Sunday, February 24, 2008

Totally Off Topic

I know I didn't post a Beatles tune yesterday as I should have, but  I offer this as my amends.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Stanford-- Now Fee Free

In a radical change to its financial aid program, Stanford University will announce today that it will no longer charge tuition to students whose families earn less than $100,000 a year.
In addition, the university will waive room and board fees for students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year.

SFGate story here

Monday, February 18, 2008

What's a billion between friends


University leaders' plea: We need $1 billion more

So last Thursday the 11 presidents representing the state's university system went to Tallahassee to ask for an extra billion dollars. You won't be shocked to learn that they won't be getting it. I mean no disrespect to the university presidents, but I have to admit I am a little shocked. It's been obvious to me for years -- 8 years to be exact -- that the plan in Tallahassee is to strip mine higher education layer by layer. This has been a train wreck a long time in the making.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

USF will significantly limit the number of transfer students it accepts each year


USF is officially saying 2,500 over three years.  I am betting the number will be larger.  Not by design, but by unintended consequences.   
 Two quotes you should take note of: 

It will help the research university improve the caliber of its students. And it will make better use of branch campuses such as St. Petersburg - perhaps bolstering a politically tricky bid for $15-million to build a campus in Lakeland.   

Translation: There are more empty seats at these campuses, which are cheaper to run,  so you should look into them as an option.   

        If you've got a 3.0, and a degree from a community college, your future is pretty assured here," (provost Ralph) Wilcox said. "If you have a 2.0, it's unlikely you'll be admitted.           

Translation: Stop Slacking  


This is happening at every University in Florida.  So don't think you are safe.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Alan Watts on Education

Life and Music


Prickles and Goo

Appling

Credit Woes Hit Funding For Loans to Students


That headline is from this Wall Street Journal piece. If you have a student loan-- loan is usually sold off before you ever receive a check. Heck, sometimes it's sold off before you even apply.

Say you, and a million other peeps, take out a student loan. The loan companies only have so much money right? So they need to get more money to make new loans. What the loan companies do is take like a million dollars worth of loans (or some other number) bundle them together and securitize them. Once they are a security, other people and institutions them.


The bank is happy because it now has more money. It can make more loans which it will later securitize so it can get more money and make more loans. It’s the circle of life if you are a bank. The students who took the loans are happy they get to go to college. The peeps who bought the securitized loans are happy because student loans are unbelievably safe. By the time these loans are paid off, and the securities reach maturity, the peeps who own the security will be rolling in dough.


But here is the new problem. No one is buying the bundled loans! Thus far, I have read several pieces and no one is talking about Stafford or Perkins loans --yet.

But I'd keep watching this issue or reading this blog.

Monday, February 11, 2008

U.S. Universities Rush to Set Up Outposts Abroad


It's a long but worth reading piece in the NY Times. This and not bombs is how we will solve the problems in the Middle East.

I am working on the book this week. Expect some short posts, and soon the fates willing a new chapter.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Curious about how bad the budget crisis might get?

Read This
It's not pretty.

I visited the sites for all eleven of Florida's universities today.

Only one has any reflection of what is going on with the budget.  It really is like the housing bubble.  Everyone should have seen it coming but so few were willing to actually talk about it or what it meant.  It gives me pause.

That school?  Florida State University.  That President T.K. Wetherell.   
Check out all the side links too.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Florida Universities could turn away 60,000

Oh, I have your attentions now!

I still plan to have more on this issue soon.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Dear Arianna, There's a better way . . .

How Long Must I Sing This Song

It's not the school.
It's not the degree.
It's your personal plan.

You need a five year plan.

Carve Your Name in Ice and Wind . . .

Saturday, February 2, 2008