*SCUPSO—Southern Region News*

February 2010

Representative’s Renderings by Lily Berrios

Greetings SCUP Southern Region Members!

Hope this finds you well, rested, and with renewed energy. The SCUP Southern Region is off to a good start of 2010. Several committees are working diligently developing programs and events, working on how to improve member relations, volunteer opportunities, communications, professional development, seeking sponsorships, and encouraging our members to submit for awards. Leading these efforts are the Southern Regional Council members, a wonderful, creative, and energetic group of people.

For instance, Bob Gunn has been leading a group of volunteers in developing the program for our first 2010 metro-mini conference. This will be held in early April at the University of Houston, TX. The theme will be "Sustaining Higher Education in an Age of Challenge," and you will find an overview in this newsletter. We are also planning to take this to a second venue, later in 2010.

Similarly, Todd Dolson is leading another group of volunteers in the development of the program for our 2010 regional conference. This will be held in Charleston, SC, sometime between the second week in October and the second week in November and the theme will be “Navigating New Realities”. Remember, any institutional member may apply for a professional development grant to attend conferences. Look for information about these as we post details about each conference on our website. Your participation in events and activities is very important to us.

At a national level, there are multiples efforts underway. Three task forces are in place addressing fiscal strategies that optimize conference planning, e-offerings, and fundraising. In addition, committees are continually refining our efforts in membership, professional development, regional activities, academies, and sustainability.

This newsletter contains articles about what is going on in our region. I hope you take time to read and find the information useful. I offer my personal “thank you” to ALL volunteers who have provided articles. Additional thanks to Nancy Nusbaum for leading us in its production. We could not do it without these folks. As you read, please consider letting us know how we may be of help to you and/or how you may be able to get more involved in SCUP. Do not hesitate to contact me directly at lilyb@sizemoregroup.com if you have any questions about this.

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

2010 METRO MINI CONFERENCE

Sustaining Higher Education in an Age of Challenge

The southern regional council has begun plans for the next metro mini to be held in April 7, 2010, at the University Center in Houston, TX, at the University of Houston campus. The current schedule is 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM with an optional tour.

Discussion topics will include:

Campus sustainability commitment: Can we afford it or how can we afford not to?
Stewardship of natural resources: What unique challenges does coastal Texas face and how are they being dealt with?
Sustainable best practices in budgeting, academics, student affairs, and facilities.

Plan to join us!

Professional development assistance grants are available to help with registration fees and travel costs. Contact Lily Berrios, lilyb@sizemoregroup.com for more information. Suggestions for this one-day event should be sent to Bob Gunn, special events chair, bgunn@clarknexsen.com.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT

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 southern region 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 representatives. Representatives are asked to contribute information of interest for their state and institutions on a quarterly basis. Four representatives are needed: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. 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 Regional News and for emailing it to regional members, SCUP officers, and other friends interested in the mission and activities of SCUP.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Cindy Holt, regional membership coordinator

SCUP’s Membership Committee has been developing strategy associated with the retention and recruitment of members. The committee has formed two task forces: emerging leaders and emerged/senior leaders. Our purpose is to understand how SCUP serves or could serve the constituency new to planning and those that are recognized leaders in planning. The task force information that is being gathered will have influence on future membership strategy and programming particularly on a regional level. In the southern region we are in the process of articulating a membership committee which would not only welcome new members but actively promote SCUP to potential members. Volunteers and ideas are welcome! Please feel free to contact Cindy Holt, holt_mkt@bellsouth.net or Alan Travis, alan.travis@usg.edu—we are here to help!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Mary Ann LaFleur, regional professional development coordinator, mlafleu@uvi.edu

SCUP's Annual, International Conference and Idea Marketplace (SCUP–45)

In preparation for SCUP–45, the professional development committee met on November 5, 2009, to select workshops. Ten excellent preconference workshops were selected. For example, one workshop is titled, “Reimagining Higher Education, Post Recession.” As you make plans for attending the conferences, do not forget the excellent opportunities offered by pre-conference workshops.

On-Campus Workshop News

The on-campus version of the SCUP Planning Institute (OCPI) is slowly growing! Workshops have been given in Wisconsin, New York, Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Two institutions in the southern region–Texas A&M University at Kingsville and Northeastern State University in Oklahoma–hosted the planning institute. The OCPI is a way of getting teams at an institution through any planning institute step for less than it would cost to send three people to a step II. If you are interested in learning more about the OCPI, go to www.scup.org/page/profdev/pi/oncampus.

If you have questions, email Phyllis Grummon at phyllis.grummon@scup.org.

VOLUNTEER REPORT

Watson Harris, regional volunteer coordinator

WE NEED YOU!!!!

