Society for College and University Planning

*SCUPSO—Southern Region News*	April 2009

Greetings SCUP South Members!

My, time does fly! It is hard to believe that summer is not far away. And as with the calendar year, the “SCUP” year has been flying by. Here is a summary of what has been going on in the Southern Region.

On March 10, we held this year’s first "metro-mini" at Duke University. We had good attendance and a very informative program on "Campus Security and Safety". I must thank Bob Gunn for his leadership in organizing the event, Tom Flaherty for his strong support, and the folks at Duke University for their hospitality and participation.

On April 3, the Southern Regional Council had their annual retreat in Atlanta, GA. This yearly event is an opportunity for the council to reflect on the past, assess the current reality, and outline programs and activities for the future. We started by recognizing that higher education is facing financial challenges. As a result, most of us are looking for creative ways to serve more people using fewer resources. Within this framework we set the following goals:

• Increase member participation by exploring various ways to engage our members;
• Continue to reach out to those that are under served;
• Expand our means of communication; and
• Provide programs and services of relevance.

It is not difficult for our council to think creatively and it did not take long to outline several ways to continue engaging our members. One initiative, for institutional members, is the opportunity to apply for a Professional Development Grant as a way to help cover the cost related to participating in conferences held in the region. We are finalizing the process and hope to have that available to you in the near future. Other initiatives will offer you ways to participate in virtual settings so you may share ideas and network with colleagues without having to travel. Read more about these initiatives in the Membership Report and LinkedIn update below.

We are also looking for ways to increase opportunities to engage volunteers and to grow leaders in the region. To that end, we want to diversify representation by expanding membership in the council and its committees and to continue to recruit state representatives.

During the retreat we also discussed venues for conferences in 2010 and 2011, and we reviewed advanced planning for two more conferences in 2009. There will be another “Metro-Mini” conference followed by the regional conference to be held October 7–9 in Memphis, TN. You will find more details about it in this newsletter. The call for proposals and registration are already open!

Finally, we are looking at another type of event that will allow members in a particular city to gather for a short function.  This may include an information session or tour and a social gathering.    

So much energy in one retreat! Thanks to the members of the regional council for their participation, creative ideas, team spirit, and tremendous dedication to SCUP.

Finally, don’t forget our annual, international conference and idea marketplace to be held in Portland, OR, from July 18–22.  Hope to see you there!

Regards to all!

Lily Berrios
Principal, Sizemore Group
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.605.0690 voice
lilyb@sizemoregroup.com

Enhancing and Maintaining the Institution’s Cultural Heritage
October 7–9, 2009
Doubletree Hotel
Memphis, TN

Call For Proposals!
Deadline May 8, 2009

How does an institution maintain and enhance its cultural heritage with the economic and societal challenges today?

This conference will focus on the importance of building on an institution's cultural heritage. An institution’s culture serves as the rhythm of an institution, subconsciously guiding choices through a maze of traditions and values. Share with us your solutions, strategies, and stories about how your institution has used its culture to preserve, celebrate, modify, and enhance these cultural rhythms in the face of market pressures, budget reductions, and increasing expectations.

To learn more and submit your proposal visit:
www.scup.org/page/regions/so/2009/call

Additional information regarding the conference will be published in the August newsletter.

Metro-Mini

Campus Security and Safety:
Planning for What You Hope Will Never Happen
March 10, 2009
Duke University

Below: Tour group attending the Metro-Mini Event

Nancy Nusbaum, Communication Chair, nnusbaum@txstate.edu

SCUP Southern Region News is published by the SCUP Southern Region Council to inform members and friends about SCUP’s Southern Region’s plans, activities, and issues. You will note in the following articles that members of the regional council periodically contribute articles and information to the SCUP Southern Region Newsletter. You can participate in this communication effort, too. We need individuals to step up and volunteer as state or area representatives. Representatives are asked to contribute information of interest for their state and institutions on a quarterly basis. Four representatives are needed as reflected above: Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mexico. If you are interested in representing your state or area, please contact me, nnusbaum@txstate.edu.

