Hi I’m Julie Larsen, and this is the BreakDrink Daily Dose for April 20th, 2012
Texas Technical Colleges Putting Money on the Line
Texas technical colleges are ready to propose that 45% of their operating budget be linked to the employment rates and salaries of alumni. The basic idea is to compare the salaries of graduates and other job data to a baseline of high school graduates. Some adjustments and credits will be given to the data to account for students who leave Texas upon completing a degree. While 75% of the operating budget comes from the state, this 45% is specifically for instruction. The proposal was developed in response to state legislature mandating that a funding formula be developed which rewards “placement and earnings” rather than “time in training”.
Study Looks at New NCAA Academic Requirements for Student Athletes
A study by the College Sport Research Institute at UNC Chapel Hill reported on Academic Advisors opinion of the new “9 credit rule” which went into effect in August 2011. The rule requires that college football players now pass nine hours a semester rather than six. Advisors are concerned that this will lead to more academic dishonesty, and more athletes pursuing majors that are perceived to be “easy”. The idea behind the rule is to encourage athletes to have more consistent, successful academic progress towards their degree.
Gonzaga Keeps Archbishop Desmond Tutu as Graduation Speaker
Despite being under fire from critics, Gonzaga is going forward with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as their 2012 commencement speaker. Gonzaga spokeswoman Mary Joan Hanh said the university is “privileged to welcome a world-renowned Christian leader and social rights activist to whose faith-based lifelong dedication to the cause of justice so clearly resonates with our work as a University.” Critics say the Archbishop’s beliefs go against traditional Roman Catholic ideals, and are not opposed to him speaking on campus but are opposed to him receiving an honorary degree.