SCUP has a variety of volunteer opportunities for members. We need program reviewers, conveners, committee members, etc., at both the SCUP Southern Regional and the national levels. Volunteering is a great way to network and to learn more about what others are doing in higher education. Get involved!!! Send me an email today at wharris@mtsu.edu and become a volunteer for SCUP!!!

AWARDS REPORT

Tim Fish, regional awards coordinator

It is that time of year again when nominations and entries are due for the SCUP Awards program. Let’s ensure a strong southern region participation by getting your entries in early 2010.

February 26, 2010–SCUP Excellence Awards Program, categories are planning, landscape architecture and architecture. For more information go to: www.scup.org/page/membership/awards

NEWS FROM STATE AND AREA COMMUNICATION COORDINATORS

ARKANSAS

John Russell, john.russell@angelo.edu

A Look Back at 2009: Largest-Ever Research Grant and More
The largest-ever research grant received by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences highlighted 2009, a year that also brought UAMS a new chancellor, a new hospital, and growth through new programs. A $19.9 million Clinical and Translational Science Award announced in July will boost a new center focused on translating basic science discoveries into speedier treatments and cures for patients. The grant, hailed as among the most significant ever received by UAMS, solidified the standing of UAMS among the country’s elite academic health centers and ensured that work being done here quickly moves to the bedside to have a tangible impact on Arkansas patients.

Speaking of Green: New Grants Spur Curriculum, Research University of Arkansas Little Rock’s (UALR) Sustainability Committee recently announced a new small grants competition that will fund projects that enhance sustainability-related curriculum and research at the University. Projects may involve the development of new sustainability-related courses, substantially enrich existing courses with sustainability topics, or incorporate sustainability into research activities at UALR.

FLORIDA

Marie Zeglen, mzeglen@aa.ufl.edu

Earthquake in Haiti
Several Florida colleges had students and/or faculty in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. In addition, many students in Florida have families in Haiti and have been very concerned. This caused some campuses to hold vigils and candlelight prayer sessions as well as to actively collect donations for the relief effort. There are still students and faculty missing in Haiti from Lynn University and our hearts go out to that campus. Two University of Florida graduate students were found, bringing great relief to the Gainesville campus community. Some universities, especially those with medical staffs, are sending volunteers and doctors to Haiti to help care for the injured. Companies and foundations in Florida have donated significantly to the relief effort. Florida hospitals are also taking in and caring for the injured from Haiti. The Florida Legislature is considering Earthquake Tax Relief legislation to help encourage support of the relief effort.

University of Florida Holds Second “One Less Car” Challenge
The University of Florida has completed its second annual One Less Car challenge. Nearly 1,000 participants from more than 100 teams represented students, faculty, and staff from departments and units across campus. Together, One Less Car participants avoided over 260,000 miles of driving during the challenge. Through alternative transportation commutes, such as busing, biking, and walking, approximately 246,370 pounds of carbon dioxide were kept from entering the atmosphere. The teams that used alternative transportation for the most miles were: The Office for Student Financial Affairs, The Florida Museum of Natural History, and The College of Dentistry.

University of Florida Students Make Soap
Two University of Florida students have begun making organic, UF-themed bars of soap to promote sustainable fuel and biodiesel production, after UF's biodiesel plan to was forced to halt its operations last spring. The soap, called Gator Gylss, is made using glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production, and essential oils made from fruit peels collected from campus eateries.

LOUISIANA

John Russell, john.russell@angelo.edu

To Save Money, Louisiana Seeks to Balance 2- and 4-Year Colleges
As legislatures across the country convene this month for what promises to be a difficult budget year, many will consider major policy changes, acknowledging the reality that public colleges can no longer afford to be all things to all people. But no state's proposals may be bolder than those being considered in Louisiana. Among the proposed improvements in states' higher-education systems this year, Louisiana's may seem the most counterintuitive: Send far fewer students to four-year colleges. Directing more people to community and technical colleges, say some elected officials and business leaders, would build a better work force by ensuring that more students graduate with usable skills and at a price that fits the state's budget.

Eight LSU Faculty Named AAAS Fellows
Eight LSU researchers have been honored with the rank of “Fellow” by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, the world’s largest scientific organization. LSU ranks among the top 10 institutions in number of honorees, with only seven others having more fellows this year.

MISSISSIPPI

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

Capitol City Schools Crippled by Poor Infrastructure
On January 4, 2010, as university and college employees in the Capitol City of Jackson were gearing up to begin the spring semester, campuses were abruptly closed. Emergency messages were circulating that the City of Jackson’s water system was experiencing busted water lines, which should be repaired by the end of the day. The one day catastrophe soon expanded to an entire week.

The culprit: A city water system that was built using clay pipes and has not been upgraded in the past 20+ years.

Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Millsaps College, Belhaven College, Virginia College and all elementary and secondary schools were closed. Some of the challenges faced by the schools included the following:

Conducting registration for spring semester;
Housing for out-of-state students and athletes;
Assessing the impact of city infrastructure on campus facilities;
Suspending construction projects;

Implementing emergency plans and systems; and,
Rescheduling campus activities and events.