Planned publication dates are January, April, August, and November. Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who might be interested. Then invite them to join SCUP so they can get their own newsletter each quarter.

Special thanks go to SCUP staff for their technical assistance with SCUP Southern News and for emailing it to regional members, SCUP officers, and other friends interested in the mission and activities of SCUP.

SCUP’s Southern Region is proud to present our sponsors. Thank you sponsors for your continuing support and participation:

Partner

Hendessi & Associates, www.hendessiassociates.com
Niles Bolton Associates, www.nilesbolton.com

Platinum

Structure Tone, www.structuretone.com

Gold

Facility Programming and Consulting, www.facilityprogramming.com
Kirksey, www.kirksey.com
Mediatech, www.gomediatech.com

Silver

Balfour Beatty Construction, www.balfourbeattyus.com
Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering, www.clarknexsen.com
Cooper Carry, Inc., www.coopercarry.com
Energy Ace, Inc., www.energyace.com
HSMM | AECOM, www.hsmm.com
Heery International, Inc., www.heery.com
Holder Construction Company, www.holderconstruction.com
Lord, Aeck & Sargent, www.lordaecksargent.com
SmithGroup, www.smithgroup.com
The Winter Construction Company, www.winter-construction.com
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., www.vhb.com
Watson Tate Savory Architects, www.watsontatesavory.com

Bronze

Herman Miller, Inc., www.hermanmiller.com
KSQ Architects, PC, www.ksqarchitects.com
McCarthy Building Companies Inc., www.mccarthy.com

SCUPers, please contact our generous sponsors for information about their services and products and let them know how much we appreciate them.

Note to potential sponsors:
Here is a complete SCUP Southern Region Sponsorship Package and Benefits Listing and Application Form. You can also contact Gita Hendessi at gita@hendessiassociates.com or Lewis Godwin lewis.godwin@gpc.edu. 
 

Ken Higa, Membership Chair, khiga@lasarchitect.com

Link in with the Southern Region through our new group on the social networking site, LinkedIn. "SO SCUP" and Friends is our regional online community dedicated to sharing, learning, and teaching best practices in integrated planning. Connect with your fellow SCUPers from the Southern Region and stay up-to-date on regional activities by joining the LinkedIn group!

As always, if you know of anyone that might be interested in joining SCUP or if you have a question about your membership benefits, please feel free to contact me or any member of the SCUP Member Relations Team—we are here to help!

Member Relations Team
Ken Higa (khiga@lasarchitect.com)
Todd Dolson (WTDolson@leoadaly.com)
Mary Ann LaFleur (mlafleu@uvi.edu)
John Russell (jhrussel@angelo.edu)

Cindy Holt, Regional Volunteer Coordinator, holt_mkt@bellsouth.net

We are always looking for a few good people! If you are interested in becoming active or want to increase your activity with SCUP South please contact me. I will be more than happy to help you find a volunteer opportunity that is the right combination of professional development and fun. I look forward to hearing from you!

FLORIDA

Marie Zeglen, mzeglen@aa.ufl.edu

Governor Crist Launches “Accelerate Florida: Extending Florida's Economic Horizons”
Governor Charlie Crist charged state agencies to speed up billions of dollars in approved construction and capital outlay projects through expedited approval and contracting. The projects will boost Florida’s economy by creating thousands of jobs while improving roads, schools, parks and waterways. Governor Crist also directed agencies to promote less intrusive, more effective government by identifying burdensome regulation and barriers to job creation. Commissioner Eric Smith of the Florida Department of Education and Sheila McDevitt, chairwoman of the Florida Board of Governors, will work with school district leaders and state university presidents to complete education construction projects as quickly as possible. During the past three years, the Legislature has set aside $4.8 billion for school, community college and university construction, including $1.5 billion this year alone.

