A plea for college presidents to exercise moral leadership (Don't hold your breath, woman.)

November 21, 2011
A Plea to College Presidents: Exercise Your Moral Leadership

By Cathy N. Davidson
On Saturday, November 18, I was shocked and saddened to watch the video of police breaking up a peaceful student protest at the University of California at Davis. I'd just given a lecture in the Chancellor's Colloquium series a few weeks before. I love this campus. I admire the brilliant students and faculty, the gracious staff, and the administrators and alumni and supporters I met during three days of energetic hospitality.

more: http://chronicle.com/article/A-Plea-to-College-Presidents-/129863/?sid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

SOURCE

There aren't too many Woodrow Wilsons (prez of Princeton, in case you didn't know) occupying the top slots these days, I fear. Mostly entrepreneurs and fund raisers, looking to catch up with private-sector CEOs, salary-wsie, I suspect.

A message from Penn State's Academic Leadership Academy (There's just so much I could say.)

Dear JamesCastagnera,
The current economic situation requires institutions to be effective and efficient in the delivery of academic programs. The Academic Leadership Academy at Penn State (Onsite Sessions June 24 to June 28, 2012 and 6 virtual sessions during the 2012-2013 academic year) provides a valuable professional development experience for academic leaders at Rider University. There is clearly a need to hone the leadership and management skills of mid level academic leaders who bridge the gulf between faculty and administration. Department heads, associate deans, deans, and chief academic administrators must hone management and leadership skills to maintain faculty and staff morale, retain good faculty and continue to foster quality educational programs.
To achieve these professional development goals we have brought together a team of successful administrators and faculty for the onsite session. Stanley Ikenberry, President Emeritus of the University of Illinois will present on assessment and learning outcomes. M. Christopher Brown, President of Alcon State University will keynote the academy. Other Faculty include Mary Lou Higgerson, V.P. for Academic Affairs at Baldwin Wallace College; Jo Allen, President Meredith College; Rodney Erickson, President at Penn State, Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Education and Fellow of the Rockefeller Institute of Government at SUNY Albany; Mike Dooris, Director of Planning Research and Assessment at Penn State; and Robert Hendrickson, Professor of Education Interim Director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education and former Department Head and Associate Dean for Research.
Six virtual sessions during the next academic year 2012-2013 will be scheduled on topics selected for their mutual importance by the participants. In the past some examples of topics have included "managing moral and crisis management", "enrollment management", "faculty development", "collaboration across units" among others. The virtual sessions provide a network of academic leaders able to share information and what worked at their institution.
We encourage you to visit the Academy website: http://www.ala.psu.edu and nominate academic leaders from your institution to the Academy. The cost for the full year of the Academy is $3245/ individual and $2,995/individual in a team of 3 or more. Admission to the academy is competitive; based on demand thus far, we expect the available spots to fill early and encourage you to act quickly.
We look forward to working with members of your academic leadership team through Penn State's Academic Leadership Academy.

Robert M. Hendrickson
Interim Director and Senior Scientist
Center for the Study of Higher Education
Penn State University
814 865 9740 office
814 777 7434 mobile
814 865 3638 fax
rmh6@psu.edu

Forum on Education Abroad revamps Forum News

Dear Colleagues,

The Forum on Education Abroad has converted to a new, more user-friendly format for the Forum News. This newer format is easier to read, should not be recognized as spam by email filters, and allows subscribers to control subscription settings.

If you wish to continue to receive the Forum News in the future, it is necessary to subscribe at the following link: http://forumea.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=79fdcff78b4174ad1c90e6406&id=290a2ce607 You may unsubscribe at any time. We will not share your information with any third party.

The Forum News issued today, November 22, 2011, may be viewed here: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=79fdcff78b4174ad1c90e6406&id=678d018fa7

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this process.

