University System News:
www.politics.blog.ajc.com
Nathan Deal vetoes Georgia’s ‘campus carry’ legislation
Greg Bluestein
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed legislation Tuesday that would allow college students to carry concealed guns onto campuses after lawmakers defied his personal request for changes that would make exceptions to the gun rights expansion. The decision to reject House Bill 859, which would legalize firearms at all public colleges in Georgia, comes almost a month after the governor infuriated many religious conservatives by vetoing “religious liberty” legislation that would have extended legal protections to opponents of same-sex marriages.
www.cnn.com
Georgia governor vetoes campus carry bill
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/health/georgia-campus-carry-bill/index.html
(CNN)Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed controversial legislation on Tuesday that would have allowed college students to carry concealed guns onto campuses with some restrictions. Among those who spoke out against the bill were University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank M. Huckaby and R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe. Huckaby said during testimony before the house Judiciary Committee that he understood both sides of the argument but still opposed the legislation. He noted that Georgia’s university students already enjoyed the protection of well-trained police forces, whose jobs could be made more difficult if the bill becomes law. “Our campus police officers will tell you that allowing students to have firearms on campus makes their job extremely challenging, particularly if an extreme emergency were to occur,” he said.
www.bizjournals.com
Gov. Deal vetoes ‘campus carry’ bill
Dave Williams
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed controversial legislation Tuesday that would have allowed concealed firearms on the campuses of public colleges and universities in Georgia. “From the early days of our nation and state, colleges have been treated as sanctuaries of learning where firearms have not been allowed,” the governor wrote in his veto message. “To depart from such time-honored protections should require overwhelming justification. I do not find that such justification exists.” …As for crime justifying the need for firearms on campus, Deal noted that most college students are under age 21 and, therefore, are ineligible for concealed weapons permits. To address concerns of campus crime, he issued an executive order Tuesday instructing the heads of the University System of Georgia and the state’s technical college system to submit a report on steps each college under their jurisdiction is taking to combat crime.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoes campus carry legislation
By Keith Farner
Gov. Nathan Deal’s pen struck down a controversial law that would have allowed guns on college campuses. Tuesday was the deadline for Deal to either sign or veto the measure that would allow concealed handguns on college campuses in the state. He told reporters Monday that he won’t simply allow it to go without his signature, which is allowed under Georgia law. On Tuesday, he followed through with the veto pen. …University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby said in a March statement that the Board of Regents, the presidents of its 29 institutions, its campus police chiefs, and many others support the current firearm law for campuses. “We feel strongly that current law strikes the right balance between creating a safe environment on our campuses while affording those individuals who are carry users a safeguard location,” Huckaby said. “The bottom line, we oppose this legislation.” Georgia Gwinnett College spokeswoman Sally Ramey and Gwinnett Technical College spokeswoman Debra Bloom each referred questions about the legislation to the USG and the Technical College System of Georgia.
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoes “Campus Carry” legislation
http://wsav.com/2016/05/03/just-in-gov-nathan-deal-vetoes-campus-carry-legislation/
By Kate Sparrow
House Bill 859, which would have legalized concealed weapons on campuses in the Georgia state university system, is vetoed by Governor Nathan Deal. We approached local campuses for comment. Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University sent us this statement:
“We sincerely appreciate Governor Deal’s veto of House Bill 859. We recognize this was not an easy decision for the Governor to make.
The vast majority of our faculty, staff, parents and students are concerned about firearms on campus. As leaders of the University System of Georgia, we must provide the highest levels of safety and security to the 318,000 students we serve.
The Board of Regents, our 29 Presidents and campus police chiefs are fully committed to enhancing all aspects of our campus safety efforts across the university system.