Public University Chancellor Search
The Board of Governors is currently conducting a national search for Chancellor of the State University System. John Delaney, president of the University of North Florida, has been appointed by the board to serve in the interim and until the appointment of a new chancellor.

Community Colleges Expanding Baccalaureate Degrees in Florida
Community colleges have now been granted authorization from the Legislature to offer bachelor's degrees in certain areas (Sections 1007.33 & 1004.73, F.S.). Currently, Broward State College, Chipola College, Daytona State College, Edison State College, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Indian River State College, Manatee Community College, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, Palm Beach Community College, Polk Community College, Santa Fe College, Seminole Community College, and St. Petersburg College have been approved by the State Board of Education to offer bachelor's degrees. Many community colleges already partner with other institutions in Florida to offer degrees, but now will offer degrees independently as well. This Legislation should relieve pressure on some universities to absorb the projected demographic increases in college-going Floridians.

USF to Build Largest Comprehensive Energy Smart Grid in Southeast
The University of South Florida’s Power Center for Utility Explorations and Progress Energy Florida have been selected by Florida’s Energy and Climate Commission to build the largest and most comprehensive smart grid in the Southeast, serving at least 5,000 customers on the west side of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. The three-year, $15 million project will incorporate alternative energy sources such as solar power and biodiesel fuel into the electrical power supply for the neighborhoods. Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the program aims to develop a system that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a power supply that better adapts to energy demands, and one serves customers with better reliability and efficiency. USF’s proposal was chosen from a field of 140 applicants. The project is funded in collaboration between the Governor’s Energy Office, Progress Energy Florida, Publix, and HD Supply. Development of the system is slated to begin in April.

MISSISSIPPI

Debra A. Buchanan, debra.a.buchanan@jsums.edu

Mississippi Schools Participate in Power Down for the Planet
Budget crunches have affected Mississippi universities, resulting in faculty and staff members’ increased emphasis on energy savings. As of late March, two universities—Jackson State University (JSU) and The University of Mississippi—have signed on as competitors in the “Power Down for the Planet” contest.  The contest is designed to encourage universities and their campus communities to reduce their own IT power consumption by getting the largest number of their students, faculty, and staff involved in the fight against climate change.  The month-long competition invites the campus community to pledge support to Climate Savers Computing – to use computer power management and buy energy efficient computers. As of this writing, JSU ranked seventh among the 19 participating universities, while The University of Mississippi ranked ninth. The University of Maine at Farmington ranked number one among all institutions, which included The University of Iowa, Purdue, Portland State, Cornell, Ohio State, UCLA, and Furman University, to name a few. Participants in the national competition can monitor their school’s progress online at www.powerdownfortheplanet.org. A winner will be announced April 22.

Graduating Class Size Results in Commencement Location Dilemma
Nothing signals the need for effective institution-wide planning and communication more than a recent dispute about the location of spring Commencement ceremonies between graduating students and administrators at a state university. Historically, commencement exercises were held on campus in a multi-purpose facility, until the exercises were moved to the city’s stadium about six years. The university also hosts its home football games at the stadium.

While the stadium has adequate seating for the exercises, it is a monumental and costly task to set up and prepare the stadium for the annual Saturday morning event. Also, an alternate location in case of inclement weather has to be arranged. For those who are not familiar with Mississippi’s climate, it is hot, hot, hot early mornings in May. Many students are first-generation college graduates, and large numbers of family members make their way to the ceremonies—some from other states by chartered bus. There are many children and elderly among the visitors, and the heat, bleachers, and length of the ceremonies have been challenging for all. It is a tradition for the name of each graduate to be called, to walk across the stage, shake many academic leaders’ hand, and pose for a snapshot when shaking the president’s hand. One ceremony has also traditionally served graduate and undergraduate students, which meant that time had to be provided for hooding the doctoral students. The ceremonies have sometimes lasted three hours.

