Colleges Are Urged to Try New Approaches to Diversify Study Abroad

Although Study Abroad is encouraged as part of the college experience, it is often seen as unaffordable by many.  Numbers of those who go on the trips has tripled, but colleges need to find creative ways to target racial and ethnic minorities, men, working adults, lower-income and first-generation college students—all are underrepresented abroad.

As tuition increases will colleges be able to bridge the gap?
 
Article here.

Obama Pitches Controversial Proposal to Decrease Cost of Higher Education

The first sentence of this article triggered my interest, “tuition is often a deciding factor in whether students attend” (Quinn, 1). With this idea, Barack Obama is attempting to lower tuition rates in order to allow access to low-income students. President Obama has a plan to “increase federal funding in the Perkins loan program from $1 billion to $8 billion, with distribution based on how well schools could lower tuition, serve low-income students and provide students with the most bang for their buck” (2). Also, Obama will cut a check of $1 billion dollars to states that frequently check the cost of higher education. Many young voters feel that this is a good idea, but others feel that this may not get approved due to our current debt.

Any thoughts, comments, or questions?

Here is the link: http://www.tuftsdaily.com/obama-pitches-controversial-proposal-to-decrease-cost-of-higher-education-1.2704555 

The Rise of Differential Tuition

A longstanding tradition in American higher education -- that undergraduates are charged the same tuition, regardless of major -- is eroding, especially at doctoral universities.
That is the finding of a new survey by the Cornell Higher Education Research Institute. Researchers checked the websites of every public institution that awards bachelor's degrees, and then surveyed some of the institutions identified as having differential rates. A total of 143 public colleges or universities were found to now have differential tuition policies. That figure includes 29 percent of bachelor's institutions, 11 percent of master's institutions, and 41 percent of doctoral institutions.
When further analyzing the doctoral institutions, the institute found that a slight majority of flagship universities now have differential rates.
Up until 1980, differential tuition rates within an institution were largely unheard-of, although some colleges did charge laboratory fees associated with certain courses. As state appropriations failed to keep up with growing enrollments and higher education expenses, many public institutions started to charge more for certain programs, arguing either that they cost more to offer, that student demand was greater or that students in these fields were on a track to better-paying jobs than were those studying other fields. But the policies have sometimes been controversial, as some educators have argued that students should be encouraged to pick fields based on their academic interests, not the price tag.
Other findings of the new survey include the following:

• At doctoral and master's institutions, differential tuition is generally based on a student's field of study, but at bachelor's institutions, differential tuition is equally likely to be based on how far along students are in their programs (with juniors and seniors charged more than others, for example).
• The most common majors facing extra charges are business, engineering and nursing.
• Since public colleges and universities started to adopt variable tuition policies, the number doing so has gone up steadily, with no years from 1980 on showing a decline in the number of institutions with variable tuition.

The Cornell Institute's report does not take a stand on whether differential tuition is a sound policy. But it questions whether so many institutions should be embracing a policy about which relatively little is known (except that it seems to generate revenue).
"The process by which differential tuition policies have arisen and been have spread across American public higher education institutions has not been examined," the report says. "Neither has there been any research on the possible consequences of differential tuition policies. For example, does differential tuition by major influence students’ choice of majors? Do higher tuition levels for upper-level students affect students’ persistence and graduation rates? If such effects exist, are they larger for students from lower-income families and how do such effects interact with state and institutional financial aid policies?"

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/02/21/study-finds-increasing-numbers-public-colleges-differential-tuition#ixzz1n87Modm8
Inside Higher Ed 

 

Thoughts, Suggestions, Comments on can rise in tuition costs pertaining to certain majors deter some students from a certain career path or choice?

Obama Pushing Community College System to Partner with Corporations? What does this mean for Diversity

As a product of a community college system, I worry about the direction of community colleges on a national scale. Community Colleges are predominantly populated by students that traditionally come from underrepresented background and are most likely the most underrepresented in higher education. Contrast to a previous article pertaining to revamping the California Community College system in order to ensure students are transferring, this article otherwise suggest Community Colleges are institutions that will solely focus on educating the workforce.