We look forward to presenting our campus safety report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House by August 1, 2016.”
www.chronicle.com
Georgia’s Governor Vetoes Bill to Allow Concealed Weapons at Public Colleges
http://chronicle.com/article/Georgia-s-Governor-Vetoes/236343
By Katherine Mangan
Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia vetoed legislation on Tuesday that would have made his state the 10th to allow licensed gun holders to carry concealed weapons in most locations on public-college campuses. The governor, a Republican who has supported expanding the right to carry guns in places as sensitive as bars and churches, waited until the final day of a 40-day bill-signing period to announce his decision on the politically explosive issue of campus carry.
www.wfxg.com
Gov. Deal vetoes ‘Campus Carry’ bill
http://www.wfxg.com/story/31877793/deadline-on-campus-carry-bill-arrives-for-gov-deal
By Ben Williamson, Reporter
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) – Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has vetoed the ‘Campus Carry’ bill. The bill passed the House and Senate with the original language. The governor had asked to make some changes, but the Senate refused. The Governor told reporters on Monday that he won’t simply allow it to become effective without his signature, which is allowed under Georgia law.
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Gov. Deal vetoes guns on college campuses because it wouldn’t make students safer
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2016/05/03/will-gov-deal-veto-guns-on-georgias-college-campuses/
To the dismay of many in his party, Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the controversial campus carry bill today. Our AJC ace political writer Greg Bluestein reports Deal went up against General Assembly leadership in refusing to sign House bill 859, which was opposed by higher education leaders in the state and many students and their parents. “If the intent of HB 859 is to increase safety of students on college campuses, it is highly questionable that such would be the result,” Deal wrote in his veto message. Some parents told me they would not allow their kids to attend colleges where they could sit next to classmates with guns. Here is the AJC story. It’s a tough political position for the governor who is crossing the Legislature and pro-gun forces in Georgia with this veto.
Gov. Deal vetoes Campus Carry Bill
Governor says HB 859 would not have improved campus safety
Gov. Deal vetoes ‘campus carry’ bill
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/deadline-tuesday-on-campus-gun-bill/254830144
Georgia Governor Vetoes Campus-Carry Bill
Deal vetoes bill that would have allowed guns on college campuses
Georgia governor vetoes campus guns bill
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/5/395153/the-latest-georgia-governor-vetoes-campus-guns-bill
Georgia Governor Vetoes ‘Campus-Carry’ Concealed Gun Bill
www.ajc.com
Deal turns to history to defend campus carry veto
Maureen Downey, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In explaining his rationale Tuesday for vetoing guns on Georgia’s public colleges and universities, Gov. Nathan Deal sounded like an attorney making his case to a skeptical jury. And Deal faced many skeptics, mostly in his own party, in deciding guns would not make Georgia’s campuses safer. Deal reached back into history to bolster his arguments against House Bill 859. Among the points he raises in his written summation of the veto: “Perhaps the most enlightening evidence of the historical significance of prohibiting weapons on a college campus is found in the minutes of October 4, 1824, Board of Visitors of the newly created University of Virginia. Present for that meeting were Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, along with four other members. In that meeting of the Board of Visitors, detailed rules were set forth for the operation of the University which would open several months later. Under the rules relating to the conduct of students, it provided that “No student shall, within the precincts of the University, introduce, keep or use any spirituous or venomous liquors, keep or use weapons or arms of any kind…”
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Nathan Deal’s reasons for vetoing campus carry: Long history of colleges as gun-free zones
Here is Gov. Nathan Deal’s rationale for vetoing campus carry today:
HB 859 seeks to amend O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1, which relates to the carrying of weapons within school safety zones. It would add an exception to the prohibition of carrying or possessing a weapon in such school zones, to “any licensed holder when he or she is in any building or on real property owned or leased to any public technical school, vocational school, college or university or other public institution of postsecondary education,” except for “buildings or property used for athletic sporting events or student housing, including, but not limited to fraternity and sorority houses…”
Some supporters of HB 859 contend that this legislation is justified under the provisions of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution which provides in part that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Identical words are contained in Article I, Section, I, Paragraph VIII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia. It would be incorrect to conclude, however, that certain restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms are unconstitutional. …Since much of the motivation for HB 859 is the commission of crimes involving the use of firearms on college campuses, I suggest to the General Assembly that it consider making the unauthorized possession and/or use of a firearm on a college campus an act that carries an increased penalty or an enhanced sentence for the underlying crime.