For the past two or so years, the university’s Commencement Planning Team decided to move the exercises back to an on-campus, multi-purpose facility. The graduate and undergraduate exercises were separated, in an attempt to shorten the program. Nevertheless, the size of the baccalaureate class continues to increase, and during the last spring commencement exercises, there was an overflow crowd with many relatives and friends unable to enter the facility. An overflow facility was provided, but it, too, was filled to capacity.

The Commencement team informed the graduating class approximately one month before the exercises that each graduate would be provided six tickets for distribution to visiting friends and relatives who will then be granted entry to the Commencement site. Their other guests will be provided for at two alternate locations with comfortable seating, air-conditioning, and a big-screen for live viewing of the Commencement exercises. The graduating class was not pleased, resulting in a change of venue back to the city stadium. The graduates’ disdain, in their words, was due to the short notice they received about the ticket system.

An interesting story, nonetheless, that causes one to ponder concepts and practices, such as delegation of authority and responsibility, facilities and event planning, reactionary change, planning under duress, and communications, to name a few. In the field of planning, we often focus on the beauty of the physical facilities with little or no attention given to their future usefulness to changing student populations. In our haste to make what we consider to be ‘good’ planning decisions, we tend to forget higher education’s resistance to rapid and poorly communicated change.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Michael S. Watson, mwatson@watsontatesavory.com

Most of the news is still grim with budget cuts and our Governor’s tug-of-war with the president and Congress over use (or not) of the stimulus money. Here are a couple of developments that look to a brighter future:

The University of South Carolina (USC) has been involved in hydrogen and future fuels research for several years, creating cleaner energy options that reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Home to the National Science Foundation-funded Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells, the university partners with more than 15 private companies, including General Motors, Boeing, BASF, John Deere, LG Electronics, and the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).

At the first of April, USC, the City of Columbia and other stakeholders hosted the international conference of the National Hydrogen Association, the first time this conference had been held outside of California or Washington D.C. There were about 700 attendees from around the US and the world plus about 2,000 local participants. Columbia and Aiken (home of SRNL) both used the occasion to dedicate newly completed hydrogen refueling stations (there are only three in the Southeast).

The president of USC, Harris Pastides said about the conference: “Some have said we’re putting too many eggs in one basket, but I would point out that the 2009 National Hydrogen Association Conference and our parallel efforts in South Carolina go far beyond hydrogen. It’s about developing clean alternative energy options, a national priority. We’ve invested a lot in hydrogen fuel-cell technology, but we’re also conducting important research in next-generation nuclear fuel, new solar energy technology, biomass energy generation, and other types of fuel cells that convert myriad fuel sources into electricity.”

The Clemson University Restoration Institute was established in 2004 to create economic growth by advancing restoration industries and environmentally sustainable technologies in South Carolina.  It has been located on the old Charleston Navy Base in North Charleston and has six focus areas:

• Advanced Materials, Processes and Systems
• Community Revitalization
• Historic Preservation and Materials Conservation
• Renewable Energy
• Resilient Infrastructure
• Restoration Ecology

The Clemson University Restoration Institute and the US Department of Energy’s Savannah River National Laboratory are founding members of the South Carolina BioEnergy Research Collaborative, which was formed last year. They are teaming leading bioenergy researchers in the state to study how our agricultural resources can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

This new agreement will enhance the exchange of ideas and the development and use of new technologies. As part of the agreement, the Restoration Institute and the laboratory will:

• Research crop development and harvesting, including switchgrass, sweet sorghum and pine;
• Study emerging energy alternatives, such as algae; and
• Research crop-processing techniques to yield viable energy and chemical products, including ethanol, biodiesel and energy briquettes.

SRNL is bringing its environmental and biological research and development capabilities to the effort, said Tom French, manager of Bioenergy Programs. This includes its expertise in microbial and enzyme technologies to break down chemical compounds. The laboratory is playing a lead role in research into the pretreatment of plant matter prior to fermentation and in the discovery of effective new cellulose enzymes. “We’re combining the national lab’s unique expertise with the Restoration Institute’s significant research capabilities in a program that will benefit the entire state,” French said.

