Princeton Creates University Channel

The Chronicle: Daily news: 07/28/2005 -- 01(for subscribers): "Prominent scholars regularly make public-policy speeches on campuses, expounding on timely topics or sharing their latest research findings. But usually the only way to catch the talks is to be in the right room at the appointed hour. Now a new Web service run by Princeton University is offering lectures from several universities free online, via streaming video or as audio podcasts.

The service, called the University Channel, is also working with cable-television companies to distribute some of the lectures over cable systems. So far the site offers recordings of nearly 30 speeches or events, including talks on 'The End of the Cold War' and 'The Future of Social Security.'"

Richard Stockton - Trueheart or turncoat?

Trueheart or turncoat: "He signed the Declaration of Independence, has a college named after him and his former Princeton home is a historic treasure that last century was New Jersey's first official governor's mansion.

But when it comes to his place in history, Richard Stockton is dogged by the charge that he was a traitor to independence during the Revolutionary War."

Tuition shock

Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/22/2005 | Tuition shock: "'Going back to the founding of this country, private higher education was always king in the Northeast,' said Graham Spanier, president of Pennsylvania State University. 'Public higher education was never valued at the same level, never funded here the way it was in other states.'

Indeed, Pennsylvania ranks 46th and New Jersey 44th out of the states in their support for higher education, according to the newsletter Postsecondary Education Opportunity.

With that level of support, local public institutions have little choice but to charge high tuition."

Corzine proposes $15M plan for college tuition assistance

Corzine proposes $15M plan for college tuition assistance: "Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jon Corzine yesterday unveiled a plan to spend $15 million per year to make college more affordable and available to state students.

Corzine's proposal would expand state tuition assistance grants, provide student loan relief and tax credits and try to coax more state students to attend college in New Jersey."

Poll: Jerseyans favor college spending

Poll: Jerseyans favor college spending: "Most New Jersey voters would support a $2 billion or $3 billion bond issue to help expand the state's colleges and universities, according to a new poll commissioned by a state college advocacy group.

More than half of likely voters also are in favor of expanding state aid to college students and making higher education more accessible to low- and middle-income families, according to the survey."

State's bond rating rises

State's bond rating rises: "After twice downgrading the state's credit rating during Gov. James E. McGreevey's tenure, Standard & Poor's, yesterday boosted the state's credit rating. S&P increased the state's credit rating for general obligation debt from AA- to AA. It increased the state's rating for debt backed by annual appropriations from AA- to A+. The improved ratings means the state should be able to save money in interest payments when it borrows money."

Seton Hall University Joins Ruckus

Pirates Discover Treasure in Ruckus; Seton Hall University Latest School to Join Digital Entertainment Service: "Starting this fall, all students at Seton Hall will have access to over 1.2 million songs on the Ruckus service. For a small charge, Ruckus subscribers may also elect to receive unlimited access to major studio release movies and hit television shows. Students will also be able to upload their own original and creative content, as well as interact and find friends using music and movies through Ruckus' digital community features." "As a Catholic institution it is a part of the University's mission to teach our students to use the digital and computer resources available to them in an ethical manner. We feel it is important to offer our students a legal alternative to illegal peer-to-peer file sharing."

More on Ruckus

Battle lines drawn over Rutgers reform

Battle lines drawn over Rutgers reform: "Rutgers University officials formally unveiled a proposal yesterday to overhaul the school's undergraduate education system, as supporters and critics of the plan geared up for what they expect to be a lengthy fight. The plan calls for replacing the state university's complex jumble of colleges with a new Rutgers College for Arts and Sciences, with a uniform set of admissions requirements and a streamlined curriculum. "

More coverage in Inside Higher Ed News.

New Jersey offers college loan forgiveness in exchange for service

New Jersey offers college loan forgiveness in exchange for service - 2005-07-14: "New Jersey college graduates entering the social services industry will be eligible for up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness under legislation signed into law by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey on Thursday."

Tuition hikes at NJ Colleges and Universities

Newsday.com: Rutgers University raises tuition 8 percent: "The higher tuition and fees at Rutgers reflects trends across all of the public colleges and universities in the state, according to Paul Shelly, spokesman for the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Tuition on average went up about 7 to 8 percent at The College of New Jersey, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Rowan University and William Paterson University, Shelly said.

The tight nature of state funding, Shelly said, makes tuition increases inevitable. During the late 1980s, the state funded about 70 percent of college budgets, which received 30 percent from tuition, but the ratio has now changed to a 50-50 split. "

Seton audiology program going to Montclair State

Seton audiology program going to Montclair State: "Seton Hall University will transfer its struggling audiology graduate program to Montclair State University under a highly unusual plan approved by state officials yesterday.

Seton Hall announced plans last year to eliminate the money-losing program despite protests and a lawsuit filed by graduate students. The program, which trains specialists in the assessment and treatment of hearing problems, is the only one of its kind in New Jersey and one of 59 in the nation."

Probe highlights politics' ties to state universities

Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/14/2005 | Probe highlights politics' ties to state universities: "The exact scope of a wide-ranging state probe of public universities remains murky, but it has opened a window into the connections between politics and state institutions of higher education." In the case of Rowan University, the only South Jersey-based school of the five state universities in the State Commission of Investigation probe, the 15-member board has slowly been packed with Democrats. The SCI will not confirm any investigation. However, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Ramapo College have all received letters requesting information.

TCNJ increasing undergraduate tuition by 6.3%

TCNJ increasing undergraduate tuition by 6.3%: "The 6.3-percent tuition climb, which President R. Barbara Gitenstein said is less than what administrators originally expected several months ago, will raise the total costs - tuition, fees, room and board - for in-state students from $17,071 to $18,155."

UMDNJ Investigations Continue

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!: "A state legislator says he is fed up with the state funneling millions of tax dollars into the coffers of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey even while revelations of misspending at the school continue.

Sen. Anthony R. Bucco, R- Morris, called Friday on the state treasurer to withhold the first installment of state money bound for the university in the new 2006 state budget."

Vacationing Rider student dodges trouble

The Trentonian - News - 07/08/2005 - Vacationing Rider student dodges trouble: "LAWRENCEVILLE -- A series of haphazard events removed a Rider University student out of harm’s way yesterday as terrorist attacks claimed the lives of dozens of Londoners."

Rutgers to lead protein probe

Rutgers University will play a key part in the search for an answer, using one of the largest federal grants given to the state university. The Protein Structure Initiative of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences — one of the National Institutes of Health — has awarded $52.7 million to a consortium headed by Rutgers professor of molecular biology and biochemistry Gaetano Montelione.
NJ.com: SPECIAL EDITION

Smoke-free dorm bill brings mixed reactions

Smoke-free dorm bill brings mixed reactions: "The Senate and Assembly both recently approved a bill to ban smoking in student dormitories in both public and private colleges and universities across the state. Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey supports the measure, so it is likely to be signed into law."