www.politics.blog.ajc.com
Outrage and relief at Nathan Deal’s veto of ‘campus carry’ bill
Greg Bluestein
Gov. Nathan Deal’s veto of Georgia’s “campus carry” measure led to a swift response from all sides of the debate. Let’s start with the Republican’s reasoning for striking down House Bill 859, which would legalize firearms at all public colleges in Georgia. Deal said in his veto statement Tuesday that it’s “highly questionable” that the measure would increase the safety of students in Georgia. From his statement: Since much of the motivation for HB 859 is the commission of crimes involving the use of firearms on college campuses, I suggest to the General Assembly that it consider making the unauthorized possession and/or use of a firearm on a college campus an act that carries an increased penalty or an enhanced sentence for the underlying crime. From the early days of our nation and state, colleges have been treated as sanctuaries of learning where firearms have not been allowed. To depart from such time honored protections should require overwhelming justification. I do not find that such justification exists.
www.myajc.com
Campus gun veto could carry consequences for Georgia governor
By Greg Bluestein – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Nathan Deal’s veto of “campus carry” legislation that would have legalized firearms on public college campuses sets the stage for another battle next year between conservatives and more mainstream Republicans over the party’s direction. The Republican’s decision to reject the gun bill, House Bill 859, after legislative leaders defied his calls for changes to the measure reinforces the rift between them in the waning years of his second term in office. It is the second high-profile bill championed by conservative lawmakers that he rejected this year, coming on the heels of his decision to veto a “religious liberty” measure that would have expanded legal protections for opponents of same-sex marriage. Both those measures are sure to resurface next year, when the race for the open governor’s seat and a slate of other statewide offices will be heating up. Deal will have to balance his opposition to both policies with his own plans for a sweeping overhaul of the education system.
‘Not the end’ of discussion
In his veto statement, Deal took issue with supporters of the “campus carry” legislation who cast it as a safety measure for students, faculty and administrators. He wrote that it’s “highly questionable” that it would increase the safety of students in Georgia, and he ordered the higher education system to review security measures.
www.myajc.com
State’s record budget will keep Georgia construction crews busy
By James Salzer – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GAINESVILLE — The state budget Gov. Nathan Deal signed Monday includes money for a lot of things, including the first major pay raises for 200,000 teachers and state employees since before the Great Recession. But what Georgians may notice most in coming months are the cranes, road pavers, cement mixers and dump trucks as road, bridge and building projects get a major boost from more than $1.6 billion in new construction spending when the new budget kicks in July 1. The governor held budget-signing ceremonies at sites across the state Monday. Under the $23.7 billion budget, many of the state’s 200,000 teachers and state employees will get raises in the range of 3 percent. In some areas where state government is seeing massive turnover, such as in prison guards and public health nurses, the raises will be much more substantial. The budget funds a 3 percent bonus for state retiree pensions, something thousands of former government staffers haven’t seen for several years. …The budget includes $19 million to expand a biology building at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, $5.2 million to build labs and a “student learning” center at Georgia State University’s Alpharetta campus, $5 million for new cabins at the Rock Eagle 4-H facility in Eatonton, $2.5 million to design an academic building at Kennesaw State University, $2 million for library renovations in Valdosta and $1 million to replace a roof at a technical college in Waycross.
www.bizjournals.com
Gov. Deal signs record $23.7 billion state budget for 2017
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/05/02/gov-deal-signs-2017-budget.html
Dave Williams
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Gov, Nathan Deal signed a record $23.7 billion state budget Monday that includes $825 million in new transportation spending and the first significant pay raises for teachers and state employees since the Great Recession.
While most state workers will get 3 percent increases, larger raises will go to employees in state agencies that have experienced high turnover rates. As Deal’s budget request went through the General Assembly, lawmakers added 3 percent raises for school nurses, bus drivers and nutritionists. “The [fiscal] 2017 budget will help build upon the things that matter most to the citizens of this state: an education system that promotes quality in the classroom, communities that will be safer tomorrow than they were yesterday, a government that utilizes efficiencies to help Georgians and an economy that supports job growth,” Deal said.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Gov. Nathan Deal highlights education at Lanier HS during state budget signing
By Curt Yeomans
Gov. Nathan Deal used Gwinnett’s Lanier High School as a backdrop to highlight the emphasis that was put on education in the new state budget as he signed it into law on Monday. The 2017 budget includes $23.7 billion in state appropriations, including pay raises for many state employees. Among the budget items highlighted by the governor were the pay raises for teachers: $300 million for k-12 teachers and another $26.2 million for pre-k teachers. The Move on When Ready dual-enrollment program also received an additional $29.4 million in funding. …More than half of the fiscal year 2017 budget is devoted to education, the governor said. That comes after years of additional funding allocated for education in the state budget. Deal said the state designated about $900 million to education over a three-year period. …There is also bond money for Gwinnett County Public Schools, Buford City Schools and Georgia Gwinnett College included in the budget. Those funds include: • $2.5 million in bonds to buy equipment and design an academic building addition at Georgia Gwinnett College.