This article sheds light on a topic I strongly believe is understudied, the diminishing of a 2-year transfer institution. The article stated "the administration prominently called on community colleges and businesses to collaborate more during the White House Summit on Community Colleges back in 2010. Its newest proposal is the Community College to Career Fund, which would provide $8-billion to two-year colleges and states to work with companies to train an estimated two million workers in high-growth industries" Rather than focus on how to help students transfer into four-year institutions, the goal is to funnel them into the workforce by utilizing collaborative efforts between community colleges and businesses to meet the workforce needs.

I understand there is a need to decrease or eliminate the unemployment rate, however I do not think the focus should be entirely on producing the workforce. Students should still have the opportunity to learn about transferring to four-year institutions and holding more than a 2-year degree or technical certificate. With little focus on helping students transfer, I am afraid the perception of teachers, counselors and administrators will also follow suit. Meaning counselors would probably be more inclined to tell students about technical programs rather than bachelor degree programs. IF this is the case, what does this mean for the student population in community colleges that are predominantly low-income, underrepresented students? More importantly, what does this mean for curriculum offered at community college? Will transfer courses slowly but surely leave the picture?

I am starting to believe it is almost imperative to tell students to attend a four-year institution rather than attend a community college first. It is only those that have the social capital to understand and know of additional educational opportunities that could have a chance to do more than a 2-year degree. It will be interesting to see how things play out overtime. Businesses have very much entered in k-12 with the support of the Obama administration. It only seems the trend will continue to community colleges as well. Thus I am hesitant with Obama Push for Community Colleges to Partner with Businesses in this day and age.

http://chronicle.com/article/Tour-Highlights-Obamas-Push/130887/

Chicago School draws scrutiny over student fines

Here is the link to an article that I thought was interesting, but upsetting at the same time:

http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-school-draws-scrutiny-over-student-fines-202924231.html

Noble Street College Prep fines students for "misbehavior." Misbehavior is in quotation marks because fines can be a result of untied shoelaces, etc. Although this school prides itself on graduating students and sending them to college they are going about it the wrong way. In a sense, this is an example of a weed out process as low-income families may not be able to afford the continuous fines. In fact, the superintendent of the school says that the policy teaches students to follow rules and produce in a structured environment. Such a statement is problematic in so many ways. It follows a deficit model with its emphasis on behavior, suggesting that poor, minority students lack discipline.

Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago, is in favor of the policy, saying that it gets good results and that parents do not have to send their children to the school.

UC Davis Settles Title IX Suit

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/uc-davis-settles-discrimination-suit-by-3-former-female-wrestlers.html

This article discusses a Title IX suite filed by three femal wrestlers at the University of California. The lawsuite claimed that the institution discriminated against women at the instution by failing to provide sufficient athletic opportunities for females. The University paid $1.35 million to settle the lawsuit.

Challenging Diversity: Affirmative Action on the Docket

Hello Class,

This article I am posting is perfect for our discussion of diversity in education and higher education. According to article posted by Scott Jaschik, "The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to consider whether the University of Texas at Austin has the right to consider race and ethnicity in admissions decisions. Those bringing the case hope the Supreme Court will restrict or even eliminate the right of colleges to consider race in admissions – a prerogative last affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2003 in a case involving the University of Michigan’s law school."

Essentially if the U.S. Supreme Court rules that race should no longer be considered a factor in admissions, it will over-turn the Supreme Court decision in 2003 (GRUTTER v. BOLLINGER) which ruled, "The Law School’s narrowly tailored use of race in admissions decisions to further a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body is not prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause, Title VI, or §1981. Pp. 9—32."

If you have taken Dr. Trent's Access to Higher Education course, you may recall we read a book called: Integrating the 40 Acres: The 50-Year Struggle for Racial Equality at the University of Texas written by Dwonna Goldstone. This book is a documentary of the race relations at the University of Texas Austin, specifically examining the experiences of African American students. Without extreme measures taken to integrate students in the UT campus, there would be no underrepresented minority students. Thus to challenge affirmative action is simply to challenge diversity in higher education.

