Category Archives: Student Life

Kilpatrick spoke and…

Posted on November 29, 2011 by | 10 Comments

… not much happened, as far as I can tell.  Here’s a link to a Freep story about it; anyone there and/or hear anything else?

By the way, as far as the argument goes about transparency and state money and taxes and all of that:  I think that EMU did what it was obligated and should have done, and that’s that.  According to the Freep, B.L.A.C.K. paid 400 bucks for a plane ticket for Kilpatrick to speak and that was about it.  Big deal.

Furthermore, my concern as a professor would be to find out where the line is for this “call for transparency” and/or “accountability.”  For example, if I teach something in a class suggesting that maybe a communist-style state might not be such a bad idea, that we ought to heed the protests of the “Occupy” movements and consider systematic ways of redistributing wealth in this country, am I going to be called out because I’m teaching controversial issues on the tax dollar’s dime?  I would hope not.  So, while I’m no supporter of Kilpatrick, I don’t see what exactly is different about him coming in and talking about second chances and about how he was treated unfairly and all the rest.

Oh, there was one thing about the Freep story I didn’t get:

Kilpatrick did not address in specifics his current troubles. He is facing federal public corruption charges. He’s pled not guilty to those.

He walked away from a press conference following the speech when questions were raised about those charges and about allegations he had taken a $10,000 bribe in a bathroom.

Is this an old charge or is this something new?

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Posted in Buildings and Grounds, EMU Events, In the media..., Student Life

“Kwame Kilpatrick is coming to EMU, causing controversy already”

Posted on November 20, 2011 by | 43 Comments

I hadn’t heard about this until I stumbled across this on Facebook: “Kwame Kilpatrick is coming to EMU, causing controversy already,” as reported in the Eastern Echo.  Wow, go figure.  Kilpatrick is coming on November 29 and it’s an event sponsored by B.L.A.C.K.: Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge.

A lot of the article involves Communications VP Walter Kraft explaining why EMU is okay with Kilpatrick speaking at EMU between stints in jail and student complaints about the event.  I think both points are correct about this:  based on EMU’s policies, there is no reason why B.L.A.C.K can’t bring in Kilpatrick to speak.  But I have to think that it isn’t exactly good judgement to bring in Kilpatrick, either.

 

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Posted in EMU Events, In the media..., Student Life

“Researches Rate RateMyProfessors, and Find It Useful if Not Chili-Pepper Hot”

Posted on November 18, 2011 by | 1 Comment

This is behind the paypal at The Chronicle of Higher Education, “Researches Rate RateMyProfessors, and Find It Useful if Not Chili-Pepper Hot.” Basically, it is about a study which suggests that the ratings on RateMyProfessors for teachers that have at least 10 entries are just as accurate as other student evaluation measures.

Of course, that is part of the problem:  the evaluations that students fill out at the end of classes are only “kinda useful,” at least in my experience.  In my evaluations, I see a major correlation between the level of the class and the average grades students earn:  that is, my evaluations for freshmen-level classes where lots of students are getting Cs are worse than they are for senior-level classes where lots of students are getting Bs and As.

Plus RateMyProfessors has lots of “outliers” since relatively few students post there, and often enough, the comments that are posted are wildly inaccurate. Just yesterday, I was talking with a colleague of mine about RateMyProfessors and what to do about a comment that was posted about him that was demonstrably not accurate.  I told him I’ve complained before to RateMyProfessors about some of those kinds of comments and they’ve been removed, but really, there isn’t much you can do.

And yes, every faculty person I know looks at RateMyProfessors once in a while.

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Posted in Academics, Faculty Life, In the media..., Student Life

EMU makes “Military Friendly” Schools list

Posted on November 10, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Sure, this is a PR story that was sent to me by Geoff “Geoff” Larcom, but as Veteran’s day approaches, it seems a story worth sharing.  According to GI Jobs magazine EMU is ranked as a “military friendly” university.  Here’s a quote from the press release:

Eastern Michigan University has been named one of the country’s top “military friendly” schools by GI Jobs magazine for 2012. The magazine’s list recognizes the 15 percent of universities and colleges that best serve veterans nationwide. The full list is at http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfsList.aspx

“Our student veterans have earned our thanks and gratitude for serving our country,” said Bernice Lindke, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at EMU.  ”I am glad that Eastern Michigan University is able to recognize their service by providing them with a welcoming and supportive environment.”