www.athensceo.com
USG Foundation Raises More Than $1.3M for Need-Based Scholarships
http://athensceo.com/news/2016/05/usg-foundation-raises-more-13m-need-based-scholarships/
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
The 12th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala, held on Friday, April 29, successfully raised more than $1.3 million to promote, support, and provide need-based scholarships for students at the University System of Georgia’s twenty-nine institutions. Through the leadership and direction of University System of Georgia Foundation Chair, Regent Sachin Shailendra and Vice Chair, Regent Hull, the annual gala supporting need-based aid surpassed previous amounts raised and achieved a record-breaking year. “When we all come together, we are able to make a significant investment in Georgia’s future,” said Regent Shailendra. “Together, we are intent on moving the needle on increasing need-based scholarships and it speaks to the reason we are here tonight, the students.” The gala honors faculty, alumni and one individual who exemplify true leadership and support of higher education in Georgia.
www.bizjournals.com
‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ cast come out for Atlanta ‘Captain America: Civil War’ screening (SLIDESHOW)
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/05/02/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2-cast-come-out-for.html
Ellie Hensley
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia legislators and officials hobnobbed with Hollywood A-listers at the May 1 cast and crew screening of “Captain America: Civil War,” which filmed at Pinewood Atlanta Studios. Notable attendees included Anthony Russo, director of the film; Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra; Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr; Georgia Film Academy Executive Director Jeff Stepakoff; and Marvel producer Mitch Bell.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
Georgia Gov. Deal vetoes drone bill
By Walter C. Jones
Staff Writer
ATLANTA – The Augusta Commission’s desire to pass an ordinance on drones before the General Assembly enacted its own bill was for nothing after Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the legislature’s bill Tuesday. …The veto of the statewide drone bill was one of 16 Deal issued Tuesday, including two controversial gun bills and the so-called religious liberty bill. Deal said he wants to wait to see what rules the Federal Aviation Administration comes up with before enacting additional restrictions. “In addition, I would urge local governments to refrain from enacting ordinances that would regulate drone activity until the FAA has acted as well. In the interim, I plan by executive order, to establish a commission to propose state-level guidelines until the new FAA regulations are released,” he wrote in his veto message. Georgia has a large aircraft industry, and a growing division of it is involved in the research and building of drones. “Such layers of potentially inconsistent rules could create a climate contrary to what the business community, the science and technology community, and legislative leaders sought to create by drafting this legislation,” the governor warned.
USG Institutions:
www.bizjournals.com
Atlanta City Council OKs sale of Turner Field
Dave Williams
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The Atlanta City Council voted Monday to sell Turner Field to Georgia State University, a key transaction in a $300 million plan to redevelop the stadium area when the Braves move to Cobb County next year. Working with Atlanta-based developer Carter Inc., Georgia State emerged in December as the winner of a bid to redevelop the 77-acre stadium property and its surroundings. The plan is to include football and baseball stadiums, retail, residential and student housing.
www.athensceo.com
UGA, Italian University Partner for First-of-its-kind Program in Sustainable Agriculture
Staff Report From Athens CEO
To promote collaboration on some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is partnering with the University of Padova in Italy for a groundbreaking dual master’s degree program in sustainable agriculture. On May 3, administrators and faculty from the University of Padova and UGA met in Padova, a city in northern Italy about 24 miles west of Venice, to sign a memorandum of understanding finalizing the dual-degree program. The first students will be enrolled this fall. Both the University of Padova, which is the top-ranked agricultural university in Italy, and UGA, which houses one of the best colleges of agriculture in the U.S., are leaders in precision and sustainable agriculture.