The collaborative’s other partners are:

• South Carolina State University’s James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center
• Dyadic International (USA) Inc. a global biotechnology development company
• Fagen Engineering LLC, a full-service biofuels and alternative energy-systems design company
• The Spinx Co. Inc, one of the East Coast’s largest ethanol distributors

TENNESSEE

Teresa Hartnett, thartntt@memphis.edu

Governor Urges Look at Higher Education Structure
Public colleges and universities may have "dodged the bullet in the short run," thanks to federal stimulus money, but Governor Phil Bredesen has urged officials to take the time to examine the structure of higher education in Tennessee. Legislation concerning the reorganization of higher education is being considered. One bill calls for the University of Tennessee (UT) Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to be phased out by July 1, 2010. Another would require them to "individually or collectively present a plan to restructure the governance of higher education in Tennessee." THEC was created in 1967 by the Legislature to coordinate and support postsecondary institutions in Tennessee. One of its statutory requirements is to "create a master plan for the development of public higher education in Tennessee," according to the THEC Web site. The Regents system, a $2.2 billion-a-year enterprise, consists of 45 institutions, including six state universities, 13 community colleges, and 26 technology centers, with a combined annual enrollment of more than 190,000 students. The UT Board of Trustees is the governing body of a five-campus, 46,000-student system.

Tennessee Higher Education Escapes Budget Ax—For Now
Tennessee's schools were spared the full brunt of the economic storm by Governor Phil Bredesen's $29.3 billion budget proposal for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The federal stimulus package will contribute a total of $471 million to higher education—including $100 million that had been cut or held by the state over the last year—over the next two years. The state will also contribute an additional $136 million over the next two years, as mandated by the stimulus legislation. But for higher education, the economic reprieve is likely to prove temporary. State funds for colleges and universities are scheduled to drop $180 million after stimulus funds run out.

Sustainable Design House Completed
After more than three years of research, design, and planning, the TERRA (Technologically + Environmentally Responsive Residential Architecture) demonstration house is complete. The home features energy efficient and environmentally responsible techniques, materials, appliances and fixtures. It adheres to Memphis Light Gas and Water Division's EcoBUILD program and to the American Lung Association's Health House standards. Designed entirely by architecture students under faculty supervision, the house incorporates several features, such as insulated concrete forms, special soy-based insulation, rainwater harvesting system, and a grey-water recovery system, among other features that are uncommon for the building industry in the Memphis area. Contractor for the TERRA house was DPC Construction LLC of Memphis. In addition to serving as a teaching tool for sustainable design, the TERRA house is an actual family residence.  The Department of Architecture plans to continue faculty and student research into sustainable design through the design of prototype affordable and sustainable residences in other neighborhoods within the Memphis area. More than 40 businesses donated materials and time, and offered discounts. The project has benefited from partnerships between the University of Memphis, AIA Memphis (American Institute of Architects), the Memphis chapter of the US Green Building Council, and the Uptown Partnership, which includes the Henry Turley Company, Belz Enterprises and the City of Memphis.

TEXAS

John Russell, jhrussel@angelo.edu

The University of Texas at San Antonio Gets Money for Electron Microscope
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $1.2 million gift from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation that will be used to purchase a second-generation aberration corrected electron microscope—one of only two such instruments in the world.

UNT honored with Texas Higher Education Star Award
For the second year in a row, the University of North Texas' Enrollment Management program has been honored for its efforts to increase enrollment with a Texas Higher Education Star Award. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's “Closing the Gaps” program recognized UNT as first in the state for the increased number of degrees awarded and second in the state for increased enrollment. Since Closing the Gaps began in 2000, UNT has increased enrollment by some 26 percent—more than 7,000 students—and increased the number of degrees awarded by 39 percent. Troy Johnson, UNT's associate vice president for enrollment management, said the award is a compliment "to the work of many individuals and departments."