Criteria for making the list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, financial commitment to veterans and academic accreditation.

For what it’s worth, I have some colleagues in my field– both ex-military and both teaching at military academies now– who put together a special issue of a journal called Kairos about “Rhetoric, Technology, and the Military.”  Some folks here might be interested in checking that out.

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Posted in Academics, EMU Branding, Student Life

Analysis: College costs shift to families

Posted on October 28, 2011 by | 11 Comments

I’m not sure if this is the article that Cheryl is referring to in her comment, but it’s a pretty good one anyway:  “Analysis:  College costs shift to families,” which I found on some kind of CBS news web site but which I think has appeared a number of places since it’s a AP wire story.  I think.  Anyway, I think it argues pretty effectively that over the last couple of decades, Americans have come to believe in increasing numbers that college was “essential” to be successful, and at the same time, states have defunded higher education.  Increased demand combined with lower public support equals higher costs.

The EMU connection comes at the end where we learn about Leah Shutes, “a third-year student working toward a degree in journalism,” who is already $60,000 in debt.  I’m not sure what Shutes situation is and I don’t want to make too many judgements, but that seems like way too much borrowing to me.  I do think this passage at the end sums up things fairly well:

The Eastern Michigan campus, serving a region where the economy struggled throughout the 2000s, may not appear at first glance much different than a decade ago.

But roughly twice as many students, and about half of all enrollees, now receive Pell Grants. That’s indicative of more federal aid but also more struggling students; most Pell recipients come from families earning less than $50,000.

A recent college health survey showed increased student stress. More students are trying to make do without purchasing textbooks. Administrators say students are now working two and three jobs instead of one, which affects their work.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” said Bernice Lindke, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management.

Ten years ago, EMU enrolled 24,300 students and received $90 million from the state of Michigan. Last year it had slightly fewer students and got roughly $65 million. Meanwhile, tuition has doubled. The university used to get one-quarter of its budget directly from students; now it depends on them for three-quarters.

 

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Posted in Budgets, In the media..., Student Life

“Obama Unveils Plan for Student Loan Borrowers”

Posted on October 27, 2011 by | Leave a comment

I heard this story on NPR yesterday, though this text is from the associated press.  And of course, it’s been reported elsewhere.  Here’s a snippet:

Obama’s plan will accelerate a measure passed by Congress that reduces the maximum required payment on student loans from 15 percent of discretionary income annually to 10 percent. He will put it into effect in 2012, instead of 2014. In addition, the White House says the remaining debt would be forgiven after 20 years, instead of 25. About 1.6 million borrowers could be affected.

He will also allow borrowers who have a loan from the Federal Family Education Loan Program and a direct loan from the government to consolidate them into one. The consolidated loan would carry an interest rate of up to a half percentage point less than before. This could affect 5.8 million borrowers.

Student loan debt keeps becoming a bigger deal–according to the radio version of the story reported  the other day, student loan debt is now larger than credit card debt, and it is one of the frequently mentioned complaints by the Occupy Wall Street movement.  So this might help, at least some students.  Though student loans are complicated.

When I was in graduate school, I borrowed money a couple of times (my undergraduate degree was cheap enough that with my parental support and work, I didn’t need to go into debt).  Some of that borrowing was money I really did need to live, but I will freely admit (with a couple decades of hindsight) that some of that money really was frivolous and was the kind of borrowing made by a 20-something who was thinking of the “here and now” and not of the interest rates and the future.  I am pretty sure that the same is true for our current students:  that is, while a lot of (most?) the borrowing is completely legitimate, I suspect that some of it is about supporting a lifestyle rather than an education.

And when I was borrowing money, there weren’t any of these private lenders giving out money in the form of student loans with crazy-high interest rates.  It seems to me that this is another example of bankers gone wild in the last 20 years.

By the way, I finished my PhD in 1996 and I am still paying off the last trickle of student loans.

