Thursday, February 26, 2009

Spring Break 2009: Keeping Our Students Safe


Many of our college students will head to Spring Break destinations over the next few weeks. In the meantime, colleges and universities across the nation will sponsor "Safe Spring Break" programming.
This educational programming usually features activities focused on the dangers of drinking and driving and the importance of staying healthy during their week away from school (BACCHUS). However, this year's Safe Spring Break programming may feature some special activities on "Staying Safe in Mexico". Recently, U.S. Department of State issued a press release titled,"International Travel Safety Information for American Students". This press release urges college students to remain cautious while traveling abroad during spring break. U.S. Department of State also encourages students to register their foreign travel on their website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

This press release includes the following statement, "Each year, more than 2,500 American citizens are arrested abroad - about half on narcotics charges, including possession of very small amounts of illegal substances. Alcohol also can cause trouble for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Students have been arrested for being intoxicated in public areas, for underage drinking, and for driving under the influence of alcohol. Some people are victimized because they are unaware of the laws, customs, or standards of the countries they visit."

What is your college or university planning for "Safe Spring Break"?

Monday, February 23, 2009

What Does 2009 Have in Store For Texas Higher Education?

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities recently issued a higher education policy brief. This brief titled, "Top 10 State Policy Issues for Higher Education in 2009", offers the most prominent issues that states are likely to encounter this year (based on past trends). Here are the following issues:

1. States' Fiscal Crises
2. Tuition Prices and Tuition Policy
3. State Student Grant Aid Programs
4. Enrollment Capacity
5. Implementation of Higher Education Opportunity Act
6. The Incoming Obama Administration
7. College Readiness
8. Veterans' Education
9. Undocumented Students
10. Sustainability

To further explore these issues, please access the following report - "Top 10 State Policy Issues for Higher Education in 2009".

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Recession and College Campuses

Recently, NPR posted an audio file titled, "Recession Hits College Campuses". This file features an interview with Ronald Liebowitz, president of Middlebury College in Vermont.

What are your thoughts about the economic recession and its impact on college campuses?

Monday, February 2, 2009

What Works in Higher Education?


Recently, the American College Testing Program released a report titled, “The Role of Academic and Non-Academic Factors in Improving College Retention”. This report examines effective practices in college student retention at public and private institutions. Access the report here – What Works in Student Retention?