As Its Popular Chief Retires, U. of Southern California Eyes an Encore

Steven B. Sample has been called many things on this campus—darling of donors, beloved leader, brilliant scientist—but above all he is a master marketer. Mr. Sample, 69, president of the University of Southern California, delights in promoting his institution. After Time magazine named USC its College of the Year a decade ago, he had the article reprinted 600,000 times.

Full text article by Josh Keller is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/7/10.

Leader of nation's biggest campus wants to change rules that govern granting of tenure

The leader of the country's largest university thinks it's time to re-examine how professors are awarded tenure, a type of job-for-life protection virtually unknown outside academia. Ohio State University President Gordon Gee says the traditional formula that rewards publishing in scholarly journals over excellence in teaching and other contributions is outdated and too often favors the quantity of a professor's output over quality.

Full text article by Andrew Welsh-Huggins is available via the Los Angeles Times, 2/4/10.

Average Return on Endowment Investments Is Worst in Almost 40 Years

College endowments lost an average of 18.7 percent on their investments last year, the worst showing by far in the nearly 40-year history of the National Association of College and University Business Officers' annual survey.

Full text article by Goldie Blumenstyk is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 1/28/10.

A Test of Leadership

When the history of American higher education in the 21st century is written, I suspect the end of the first decade will be known for two resounding themes: the growing importance of community colleges, and a move from college access to a focus on college success. The vocabulary of this important time centers on words like efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness. These are terms that, thanks in no small part to the work of foundations like Lumina and Gates, finally have traction among both administrators and consumers of higher ed. In a very real sense, this is nothing less than astounding progress for an institution built primarily to enroll students privileged enough to attend college -- and not necessarily to graduate them.
Full text article by Sara Goldrick-Rab is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 12/28/09.

IUP's Atwater replies to APSCUF vote

Faculty members at Indiana University of Pennsylvania have voted overwhelmingly for a resolution of no confidence in the institution's president, Tony Atwater. According to a statement issued by the campus chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, the faculty union, more than 86 percent of the 777 eligible faculty members voted, and 85 percent of them (568) voted no confidence. The resolution cited Mr. Atwater for disregarding shared governance, overspending despite budget constraints, and an alienating leadership style.
Full text article is available via The Indiana Gazette, 12/18/09.

Pittsburgh Pushes Tax on College Students

A proposal to levy a 1 percent tuition tax on students at Pittsburgh colleges and universities threatens to drive a wedge between the city and the institutions credited with playing a major role in its transformation from an industrial to an education and medical center. Backers say the tax, which would add an estimated $16-million to the strapped city’s coffers, is a relatively small charge for the police, fire, and other services provided to Pittsburgh’s estimated 85,000 college students. Officials say the money would help the city narrow a pension-fund shortfall and keep library branches open. The Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education, which represents 10 local colleges, says the institutions inject millions into the city’s economy and that tens of thousands of students who live in Pittsburgh already pay parking, commuter, and entertainment taxes. The council is lobbying Pennsylvania legislators to adopt a statewide ban on tuition taxes.

Full text article by Kris Maher is available via The Wall Street Journal, 12/1/09.

A Real-Life Lesson in Why Accountability Matters

New leadership seems to be making a difference at one of the nation's most troubled urban universities. Students at Chicago State University now walk across a campus that the institution has renovated, including improvements to a rundown dormitory and a new shuttle service in an attempt to make the campus more appealing.

Full text article by Goldie Blumenstyk is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 11/8/09.

A Growing Roman Catholic College Puts Its Faith in a Broadened Mission

Sacred Heart University has grown from a commuter college of 1,500 to a residential campus of more than 6,000. As it grew past being a commuter college, Sacred Heart developed academic programs meant to "catapult [itself] into the residential market," Vice President of Enrollment Mr. Barquinero says.

Full text article by Beckie Supiano is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 11/1/09.

Fresh Surge of Flu Cases and Vaccine Shortages Raise Anxiety on Campuses

College campuses experienced a surge in flu cases last week just as vaccine shortages and delays were forcing many to postpone scheduled shot clinics, the American College Health Association reported on Wednesday. Some of the increases in what the association called "influenza-like illnesses"—widely thought to be the H1N1, popularly called swine flu—occurred in regions that had seemed to be recovering from severe outbreaks earlier this fall. The unexpected rebounds in the Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast have some health experts worried that the holiday season might bring some colleges a double dose of illness.

Full-text post by Katherine Mangan is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/28/09.