| Controversial Commencements |
Graduation season is upon us, and colleges and universities across the country have solidified commencement speakers to send off a new generation of graduates with wise and inspirational words. Some students and faculty, however, aren’t happy with their university’s choices. The University of Georgia’s pick of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has drawn significant negative attention in part because of a recent sexual harassment incident on campus and past allegations of sexual harassment by Justice Thomas. Students at Northwestern petitioned against scheduled speaker Jerry Springer, while the George Washington University College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom petitioned against Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP. At some schools it’s not just the commencement speakers that are causing commencement uproars – students at Washington University in St. Louis are protesting an honorary degree being given to conservative pundit Phyllis Schlafly and students and faculty at UMASS Amherst are asking the university to revoke an honorary degree given to Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe years ago. More about UGA from Inside Higher Education
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| Issue: Student Governance and Campus Administration |
| Student Health Insurance Really Ensured? |
Student health insurance policies are raising questions – and eyebrows – across the country as students and parents are realizing that school-recommended health plans are not always the best bet. Health insurance companies, on the other hand, have been quick to realize the profits that can be generated from students, and students are beginning to speak out against such exploits. In many cases students are restricted by their school’s health plans and cannot receive certain benefits off campus or out of state. Some are unable to receive proper coverage during summer months, and in some cases students have been forced to pay bills that should have been covered by their school policy for unspecified reasons. More from Tufts University |
| Issue: Student Governance and Campus Administration |
| Florida A&M Students Sit In for New Election, Investigation |
Last month over 30 students from Florida A&M University conducted a two day sit-in at University President James Ammons’ office to request a formal investigation into the recent student government elections. Earlier this spring on March 19th and April 2nd, a trial was held to address irregular precinct procedures, miscounted votes, and forged signatures. Despite pressure from students, the Student Supreme Court, in a 3-2 vote, upheld the election results. The protestors were hoping their sit-in would convince President Ammons to launch an investigation into the election and facilitate a re-vote. More from Florida A&M |
| Issue: Student Governance and Campus Administration |
| Free Speech Rally at UMASS |
The Radical Student Union at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst recently held a rally for free speech on the steps of the Student Union. The group gathered to condemn the university for suppressing criticism of the university policy, which some students feel limits freedom of speech by giving undue authority to the chancellor in determining what can and cannot be displayed on campus. Earlier this year the Radical Student Union was charged with misuse of University property, and failure to comply with administrators when the group ignored instructions to remove a graphic safe-sex brochure from a public bulletin board. More from UMass |
| Issue: Free Speech and Academic Rights |
| Students Convince University to Employ Food Workers |
After more than a year of student and worker demonstrations, UC Davis recently announced that food-services staff will soon become eligible for University of California employment, providing them with health insurance and retirement benefits. Previously food service workers at the university were employed by Sodexho, a multinational food service corporation, and were unable to receive university benefits. Under the new employment arrangement up to 200 non-student and 450 student workers will become UC Davis employees, a move that will cost the university nearly $2 million and may take up to a year to implement. Much of the money will come from students – funds will be taken out of Student Housing and Student Union reserves, and school’s student fee is expected to increase at least 7%. More from the UC Davis Aggie |
| Issue: Social Justice |
| AZ Senate Passes Textbook Bill |
Last week the Arizona State Senate passed House Bill 2230, a bill initiated by the Arizona Students Association requiring publishers to thoroughly disclose textbook information, including price, whether the materials are available "unbundled", the copyright dates of each edition, and what information has been changed from one edition to the next. By requiring publishers to disclose the true costs, professors will be better equipped to choose course materials with students’ budgets in mind. Students fought hard to get the bill passed in the House after a slew of amendments, and the success is a major victory for the Arizona Student Association, who come out of the campaign with more power and access in the statehouse. Ten other states, including Oregon, Connecticut and West Virginia, have similar legislation that relates to lowering textbook costs for students. More from Arizona State University |
| Issue: Higher Education Affordability |
| Student Energy Journal |
The Forum for Energy Economics and Development, a student organization at UCLA focused on renewable energy, recently released its first academic journal on solar energy. The journal, written entirely by students and for students, includes articles and graphics on the scientific, social, economic, and political aspects of solar energy. More from UCLA |
| Issue: Student Media Culture |