www.ajc.com
Tech gets minority business grant
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/tech-gets-minority-business-grant/nrGW7/
David Ibata
For the AJC
The Georgia Tech Research Corp. has been awarded a five-year, $298,255 federal grant to provide technical expertise and resources to Atlanta minority businesses. The goal is to help them gain access to capital and create and retain jobs. The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency grant will fund an MBDA Business Center at 505 Tenth St. NW.
www.savannahnow.com
SSU cleared to build on slave burial site
Any remains will be moved to make way for science center
By Janel Few
Savannah State University has been cleared to relocate what is believed to be graves of enslaved Africans from the old Placentia Plantation. Earlier this month, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Louisa Abbot considered Savannah State University’s petition to build a new Science and Technology Center on the abandoned plantation burial ground. She also heard from citizens with concerns that the need for progress may destroy that important part of the past. “It should not go without reiterating that the responsibility of determining how best to balance these interests — those of the persons possibly interred and those of the students who will go on to great futures — has been challenging and compelling,” Abbot wrote in her final order. Abbot ruled Thursday that officials of the Historically Black University could proceed with its plan to build a two-story, 30,000-square-foot science and technology center on the 2.5-acre tract that served as the Placentia Plantation Colored Cemetery more than a century ago. The university plans to have experienced archaeologists relocate any remains they find over to the north side of University Road in a grassy area that is part of the original cemetery. All human remains and grave items will be placed in small wooden coffins and detailed records of the disinterment and reinterment will be submitted to the Georgia Archaeological Site File. The grounds were secured for use as part of a land grant college for blacks in 1891. Last year officials realized that something was buried under the parking lot between Kennedy and Drew-Griffith halls where the new science building is to be erected when ground radar surveys were conducted. Crews discovered three anomalies they believe to be graves containing the remains of three to five people. University officials say the cemetery had been abandoned, the graves were unmarked and the history of that grassy north-central part of campus was forgotten over time. The University’s historians and archeological investigators were not able to determine the exact dates the cemetery was used or who is buried there.
www.militarytimes.com
30 new college veterans centers and lounges
Georgia Southern University purchased new furniture for its veterans center and hired a dean of military affairs to direct the center. College of Coastal Georgia’s Veterans Lounge is an all-inclusive experience for the school’s military community. Georgia State University received updated furniture for its veterans center in the past year. University of West Georgia’s veterans center opened in November 2014 without a full-time director, but anew director took office in April. The center expanded from four lounge computers to nine.
www.onlineathens.com
Police: Student stabbed to death on Fort Valley State campus
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2016-05-04/police-student-stabbed-death-fort-valley-state-campus
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT VALLEY | Police say a person with a knife attacked and killed a Fort Valley State University student on the school’s main campus in central Georgia. Campus Safety Police Chief Kenneth Morgan in a news release identifies the victim as Donnell M. Phelps, a freshman agriculture engineering technology student from Marshallville, Georgia. School officials say the suspect also stabbed campus safety officer Ernest Johnson during the attack Tuesday afternoon near the main campus gate at the University of Fort Valley.
Higher Education News:
www.chronicle.com
Tennessee Campus-Carry Bill Becomes Law Without Governor’s Signature
[Updated (5/2/2016, 9:20 p.m.) with additional information about the governor’s position.]
by Fernanda Zamudio-Suaréz
A bill allowing staff and faculty members to carry guns on Tennessee’s public campuses has become law without the governor’s signature, The Commercial Appeal reported on Monday. Senate Bill 2376, approved by lawmakers last month, allows full-time college and university employees with handgun-carry permits to bring their guns to campus after they let law-enforcement agencies and campus security know. The bill does not allow students to carry guns on campuses. Tennessee’s governor, Bill Haslam, wrote in a letter to the leaders of the State House and Senate that he was not signing the measure because he would have preferred that each campus make its own gun-control decision.
www.diverseeducation.com
Teaching Armed Students is Next to Impossible
by Kishonna L. Gray
Teaching armed students changes the dynamics of a classroom and will alter what you teach and how you teach it. How do I know? Because I’ve done it. I have had the pleasure of conducting diversity training and implicit bias training to a variety of law enforcement personnel for some time. I am also a professor in a traditional academic setting, and I am a completely different teacher in these settings. Why? Because the law enforcement students are armed and mostly resist hearing about implicit bias and discussions around race, gender, sexuality and religion.
www.insidehighered.com
No One Rule Fits All
Higher education groups say Education Department’s proposed rules on teacher preparation program discriminate against distance education providers.
