly diverse.
— Kathy May 28, 08:55 AM #
I’m curious as to whether examinees are made aware that their personal information may be sold to schools when they register. I worked for a testing company for several years and I would think that selling personal information would be restricted without the consent of the test taker.
— EAC May 28, 09:18 AM #
Amy,
I just sat in a meeting convened by my school’s chief money man, because of his deep concern about the ways the rising prices of gasoline are hurting the students on our commuter campus. I do think it’s possible that the schools targeting less affluent students may well be trying to act in an honorable fashion, as is our VP of Finance, and I’m pretty sure you’re not naive to think so!
— Angela May 28, 09:29 AM #
Amy and Angela,
I want to believe that some institutions are actually trying to do some good here, however, we must remember that running these institutions is a business like any other. They have to make money somehow. If tuition continues to rise in the manner that it has, low-income students will be pushed out of higher education. As a first generation, low-income, postgraduate working in higher education, with an exuberant amount of loans, I am not naive!
I agree with Dean regarding the financial training needed to manage the financial burden that awaits these unsuspecting students who will be provided a gleaming picture of college life and their rewards by the college sales people…Oops, um, admission counselors.
— Bea May 28, 10:07 AM #
My campus is very interested in this opportunity. How do I learn more about this?
— Melissa May 28, 01:04 PM #
Some schools are doing some good for those who can’t afford it…though most of them are well off to begin with. Almost all the ivy’s as well as several other top liberal arts colleges are giving free tuition for those that can’t afford it and are replacing loans with grant aid. I hope they’ll continue to be able to afford to do this.
— sp May 28, 02:13 PM #
EAC,
Test takers have to check a box on their answer sheet if they want to give the CB permission to send their information to colleges and scholarship services.
Be well, Matt
— Matt D. May 28, 11:49 PM #