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Posted in Administrator Life, Budgets, In the media..., Student Life

The best and the worst universities using dubious measurements

Posted on October 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

I came across a couple of interesting “best” and “worst” of universities today.  First, there’s Forbes Magazine’s “The World’s Top Universities 2011.”  As the article acknowledges, their rankings don’t correspond in most ways to the infamous ratings from U.S. News and World Report, but it’s still interesting.  And I like this opening passage:

The debate about primary and secondary education is still raging in the U.S., with statistics backing up the sense that the system is failing too many students. One Department of Education study found that 30 million adults in the U.S. were functionally illiterate. Another Department of Ed report ranks the U.S. at 24 out of 65 countries for math proficiency among 15-year-olds.

But when it comes to higher education, the U.S. does better than any other country, according to the eighth annual ranking of the world’s top universities, put out by Times Higher Education, a London magazine that tracks the higher ed market. The 2011 World University Rankings are dominated by U.S. schools. They hold 75 spots among the top 200, up three schools since last year. Seven U.S. schools are in the top 10. The U.K. comes in a distant second, with 32 schools in the top 200 and three in the top 10.

So maybe higher education in the U.S. isn’t going to hell in a handbasket.  By the way, that liberal arts university in Ann Arbor with the football team finished 18th on the list.

On the flip-side of this is “25 Colleges With the Worst Professors 2011.”  Keep in mind that the definition of “worst” is defined by ratings on Ratemyprofessor.com.  As my wife pointed out when she saw this, it might perhaps be better called “universities in America with the grumpiest students.”  Still, it’s interesting that MAC and/or Michigan rivals Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and University of Toledo are on the list.

 

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Posted in Academics, College Fun, In the media..., Student Life

Congrats to the “superior” Beta Alpha Psi accountants and their leader Howard Bunsis

Posted on October 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A loyal EMUTalk.org reader and PR guy forwarded me this link to an EMU press release, “Dandy dozen: EMU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi recognized as “superior” by national accounting honors organization for 12th year in a row under the leadership of professor Howard Bunsis.”  Here’s a quote:

The Eastern Michigan University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, a national accounting honors organization, has been recognized internationally as a superior chapter for the past academic year.

In a letter announcing the honor, Beta Alpha Psi president Mary Stone cited the leadership of accounting professor Howard Bunsis, faculty advisor of the EMU chapter.

“Recognition as a superior chapter is a significant accomplishment,” said Stone. “Under the leadership of Howard Bunsis, the Epsilon Omega Chapter has far exceeded the minimum requirements of Beta Alpha Psi, and has excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism and leadership.”

Dang, that Bunsis is a busy dude.  Congrats to him and his accounting student charges!

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Posted in College Fun, EMU-AAUP, Faculty Life, Student Life

“Michigan universities set own rules on illegal immigrant tuition rates”

Posted on October 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A loyal EMUTalk.org reader sent me a link about this issue– though I think to a different article– that has kind of/sort of gotten Rick Perry in trouble with some Republicans, tuition for illegal aliens.  The Freep’s ”Michigan universities set own rules on illegal immigrant tuition rates” outlines how this works in Michigan.  Here’s a quote:

As political hot cakes go, Gov. Rick Perry’s support for his state’s guarantee of lower cost in-state tuition for illegal immigrants attending Texas’ public universities sizzled at a recent Republican presidential debate.

Twelve other states have similar laws, even as others have banned the cheaper home state tuitions.

But at Michigan’s public universities, the rules depend on the school.

At the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, the rule is clear: no discounts.

“They are eligible for institutional aid. I am comfortable with the policy,” Regent Olivia Maynard, D-Goodrich, said of the policy adopted in 2005.

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Posted in In the media..., Student Life

Ellen Kaplan playwright to speak on using theatre in conflict zones October 10

Posted on October 1, 2011 by | Leave a comment

An loyal EMUTalk.org reader wanted me to pass along information about a pretty interesting speaker coming to campus soon, Ellen Kaplan.  Here’s a link to the EMU press release, “Noted author, playwright to speak on using theatre in conflict zones to heal emotional, social scars.”

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Posted in EMU Events, Student Life