A Guide to the May 5, 1995, Issue
of The Chronicle of Higher Education
You may read the complete text of any article by
clicking on the highlighted headlines or phrases
below.
THE TRAGEDIES OF MAY 1970: A SPECIAL REPORT
REMEMBERING THE TURMOIL ON AMERICA'S CAMPUSES
The fatal shootings at Kent State University and Jackson State
College of students protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia
shocked the nation and spurred student strikes at more than 200
campuses. What meaning do the deaths have 25 years later, and
how should they be remembered?
RESEARCH & PUBLISHING
AN INFLUENTIAL ANTHROPOLOGIST REFLECTS
Clifford Geertz, a scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study,
helped pioneer a school of interpretive anthropology, helped
spread anthropological methods to other fields, and has made
important studies of Morocco and Indonesia. Now he has written
an autobiography that shows his relish to experiment and his
refusal to be pigeonholed.
A NEW METHOD FOR TREATING ALCOHOLISM
Ernest P. Noble, a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral
sciences at the University of California at Los Angeles,
wrote in the April issue of "Nature Medicine" that a genetic
predisposition to alcoholism could be detected, and that
testing alcoholics for this condition would determine which
patients are likely to respond to drug treatment.
- TWO REPORTS IN "SCIENCE" LAST WEEK SUGGEST that early human
beings living in Africa made sophisticated tools 60,000
years before their counterparts in Europe did so.
- "PHYSICAL REVIEW," THE NATION'S PREMIER JOURNAL of physics
research, is celebrating its centenary with an anthology
featuring 200 of its most influential papers. The book is
titled "The Physical Review: The First Hundred Years."
- MORE THAN 500 AMERICAN PHYSICISTS AND ENGINEERS are hoping
to work on Europe's Large Hadron Collider, but if the U.S.
Congress refuses to chip in $400-million, they may not be
able to participate.
- HOT TYPE.
- The University of Hawaii Press next month will publish
"One Night Out Stealing," the second novel by Alan Duff
the press has released. Duff, a Maori author, has raised
hackles in New Zealand for his unflinching accounts of
contemporary Maori life.
- "The Public Historian," a journal, has inaugurated awards
for the worst and best uses of historical analogy by
public officials. Bill and Hillary Clinton won a "Golden
Turkey Award" for comparing health-care reform in 1994 to
the creation of Social Security in 1935. The journal made
no award for the best use of analogy.
- ILR Press, which publishes books on labor, management,
and workplace issues, will become an imprint of Cornell
University Press in July.
- 75 NEW SCHOLARLY BOOKS, briefly described.
- Nota Bene: At Home in the World, by Michael Jackson, an
anthropology professor at Indiana University. The book is
published by Duke University Press.
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS
NO NUKES IN THE CLASSROOM
Students in a course at Georgia Institute of Technology assume
the roles of American, Russian, Chinese, and other diplomats
and try to forge a nuclear-free zone in northeastern Asia. The
students also hear lectures by generals from those countries
and then watch as the generals attempt to thrash out a treaty
among themselves. The course is taught by Gen. John E.
Endicott.
"UNABOMBER" SAYS SCIENTISTS ARE TARGETS
The serial bomber who has killed three people in a 17-year-old
series of blasts said in a letter to "The New York Times" last
week that "specialists in technical fields," such as computer
scientists and geneticists, are his main targets. Scholars of
"harmless stuff" like history and literature are not.
BAPTIST SEMINARY EMBROILED IN NEW CONFLICT
At Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a conflict erupted
when a candidate for a faculty job was rejected after saying
that women could be pastors. The president fired a dean who had
protested the rejection, the faculty assailed the firing, and
students complained to accreditors. The conflict reflects
tension between conservative and moderate baptists.
"THE BEST MATCH" AT WESLEYAN
Douglas J. Bennet, Jr., knew what to do when the president of
Wesleyan University resigned: He applied for the job. It seemed
like a perfect fit -- he, his father, and his two children
graduated from the university -- and he landed the position.
His path to the presidency, however, led not through academe
but through government service.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SHOULD THERE BE A COMPUTER IN EVERY DORM?
Many colleges are wrestling with the question of whether to
require students to own computers. On some campuses, the
requirement is popular despite the cost of the equipment; on
others, concern has grown that the mandate will deter poor
students from applying. Some critics say the money would be
better spent on campus networks and computer centers.
- THE COMPANY THAT RUNS Mind Extension University has
announced the creation of International University College,
a non-profit institution it bills as a low-cost alternative
to traditional higher education.
- LIBRARY AND COMPUTER-CENTER STAFF MEMBERS should work
together more closely, according to a 102-page compendium of
papers just published by Library Solutions Press.
- THE SPONSORS OF AN AWARDS PROGRAM that recognizes executives
in information technology are seeking nominations for this
year's honors.
- TWO NEW COMPUTER PROGRAMS, two new optical disks.
FEDERAL & STATE GOVERNMENTS (U.S.A.)
