Welcome to the DailyDose of Higher Education from BreakDrink.com. This is the Tuesday, October 30th edition and I’m Shawn Brackett bringing today’s news in higher education.
“Hurricane Sandy and Its Remnants Disrupt Institutions Along the Atlantic Coast”
http://chronicle.com/article/Hurricane-Sandy-Deals-Powerful/135482/ [story]
Of concern to many of our listeners is the continued impact of Hurricane Sandy and associated severe weather. Dozens of institutions closed their campuses in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy and many continue to be closed as of today. With the transit systems from Washington, D.C. northward to Boston closed or partially closed the past several days, the impact on students and faculty ranges from inconvenience to being cut off from campus. I wish our colleagues in the affected areas all the best.
“Australia Cuts $1 Billion from University Budgets”
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20121023080644277 [story]
The Australian federal government announced to the surprise of its higher education sector that it would cut funding to universities by $1 billion over the course of five years. University vice-chancellors (similar to presidents in North America) argue that the cuts will disproportionately harm research-intensive institutions and lead to the loss of nearly 1,500 research positions. In 2010, Australia began allowing universities to admit as many students as the institutions wished–a policy change that some argue has lead to decreased research funding.
Lastly tonight,
“Nigeria Hunts for Killers of Students”
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20121026151159157 [story]
Forty-four students at Nigerian universities were murdered in October, with forty students killed in a horrific scene outside their university’s walls. The government has ordered security forces to find the perpetrators and many in the higher education community have called for the swift execution of the assailants. University leaders and academics have expressed concerns that these recent attacks indicated a significant shift among youth in Nigeria; some fear that “gun culture” and search for success through violence has prevailed over historically idealistic notions.
That’s it for today–here’s hoping everyone is safe, dry, and with loved ones. We will see you Thursday!
