E&E’s victory was obtained via State of Arizona open records laws. These laws, which allow taxpayers to request copies of government records, have been misused by anti-science groups to target scientific research. In response to this abuse by both conservative and liberal groups that have economic, political, or ideological reasons for seeking to suppress particular types of scientific inquiry, most states where the issue has arisen have sought to make it clear by statute, regulation, or judicial decision that their public records or freedom of information laws do not destroy traditional areas of confidentiality that protect the scientific endeavor. Unfortunately, not all states have enacted such reforms.

Read full article [here].
by Dr. Jeff Masters, The Weather Underground.

Posted: December 1st, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

If you have paid any attention to the education debate in this country during the past dozen years or so, you’ve heard that students in Finland score at or near the top of international test scores, time and time again… After World War II, the Finns realized their human beings are their most valuable resource. Their budget reflects this belief. In spite of having three major political parties, all factions agree that human development is paramount, and the educational program has had consistent attention over decades. The public school system is free to all, for as long as they live… The fact that students can fail and return, or work and return, or retire and return had a palpable effect on the mood and the tone of the buildings.

Read full article [here].
by Valerie Strauss, The Washington Post.

Posted: November 26th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

American research universities are the envy of those around the world. So why is the value of these institutions so frequently questioned by politicians, pundits and others? In Research Universities and the Public Good: Discovery for an Uncertain Future (Stanford University Press), Jason Owen-Smith offers a defense of these institutions, while acknowledging that they are not always well understood.

Read full article [here].
by Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed.

Posted: November 20th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

Most California voters support what would be a landmark change to guarantee minimum levels of state funding for public universities… A majority of voters also approved of a proposal to roll back limits on commercial property taxes enacted under Proposition 13 to provide increased funding for higher education, the survey found. That public support, combined with a rosy budget outlook, could bolster governor-elect Gavin Newsom’s plans to enact changes that would affect California’s higher education systems long into the future.

Read full article [here].
by Nico Savidge, EdSource.

Posted: November 16th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

The governing board of the University of California met for the second day of its November meeting at UC San Francisco on Wednesday. The Board of Regents discussed veteran services, food insecurity programs and the outcomes of the 2018 midterm elections.

Read full article [here].
by Julia Shapero, The Daily Bruin.

Posted: November 16th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

International students are the cream of the crop of literally BILLIONS of people. The United States has a lot of talent, but we have only 300 million people. China and India, together, have 8 times as many people. That’s a LOT of talent. Some people think that accepting international students means that America doesn’t focus on educating our own workforce. But that’s totally wrong…. Even as the number of international students has risen, American educational attainment has risen right alongside it. This means foreign students are not muscling American students aside. Instead, what’s happening is that foreign students are PAYING for the education of American students.

Read full article [here].
by Noah Smith, @Noahpinion.

Posted: November 15th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

University of California regents on Thursday approved a $9.3-billion budget that will add 2,500 more California undergraduates and increase support for struggling students without raising tuition in the next academic year… UC’s budget plan requests $277.6 million in additional state funding — including $63.8 million to avoid increases in tuition and student fees. Officials also are asking for $100 million in one-time funding to repair aging facilities. The university expects to raise $106 million more in tuition revenue from expanded enrollment and higher fees on nonresident students, and $70.4 million more from investments, philanthropy and cost savings, than it did in the current year budget. All told, the increased revenue would pay for enrollment growth ($86.3 million), enhanced academic support ($60 million), faculty and staff raises ($137 million), building maintenance ($115 million) and health benefits, retirement and other mandatory costs ($119.8 million).

Read full article [here].
by Teresa Watanabe, The Los Angeles Times.

Posted: November 15th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

The UC Office of the President, or UCOP, is continuing to make several changes to its structure after reading a report conducted by Huron Consulting Group — the report, completed in January, cost $735,000, according to UCOP spokesperson Dianne Klein… Graves said the Huron report was originally commissioned in response to a California state audit that was conducted on UCOP to check the office’s efficiency.

Read full article [here].
by Boyce Buchanan, The Daily Californian.

Posted: November 14th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

California State University trustees on Wednesday approved plans to add 21,000 more students and boost efforts to improve graduation rates — without raising tuition — in the next academic year. Trustees, wrapping up a two-day meeting in Long Beach, approved a $7.3-billion operating budget for 2019-20, voting to request $456 million in additional state funding. They are hoping that the robust economy and widespread public support for higher education will persuade Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to provide more money… Cal State is asking for $206 million more to help pay for the additional students, who cost about $11,000 each to educate annually. Last year, the 23-campus system turned away 32,000 fully qualified students because of lack of space and staff.

Read full article [here].
by Teresa Watanabe, The Los Angeles Times.

Posted: November 14th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.

Most Californians believe higher education should be a top priority for the new governor and support increased funding for public colleges and universities, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California… Most backed free community college, a statewide bond for university construction projects, a minimum state funding guarantee and even reform of Proposition 13 to raise more money by loosening restrictions on taxing commercial properties. A majority of those surveyed also said they wanted a new direction for higher education, with fewer than half approving of how Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature have handled it. Brown has championed online learning and slowly restored billions of dollars cut after the 2008 recession. But his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, repeatedly has said much more investment is needed.

Read full article [here].
by Teresa Watanabe, The Los Angeles Times.

Posted: November 14th, 2018, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.