This is my personal opinion of the use of affirmative action. Hopefully I can sum up my perspective in a short, concise, and articulated manner. In America, policy utilizing race have been used in two ways: 1) to discriminate and eliminate particular groups, particularly African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and low-income students from accessing resources that will enable them to have the opportunity to increase their social mobility in America, and 2) to create instances of educational opportunities that were originally denied to them due to the way race was used in reason number 1.

It appears to me that we are in a state where individuals in society want to neglect the impact that race, racism, and discrimination has had on certain groups in America. Simply stating race is no longer a problem is equivalent to saying, the sky does not exist when it is apparent that it does. Using race is a Catch 22. It is wrong of course to discriminate against race, however creating opportunities, specifically for students that were never given the chance in America is right. I am sure this conversation fits into the larger discussion of Critical Race Theory and Interest Convergence. Its bad enough my own state, California does not honor affirmative action, I will be heart broken if this continues which essentially jeopardize our want and need for diversity in higher education.

What are your thoughts of Affirmative Action?

How should the Supreme Court Rule this case?

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/02/21/supreme-court-takes-affirmative-action-case#ixzz1n2ZUCslE

Inside Higher Ed

Civil Rights Project: California Maintains Segregated Community College System

This article alludes to changes that need to be made in the California higher ed system. In it, the author says that most minority students go to community colleges; however, a small percentage of the students are actually transitioning into the other institutions within the CAL system. So, although the pipeline idea sounds good, more work needs to be done to ensure that minority students are also benefiting from this system.

Here is the link:
http://diverseeducation.com/article/16834c1/civil-rights-project-california-maintains-segregated-community-college-system.html

Albany State Awards Honorary Degrees to 32 Students Expelled for 1961 Protests

Albany State University awards 32 Black former students honorary degrees, in an attempt to make ammends for it's injustice to them over 40 years ago. While the gesture is foot in the right direction. The damage has already been done in my opinion..What do you think?

Here is article:

http://diverseeducation.com/article/16831/

The Death of a Florida A&M University (FAMU) Student due to Hazing

A drum major in the Marching 100 band at FAMU was beaten to death in a hazing incident. The university has strict rules and regulations against hazing, be it not tolerable in Fraternities, Sororities, and/or any other organizations on campus. The family of the student filed a lawsuit against the university “claming school officials did nothing to stop a ‘culture of hazing’ within the famed ‘Marching 100.’”

Any thoughts, feelings, and/or comments?

Some questions to think about:

1. How do you feel about hazing in general?
2. Do you think that the president of the Marching 100 is partially responsible for the student’s death? If so, why?

Here is the link to the article: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/17/autopsy-shows-florida-am-drum-major-was-beaten-to-death-in-hazing-incident/

A great example of corporate sponsorship celebrating Diversity in Higher Education

From Home Depot 

http://retoolyourschool.com/default.aspx


Vote now for your favorite HBCU to receive a valuable campus improvement grant

It’s your turn to make your voice heard in helping select this year’s RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL campus improvement grant recipients.

You know how valuable our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are, and how much they have contributed to our country’s growth in so many ways. What could be more worthwhile than being part of helping preserve and improve some of America’s most historic campuses and landmarks?

This year, we’ve expanded the program. We are introducing a new $25,000 Campus Pride Grant for the school that shows the most initiative in promoting their proposals and garnering votes. We are also providing an additional $10,000 Tier II Grant. In all, we’ve increased the total grant funds available to $185,000.

Last year, we awarded grants totaling $150,000 to HBCUs. A $50,000 Tier I Grant went to Bethune-Cookman University to help upgrade their Student Center with wheelchair ramps and barrier-free automatic access doors in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ten additional schools received $10,000 each for a variety of projects, from landscaping to lighting to irrigation.

Vote here to support your favorite HBCU.