University of Dallas Scraps Pharmacy School
The rough economy has caused the University of Dallas to scrap its plans for the creation of the first pharmacy school in North Texas. The private Catholic university, which is based in Irving, confirmed Monday that the school had plans to develop the program, but those plans changed with the economy. “The degree of risk involved with beginning an entirely new school at this time is simply too great to be in the best interest of the university. We will concentrate on building UD’s core strength: providing a nationally recognized, rigorous and transformative academic experience for all of our students,” said Frank Lazarus, UD president.

North Texas Universities' Initiative Earns Partnership Award
University Crossroads, a collaboration of colleges and universities in North Texas, has been awarded the School College Partnership Award for its efforts to encourage student success and offer an enhanced college-going culture in Dallas Independent School District schools. Presented at the College Board's Southwestern Regional Conference in Oklahoma City earlier this month, the award recognizes the efforts of several colleges and universities, including: Austin College, Dallas County Community Colleges, Midwestern State University, Paul Quinn College, Southern Methodist University, Tarrant County Colleges, Texas A & M University, Texas A & M University-Commerce, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Woman's University, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas.

Prepaid College Tuition Program Enrolls Nearly 13,000
More than $239 million in prepaid college tuition contracts were sold and nearly 13,000 children were enrolled in the first annual Texas Promise Fund enrollment, according to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. The fund, which allows parents or guardians to lock in college tuition and fees at their current rate, is closed until September; however, children under one year of age may be enrolled in the program until July 31 at current contract prices. Combs said the US Department of Education estimates 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the near future will require postsecondary training if not a bachelor's degree.

Rice University Awarded DOD Grant for Equipment
Rice University will share in a $52.5 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) for the purchase of research equipment. More than 100 academic institutions shared in the 222 awards, which range from $50,000 to $1 million, under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP).  Officials from the Army Research Office, Office of Naval Research and Air Force Office of Scientific Research solicited proposals from university investigators around the nation for the merit-based competition. The award is contingent on the successful completion of negotiations between Rice University and the DoD research offices.

Texas State University-San Marcos Accepted to Microbial Genome Annotation Research Program
Recently, Texas State was accepted—along with 20 other universities—to conduct research on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. This national program initiative, called the Microbial Genome Annotation Research Program, is being coordinated by the US Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI). Beginning in the coming 2009-2010 academic year, Texas State juniors and seniors enrolled in upper level biochemistry courses, will be able to analyze and annotate genomes of various microorganisms as part of their coursework. The research the student conduct will contribute to a worldwide online genome database maintained by the Department of Energy. Texas State students, along with those from the other involved universities will annotate a lengthy list of genomes that have been sequenced as part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea (GEBA) project and then publish their findings. Because each university receives credit for the research information, each institution is accountable for the work that is done on specific genomes. The work collected in the database has the potential lead to advancements in the development of pharmaceuticals. The Department of Energy began this program on a pilot basis at 12 universities in 2007, including UCLA, Michigan State University, and the University of Nebraska.

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Mary Ann La Fleur, mlafleu@uvi.edu

Decline in Tourism Affects Economy of the Virgin Islands and Stimulus Money
In March, Governor John P. deJongh announced a 20-percent decline in revenues related to tourism in fiscal year 2008 and that "with declining business, gross-receipts tax revenue are especially hard hit." The governor laid out a multi-faceted strategy to "sustain our businesses in an extremely difficult economic environment, and to set the stage for growth." The stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is planned to bolster the economy "to the tune of $244 million, which is 25 percent of the General Fund budget." DeJongh said the stimulus "is a foundation to assist through this period by providing tax reductions, investment infrastructure, keeping social programs intact, shoring up education, efforts in career and technical and workforce investment, and competitive grants for numerous projects."  Specifically, the US Virgin Islands will receive $13.4 million for the Food Stamp program, Emergency Food Assistance Program and School Lunch program; $6.9 million in law enforcement assistance; $33 million for energy projects and programs; $138,600 for Federal Emergency Management Agency food and shelter programs; $4 million for interior and environmental protection; $2.9 million for workforce training assistance; $4.8 million for Health and Human Services (child care development, Head Start and community services grants); almost $20 million for transportation and infrastructure projects; $9.8 million for housing and urban development; $50 million to reimburse the territory for tax relief checks disbursed to working families; and $9.1 million in additional Medicaid funds.