Thank you,

The Forum on Education Abroad

Government Accounting Office probe finds laxity in some online for-profit programs

For-Profit Schools: Experiences of Undercover Students Enrolled in Online Classes at Selected Colleges
GAO-12-150 October 31, 2011
Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 32 pages)

Summary
In Process

During the course of undercover testing, GAO documented its observations related to enrollment, cost, financial aid, course structure, substandard student performance, withdrawal, and exit counseling. Overall, GAO observed that 8 of the 15 colleges appeared to follow existing policies related to academic dishonesty, exit counseling, and course grading standards. At the 7 remaining colleges, GAO found mixed results. For example, one or more staff at these colleges appeared to act in conflict with school policies regarding academic dishonesty or course grading standards, or federal regulations pertaining to exit counseling for student loans, while other staff acted consistent with such policies. Enrollment: GAO attempted to enroll its students using fictitious evidence of high-school graduation--either a home-school diploma or a diploma from a closed high school--at all 15 colleges and successfully enrolled in 12. Two declined GAO's request for enrollment based on insufficient proof of high-school graduation. Another allowed GAO's student to begin class, but rescinded acceptance after 1 week, citing lack of high-school accreditation. Cost and Financial Aid: GAO's students took 31 classes in total at an average cost of $1,287 per class. These costs included such items as tuition, books, and technology fees. All 12 students were eligible for federal student aid, but only 10 actually received disbursements; the other students were expelled without receiving disbursements. We did not observe that a college collected federal student aid funds after the withdrawal date of any of our students (that was not fully refunded immediately). Course Structure: GAO's students were enrolled in introductory classes, such as Introduction to Computer Software and Learning Strategies and Techniques. Courses ranged in length from 4 to 11 weeks, and students took from one to four courses concurrently. Courses generally consisted of online discussion forum postings; writing assignments; multiple-choice quizzes and exams; and skills exercises, such as keyboarding tests or computer exercises. Substandard Academic Performance: GAO's students engaged in substandard academic performance by using one or more of the following tactics: failure to attend class, failure to submit assignments, submission of objectively incorrect assignments, submission of unresponsive assignments, and plagiarism. At 6 colleges, instructors acted in a manner consistent with school policies in this area, and in some cases attempted to contact students to provide help outside of class. One or more instructors at 2 colleges repeatedly noted that the students were submitting plagiarized work, but no action was taken to remove the student. One or more instructors at the 4 remaining colleges did not adhere to grading standards. For example, one student submitted photos of celebrities and political figures in lieu of essay question responses but still earned a passing grade. Withdrawal and Exit Counseling: Three of GAO's students were expelled for performance or nonattendance. Eight of the 9 students withdrew from their respective colleges without incident. At the remaining school, GAO's request to withdraw was never acknowledged and the student was eventually expelled for nonattendance. 3 students did not receive federally mandated exit counseling, advising students of repayment options and the consequences of default.
More: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-150

NAFSA: Paul Simon Award nominations close November 30th

The Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization nomination process closes November 30, 2011. Complete the online nomination form for your institution's chance to be recognized for its international education achievements.

Through its Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, NAFSA: Association of International Educators recognizes institutions for overall excellence in internationalization achievements as evidenced in practices, structures, philosophies, and policies. The Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award is presented to institutions with specific innovative international programs or initiatives.

Recipients of the Senator Paul Simon Award will be:

Recognized during a special ceremony in Washington, DC;
Highlighted in the 2012 edition of Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, an annual NAFSA report that is distributed nationwide; and
Featured in International Educator magazine and on NAFSA's Simon Awards recognition page.
NAFSA will award up to five institutions with the Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization and up to three campuses with the Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Awards.

Visit www.nafsa.org/simonaward2 for more information and guidance on nominating your institution for this coveted award. Then complete the online Simon Award demographics form and submit your internationalization statement by e-mail before November 30, 2011.
Questions? E-mail sim

From NACUBO: An article on "Self-Service Budgeting"

SELF-SERVICE BUDGETING
At Drew University, a new software application offers easy-to-use options for deans and department heads to calculate their respective budgets. When people select criteria and enter their own figures, errors and confusion are lower and ownership begins to take hold.
By Howard Buxbaum
More: http://www.nacubo.org/Business_Officer_Magazine/Current_Issue/November_2011/Self-Service_Budgeting.html

Higher Education Directory of Diversity on offer

Higher Education Directory for Diversity (HEDD)
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