TOWN AND GOWN SQUARE OFF OVER TAXES
Colleges around the United States are accusing their hometowns
of using hardball tactics as a means of winning payments in
lieu of taxes from institutions that are tax-exempt. One city
is threatening to challenge its institutions' tax status in
court. The cities say that local colleges pay no taxes but
still avail themselves of public services.
I.R.S. SAYS U. OF WISCONSIN OWES $81-MILLION
The Internal Revenue Service says the University of Wisconsin
at Madison failed to withhold federal income and Social
Security taxes from the paychecks of research assistants over
a six-year period. The federal agency claims that the work
performed by the assistants was like a regular job, not part of
their graduate education.
NOT AN "EDUCATION PRESIDENT" AMONG THEM?
Among the nine men seeking, or expected to seek, the Republican
nomination for President are two former college presidents, two
Ph.D.'s, three former professors, a former U.S. Secretary of
Education, and a Rhodes scholar. But what pledge have five of
them taken? To abolish the Education Department.
MORE INSTITUTIONS ENLIST IN DIRECT-LOAN PROGRAM
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program already has 104
participants, and next year more than 1,400 will join. In
1996-97, 451 more will enlist, President Clinton announced last
week. Meanwhile, a Congressman questioned the President's claim
that the program would save money.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCALES BACK AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The Contra Costa Community College District has abandoned a
two-year-old practice of sometimes adding finalists during
searches for faculty members solely on the basis of their race,
ethnicity, or gender. The California college found that the
practice may have violated state and federal laws.
- A MEMBER OF THE WASHINGTON STATE House of Representatives
angered many of his colleagues when he used an
undergraduate's sketch of a nude woman to show that students
do not take their education seriously.
- A CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR HAS PROPOSED closing three
universities in the state each year. His aim, he says, is to
draw attention to the financial crisis public colleges face
there, due to the state's growing spending on prisons.
- THE GOVERNANCE OF ALABAMA'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES should be
consolidated and tuition exceptions for out-of-state
residents should be cut, a committee appointed by Gov. Fob
James has recommended.
- THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS IS SUING the state's
Higher Education Board in response to its decision to deny
the university new doctoral programs in physical therapy and
school psychology. The board said they were unnecessary.
- GEORGIA HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WANT to take Advanced
Placement tests will now have to pay for them. Gov. Zell
Miller last month used a line-item veto to eliminate a
$1.8-million earmark that would have paid for the tests.
- THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ASKING colleges for
innovative ways to manage federal student-aid programs that
would cut through much of the regulatory red tape now in
place.
- MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES WILL LOSE millions of dollars a
year if the White House adopts a proposal to stop letting
them bill the government for a portion of the tuition
assistance they offer their employees' families.
- ONE NEW BILL IN CONGRESS, one new federal regulation, six Congressional hearings scheduled between now and May 16,
and seven appointments in the federal government.
BUSINESS & PHILANTHROPY
A BANNER YEAR IN FUND RAISING
Private giving to colleges and universities rose by 10.3 per
cent in 1993-94, the sharpest increase in giving since 1986-87,
according to a report by the Council for Aid to Education. All
told, colleges took in $12.35-billion last year.
- Two charts and three tables provide details from the
report, including the top 20 institutions in total giving
and in giving per student, the sources and uses of the
gifts, and more.
SHOULD THERE BE A COMPUTER IN EVERY DORM?
Many colleges are wrestling with the question of whether to
require students to own computers. On some campuses, the
requirement is popular despite the cost of the equipment; on
others, concern has grown that the mandate will deter poor
students from applying. Some critics say the money would be
better spent on campus networks and computer centers.
TOWN AND GOWN SQUARE OFF OVER TAXES
Colleges around the United States are accusing their hometowns
of using hardball tactics as a means of winning payments in
lieu of taxes from institutions that are tax-exempt. One city
is threatening to challenge its institutions' tax status in
court. The cities say that local colleges pay no taxes but
still avail themselves of public services.
I.R.S. SAYS U. OF WISCONSIN OWES $81-MILLION
The Internal Revenue Service says the University of Wisconsin
at Madison failed to withhold federal income and Social
Security taxes from the paychecks of research assistants over
a six-year period. The federal agency claims that the work
performed by the assistants was like a regular job, not part of
their graduate education.
- MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES WILL LOSE millions of dollars a
year if the White House adopts a proposal to stop letting
them bill the government for a portion of the tuition
assistance they offer their employees' families.
- THE AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND stands to be a big winner
from CBS's new miniseries on North American Indians. During
the series, CBS will broadcast commercials for the fund at
no charge.
- TO HELP COLLEGES THAT ARE CUTTING COSTS by contracting with
outside companies for some services, Peterson's Guides is
publishing a directory of contract services that includes
profiles of more than 2,000 such companies.
- TEIKYO WESTMAR UNIVERSITY WAS SOLD last week for an
undisclosed sum to a company formed by Robert Driscoll, a
businessman in California. Mr. Driscoll is expected to
change the university's name.