The US Virgin Islands Receives $12 Million in Stimulus Funding for Education
The territory is due to receive more than $12 million for education and education-related programs in the economic stimulus package or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The territory will receive $9.4 million under Title I, $1.1 million for Educational Technology State grants, and $352,124 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Another 1.5 million will be given for Pell Grants, $17,613 for a federal work study program, $350,904 for vocational rehabilitation, and $22,523 for independent living centers.

2009 Carnival
The biggest cultural extravaganza in the US Virgin Islands is St. Thomas’s Carnival, which started April 12, with the Prince and Princess Selection Show. Carnival concludes May 2, with fireworks by Grucci in honor of President Barack Obama and a Last Lap at the village. With a paid staff of two and a volunteer group of approximately 150, the committee has catapulted the St. Thomas gala into the top ten Carnivals in the world, according to a survey in a February, 2003 edition of USA Today. As if to corroborate that declaration, the Discovery Channel HD chose the St. Thomas Carnival to shoot footage for their “Fantastic Festivals of the World” series. According to one of the producers, this celebration was the only festival throughout the Caribbean or the United States to receive that honor up to that point in time. The accrual of several notable National and International awards during the last two decades attracted worldwide attention to the festival. The government will take in about $65 million from Carnival, including gross-receipts taxes from local merchants who benefit hugely from the event. 

UVI Celebrates 47th Anniversary
A month-long celebration commemorating the founding of the University of the Virgin Islands is currently underway. The charter creating UVI was signed on March 16, 1962, establishing the college and later the University of the Virgin Islands to empower the people of the territory.

David Hall Name UVI President
The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees selected David Hall as the next president of the University. The board approved a five-year contract for Hall beginning August 1, 2009. Hall succeeds LaVerne Ragster, who served as UVI President since 2002.

UVI Bargaining Unit Recognized
The Public Employees Relations Board has officially certified full-time faculty at UVI as a bargaining unit under the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

UVI Board of Trustees Approve Technology Park Facility
The plan to build a $9.9 million dollar technology park received preliminary approval from the Board of Trustees. The plan is for a two-story, 20,000 square-foot facility, which includes a conference center than can accommodate about 40 people, a data center, and office space. The plan also incorporates “green” design such as solar hot water systems, shading systems to reduce heat retention and possibly a wind generator. The structure is circular and is meant to resemble a modern rendition of historic sugar mills found throughout the territory. While the board granted its approval, it still retained the authority to stop the project once bids come in.

GEORGIA

The University System of Georgia reported its spring 2009 semester enrollment rose 5.8 percent over spring 2008 to a total of 272,910 students. This includes 35 colleges and universities in the Peach State. The rise follows an increase of 3.2 percent from spring 2007 to spring 2008. The largest increase was at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville—an 85.5 percent increase to 1,608 students. Georgia State University in Atlanta saw the largest percentage increase in spring enrollment among the four research universities—a 4.7 percent increase to 27,424 students.

Hispanic enrollment jumped by 13 percent, to 9,519 students from spring 2008 to spring 2009. African-American enrollment increased from spring 2008 to spring 2009 by 8.7 percent to 68,867 students. Asian enrollment increased by 5.9 percent from spring 2008 to spring 2009, to a total student body of 16,941.