"Tennessee Teacher Evaluation Systems Have Rough Road Ahead" by Sarah Garland

Here is the link to the article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/07/tennessee-teacher-evaluat_n_1260790.html?ref=teachers

This article discusses the new teacher effectiveness measurement in Tennessee. An eighth grade teacher at a school in Memphis was surprised when the assistant principal dropped by to watch her teach as part of this new evaluation system. During class time, the lesson didn’t go as planned and many students stumped on review questions. After the class, the assistant principal rated her with 1s and 2s on a 5 point scale. He provides his reasoning’s, which to her seems unfair. After Reading, do you agree with the ratings that the assistant principal gave the teacher? Do you think that this new evaluation system is effective?

Black Male Success in Higher Education

Here is a new report from the Center for the Study of Race & Equity in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. The author of the report is Dr. Shaun Harper.

US Schools have a Poverty Crisis, not an Education Crisis

Here is the link to an article published by the Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-rebell/us-schools-have-a-poverty_b_1247635.html

In the article the authors discuss the association between child poverty and achievement. The authors go on to make several recommendations for putting low-income schools on an even playing field with middle-income schools.

If low-income schools remain behind other, more advantaged schools, then many of these students will continue to lag behind their peers, which have huge implications for enrollment in college.

Very interesting picture about "Black-White" relations in the U.S.

Greensboro Four

I think everyone knows by now that I am from North Carolina, specifically Greensboro. February 1 is always a special day for us from the "336."  On this day in 1960, four freshmen from a local college, North Carolina A&T State University, made a bold and courageous decision to challenge Jim Crow laws by staging a sit-in at Woolworth's lunch counter.

As the NPR report states, "On that first day, February 1, the four men stayed at the lunch counter until closing. The next day, they came back with 15 other students. By the third day, 300 joined in; later, 1,000."

Here is a link to the story on NPR's "All things considered" on February 1, 2008...

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Awards 10.8 million to 4 MSIs

A bit of good news for improving diversity in the STEM fields from the White House Initiative on HBCUs:

http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whhbcu/edlite-news.html

The Affirmative Action War Goes On

Here is the link to an article that was published in the New York Times that I thought would be fitting for the class:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/opinion/sunday/the-affirmative-action-war-goes-on.html?scp=1&sq=college%20diversity&st=cse

This article talks about several lawsuits across the country that have rejected the use of race as a factor in college admissions in some areas as well as another case in which race is allowed to be used as a factor. All of these cases may soon appear before the Supreme Court. Given the current makeup of the Court it is possible that colleges will not be able to use race as a factor in their admissions process. Should this happen, what might be some other ways that colleges can continue to increase racial diversity?

Outlook for Higher Education Remains Mixed, Moody's Says

During his State of the Union Address President Obama said that colleges that are not able to keep costs down will receive less money from taxes, given that education is an economic imperative.

However, an annual report released by Moody's Investor Services reported on Monday that for the next year to year and a half, colleges will continue to see a decline in admissions as a result of cost. However, for larger, diversified colleges and those that are highly ranked, they project a rise in admissions. After reflecting on today's discussion I was left wondering what this actually means for diversity (actual diversity, not just numbers) in these institutions.

What do you all think?

Here is the link to the article from The Chronicle of Higher Education:
http://chronicle.com/article/Outlook-for-Higher-Education/130434/

I will also add that President Obama said that colleges that are not able to keep costs down will not be given as much money from tax dollars in tonight's State of the Union Address.

Optimism and Time

"Somewhere along the way we must see that time will never solve the problem alone but that we must help time. Somewhere we must see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels on inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals...Without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social stagnation. We must always help time and realize that the time is always right to do right." - Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.

 This quote comes from Dr. King's speech at Western Michigan University in December of  1963. I think this quote works well with the article from Dr. Howard Zinn. As educators with a interest in social justice, we can not be pessimistic and give up or think that time will automatically bring change. I encourage you to keep in mind both Zinn and King as we explore Diversity in Higher Education together. How will you maintain energetic optimism in the face of the challenges in educational equity?