By Carl Straumsheim
University administrators and higher education groups are urging the U.S. Department of Education to regulate all teacher preparation programs according to the same rules, regardless of whether students learn in the classroom or online. The department is still tweaking its proposed rules on how states should evaluate teacher preparation programs. Since April 1, the department has collected input specifically on how those rules would affect distance education programs, in which education is delivered in some setting other than a brick-and-mortar classroom — a growing segment of teacher education. The comment period closed on Monday. The rules, which have been in the works for years, have been a source of controversy because of how they seek to connect student outcomes to federal funding in the form of Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.
www.insidehighered.com
Good Outcomes for Transfers
Study finds that students who start at community college earn bachelor’s degrees at much lower rates — but those who transfer fare as well as (or better than) “native” four-year-college students.
By Doug Lederman
Students who enrolled in community colleges were significantly less likely to earn bachelor’s degrees and had lower early-career earnings than peers who went directly to four-year institutions, but those who ultimately transferred to four-year colleges performed equally to those who went directly into four-year institutions, a new study has found. The research, conducted by the Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment at the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, examines terrain that has become increasingly important as more students (often encouraged by policy makers) consider enrolling in two-year institutions because they are less expensive.
www.insidehighered.com
Education Dept. Releases Title IX Exemptions, Requests
The Education Department is now making public a list of all the colleges and universities that have received religious exemptions to parts of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The department is also making public a list of those currently requesting the exemptions. All of the lists may be found here. The law allows colleges that believe that their religious convictions will be violated by some parts of Title IX to receive the exemptions. In many cases, these exemptions relate to what the Education Department’s interpretation of Title IX considers, for example, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
www.wsj.com
Why So Many Chinese Students Come to the U.S.
They’re eager to escape flawed education systems back home, where low standards are leaving many ill-prepared for a global economy
http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-so-many-chinese-students-come-to-the-u-s-1462123552
By Te-Ping Chen and Miriam Jordan
YANGZHOU, China—Fan Yue looked into the future and didn’t like what she saw. As a high-school student in this eastern Chinese city of 4.6 million, she dreamed of going to college and studying education. But most Chinese universities are uninspiring, she said. She heard cheating was pervasive and that many people skip class. Students are required to study “Mao Zedong thought.” Just getting in takes years of study for the gaokao entrance exam, which is like the SAT on steroids. Students must memorize poetry tracing back to the 7th century. Few of the millions who take it get into China’s top universities, with competition in Ms. Fan’s home province of Jiangsu particularly fierce. Going through such a process “where I don’t learn anything” would be soul-crushing, said Ms. Fan, 20 years old. “There’s no meaning there.” There was another option: America. She had heard it was dangerous and wondered if she’d need to carry a knife. Her parents were against it.
www.chronicle.com
When Everyone Goes to College: a Lesson From South Korea
http://chronicle.com/article/When-Everyone-Goes-to-College-/236313
By Karin Fischer
When Daehoon Jho hears American officials, from President Obama on down, say that the education system in the United States ought to be more like South Korea’s, it’s a bit of a head scratcher. Mr. Obama and American leaders often hold up South Korea’s near-universal college-attainment rate as something for the United States to emulate. But Koreans like Mr. Jho, a professor of education at Sungshin Women’s University, in Seoul, aren’t so sure. They say that increased enrollment has devalued the college degree, and, as recent graduates struggle to find work, Mr. Jho and others worry about the social costs of so many under- or unemployed young people. Rather than equalizing opportunity, sending nearly everyone to college has led to a system that is both stratified and bloated, many Koreans say, with too many institutions of uneven quality. In fact, the government is actually trying to shutter universities and bring college-going down.