KENTUCKY

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is taking a major step toward reducing energy consumption and making a positive impact on the environment. WKU announced the adoption of a comprehensive Energy Policy that outlines individual and University responsibility for energy management. The policy covers responsible use of energy through personal conservation, responsible purchasing, efficiency in building design and management, transportation and education and awareness. Governor Steve Beshear complimented the policy since it addresses two, statewide initiatives. The first requires new and renovated public facilities to be designed according to nationally recognized energy efficiency standards. The second requires certain existing state-owned facilities to reduce energy consumption by setting back their use of lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning during down periods. The state’s strategy is outlined in “Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future” and calls for a 25 percent reduction of energy use and a 50 percent reduction in carbon footprint at states facilities by 2025.

Kentucky and its two largest state universities are teaming up with Argonne National Laboratory to get a jump on the next age of high-tech car batteries. The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville will work with the suburban Chicago federal research lab to set up a national Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center. The effort will also be supported by federal stimulus funds and an as-yet unknown amount of state money. Researchers in Kentucky and Illinois will seek to develop a lithium ion battery that could be used as a long-range power source for vehicles. Scientists at the Argonne laboratory in Illinois will work on the scientific theory while researchers at Kentucky's universities will set their sights on a commercially viable method to apply it. The research and development building will be located in central Kentucky. Other research and development for the project will take place at Argonne. Both Kentucky universities already have centers that research new technology. UK has the Center for Applied Energy Research, while the University of Louisville recently announced its own Center for Renewable Energy.

LOUISIANA

In early April, Governor Bobby Jindal discussed the vital need for reform and cuts on all levels of government spending. The state legislature is faced with challenges with the 2010 budget, which is one billion dollars less than it was last year. Jindal said that nearly three billion dollars in protected funds are fair game. The governor’s five areas of reform include:

• Revamping civil service by consolidated jobs and services,
• Streamlining and reducing the size of state government,
• Focusing higher education through a new funding formula,
• Funding changes to the minimum foundation program - which provides special educational services to students living in poverty, and
• Increasing accountability and flexibility in the budget process.
  Jindal said it is important to act now because the challenges will just get greater in 2011 and 2012. The regular legislative session begins on April 27, 2009.

NORTH CAROLINA

A Construction Professionals Network (www.cpnofnc.org) luncheon on May 28 featuring Rob Nelson, vice president for finance, University of North Carolina System (16 campuses), and Hope Williams, president, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (www.ncicu.org, 36 institutions) is scheduled to discuss the state of higher education in the recession.

YouTube Creates New Section to Highlight College Content
More than 100 colleges have set up channels on YouTube and now there is a new section that brings together all of that campus content in one area. Although YouTube has long had an education category, users posting videos to YouTube had to categorize their videos as educational. The new YouTube EDU page includes only material submitted by colleges and universities. The site now features complete lectures for some 200 full college courses. The most popular college-produced video is an interview with a University of Minnesota professor discussing the science behind the new movie Watchmen. The most popular lecture video is from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras on the subject of “Advanced Finite Elements Analysis.”

College Students Pursuing 'Clean Energy' Careers
Concern about climate change is galvanizing more undergraduate students to turn toward a subject involving science and engineering. The rising interest in renewable energy is so new that it's not clearly reflected in the latest enrollment figures, educators say. But leaders from a range of schools—including Arizona State University, Indiana University and the University of Colorado—say energy and sustainability are the hottest topic for their students. President Obama is mounting a multibillion-dollar push to boost "clean energy," in an attempt to create millions of jobs while focusing on the environment. The effort includes stepped-up support for graduate students doing research in the area.

Survey Shows Businesses’ Need for Students Educated in Green Issues
In a recent survey completed by National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), 65 percent of business surveyed said they value environmental and sustainability knowledge in job candidates and 78 percent said that that value will appreciate as a hiring factor in the next five years. NEEF surveyed 1,354 people from businesses in 20 industry sectors, from NGOs, and from government organizations as part of the project. The findings have been released in a report titled, "The Engaged Organization, Corporate Employee Environmental Education Survey and Case Study Findings