- DEPAUW UNIVERSITY RECEIVED A $28-MILLION GIFT last month,
the largest in its history. The money came from a trust that
had been created according to the terms of the will of John
Shepard Wright, a former director of Eli Lilly and Co.
- DUKE UNIVERSITY THIS SPRING RECEIVED the first proceeds from
the contested estate of Doris Duke, the heiress of the
tobacco magnate whose 1924 gift to Trinity College was
conditioned on its changing its name to Duke.
- 17 FOUNDATION GRANTS; 16 gifts and bequests.
STUDENTS
"FREAKNIK" WAS NO PICNIC
One of the biggest parties of the year for black college
students, the "Freaknik" weekend in Atlanta, was something of a
washout this year, as wet weather and tight security combined
to dampen the spirits of the attendees. Police issued 1,200
traffic tickets, impounded 150 vehicles, and arrested 509
people, many in connection with riots that broke out.
THE ART OF A LIBERAL EDUCATION
James Lippincott, a senior at Pitzer College, has melded his
scholarly interests in music and architecture in a handmade
book that has no end: It may be read from the front or the
back. He also sings, has helped design the landscape of
Pitzer's arboretum, and will be married in August.
- FRATERNITY MEMBERS AT DENISON UNIVERSITY vandalized their
houses after the institution's board said that, starting in
the fall, all students will have to live and eat in
university residence halls.
- A GAY-AND-LESBIAN GROUP AT DUKE UNIVERSITY demanded -- and
won -- the right to attend an event most of its members
weren't eager to see in the first place: a male strip show
at a student-managed restaurant on the campus.
- STUDENT DEMANDS HAVE LED to new commencement speakers on two
campuses. At Bradford College, the president acceded to the
students' wish to hear from a lesbian who passes as a male.
At Syracuse University, the students disinvited U.S. Sen.
Alfonse M. D'Amato.
- SEVENTEEN PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS took over an
administrative office for 35 hours last month to highlight
their demand for new programs in Latino and Asian-American
studies. Now they face disciplinary action.
- STUDENTS AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLOCKED all entrances to the
campus for 11 hours last month and demanded a meeting with
Niara Sudarkasa, the university president, who they said
was not accessible enough to them.
- MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY HAS EXPELLED a student accused of
decapitating a white mute swan that lived on the campus.
ATHLETICS
FORDHAM RETURNS TO THE BIGGER TIME
Five years after it joined the low-key Patriot League and
stopped offering sports scholarships, the university is
entering the Atlantic 10 conference and resuming grants-in-aid
to athletes. The decision was prompted by the Rams' difficulty
in recruiting good athletes and by fans' declining interest in
the once-popular men's basketball team.
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SAID IT WOULD REVIEW its policy of
testing athletes for drug use in the wake of reports that
Warren Sapp, a professional football player, had failed
seven drug tests while a student at Miami.
- THE U.S. OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS has given Eastern Illinois
University a second chance at complying with Title IX in
athletics. Now the university will not drop any men's teams
but will add a women's team.
- THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION has apparently
rejected the University of Alabama's bid to resolve a case
of rule breaking in football by giving up four football
scholarships.
- A FORMER COACH OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL at the University of
Southern California has again appealed in federal court to
get her job back. Marianne Stanley's contract was not
renewed after she filed a sex-bias suit against U.S.C.
INTERNATIONAL
IN EUROPE, CREDITS WITHOUT BORDERS
The European Union is about to expand its experimental program
to ease the transfer of academic credit among institutions in
member countries. The need for transferable credits has become
greater as the continent becomes more integrated economically
and politically. The Trans-European Exchange and Transfer
Consortium is taking the lead on this issue.
- In Ireland, a national program for transferring academic
credit earned at 46 institutions has existed since 1989,
and it now accounts for 40 per cent of the country's
postsecondary students.
OPINION & LETTERS
DISPELLING MYTHS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Dana Y. Takagi, an associate professor of sociology at the
University of California at Santa Cruz, writes that using
socio-economic class in place of race in affirmative action is
wrong. Class-based preferences are not the same as racial
preferences, and they would lead to different admission results
from what proponents, conservatives and liberals alike, now
claim.
KENT STATE REVISITED
The campus protests of May 1970 proved that academe speaks most
compellingly when it does so with one voice, says Maurice
Isserman, a sophomore in 1970 who is now a history professor at
Hamilton College. Campus activists today could take a lesson
from their forebears of 1970, when nationwide student strikes
following the deaths of students at Kent State University and
Jackson State College helped shorten the Vietnam War.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE ARTS
REAWAKENING SPIRITUALITY
Charles Biasiny-Rivera draws inspiration for his photographs
and mixed-media artworks from medieval and folk art, both of
which present mystery and spirituality undiminished by modern,
rational thought. In "Messages," an exhibit through May 18 at
Lehigh University, he shows this inspiration.