The revenues of local businesses were also negatively impacted by the poor infrastructure and the time it took to make repairs. Hotels and restaurants were the most vocal about the business interruption, but many were most likely covered by business interruption insurance.

As of Tuesday, January 19, 2010, things appeared “back to normal” for the majority of the city. Thanks to “around the clock” local maintenance crews and crews from about four other municipalities throughout the state. Universities and schools were operational again and being subliminally tested for endurance.

This experience emphasizes the importance of the following among other things:

Emergency planning (e.g., communications, operations, administrative functions) and testing the plans;
Infrastructure development, management and maintenance (campus and municipal);
Town and gown relationships;
Effective leadership (campus and municipal);
Shared resources and collaborative relationships among municipalities; and,
Using college and university municipalities as training and education sites for students and professors.

MS Public Universities Challenged by Revenue Shortfalls and Merger Proposal
It is well known that this country is experiencing financial challenges, which means that in some form or fashion every state in the USA is impacted by those challenges. Mississippi, historically one of the poorest states in the nation, is no exception. What is most interesting, however, is that Mississippi has one of the lowest high school and college graduation rates–meaning a significant portion of its citizens are already educationally and economically challenged. So where do we want to make cuts when revenues are low? Education, of course!

What is not a laughing matter is Mississippi’s conundrum of developing and maintaining educational systems when revenues are dwindling, when state leadership questions the state’s capacity to sustain programs and services initiated by federal stimulus funds, your citizens have limited education and skills, and creative solutions are not abounding.

A few solutions proposed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (R) are to reduce appropriations to state educational institutions by up to 15 percent, consolidate selected public school districts, and combine the state’s three historically black colleges and universities into a system of sorts, with the largest, Jackson State University, at the helm. None of these proposals have been well-received; however, the latter is generating the most state and national buzz.

From a strategic planning perspective, I offer the following:

Focus on developing efficient and effective educational systems. There are savings to be realized.

Shore up operations within institutions. Inefficiencies abound in organizational structures and daily operations.
Appoint educational leaders with records of effective performance, operational efficiency, fundraising, leadership development, succession and strategic planning.
Establish a direct relationship between educational leadership, student, and institutional performance. If the latter two are not acceptable, should the former be retained?
When the pressure to sustain subsides, concentrate on being proactive rather than reactive.

NORTH CAROLINA

Tom Flaherty, tom@rickesassociates.com

University of North Carolina Charlotte’s Ground-Breaking Plans for 2010 Revealed
UNC Charlotte has plans for a New City Center, with a classroom and office building in downtown Charlotte. It will be the first urban building in the University system. The architectural teams selected for the project are Kieran Timberlake Associates and Charlotte-based Gantt Huberman Architects. In the present plans, the center will be approximately 150,000 gross square feet. Public and support services space are also planned in addition to the building. The University building will be located two blocks from a new innovative interactive library, and three blocks from the new Charlotte Bobcats arena. There are also plans for a light rail system with one station on the main campus and one close to the new downtown building. Academic programs housed in the new downtown center will be graduate courses in Business, Computing and Informatics, Health and Human Services, Engineering and Architecture. Other degree programs that will offer courses in the Center City Building include Masters in Public Administration, Liberal Studies, Arts Administration, Public History, Criminal Justice, PhD in Organizational Science and a Gerontology certificate. The building will also house a Continuing Education Center. The Charlotte Community Design Studio and Institute for Social Capital will move to the Center City building. The City Center will provide small and mid-sized classrooms with possibilities for distance learning, a large 350-person lecture hall, faculty offices, and public display/gallery spaces. The project was initiated partly because UNC Charlotte expected growth. By 2012, the university expects to serve 25,000 students and by 2020, 35,000 students. The new building is set to open in 2010.

Duke University Plans $50 Million Medical School
Duke University is working on a plan to spend as much as $50 million to construct a state-of-the art building for its School of Medicine. Better facilities are necessary not only to attract top students but also to catch up with changes in the way medicine is taught. Until about two decades ago, medical students spent their first two years sitting in lecture halls learning basic medical science and techniques and working in labs similar to those found in most high schools. Students now spend more time working in small groups, practicing on simulation dummies that can mimic heart attacks, for example, working in mock operating rooms and being videotaped as they meet with actors posing as patients to learn how to interact with their patients. A new medical learning center would consolidate and expand the simulation and educational programs into one facility, giving Duke the latest technology available for educating students. Additionally, the new learning center would be located in the heart of the medical campus–on a site near Duke University Hospital, a soon-to-be constructed patient tower and the Duke Clinic–increasing interaction among students, physicians and researchers.

North Carolina Botanical Garden Gets a Green Makeover
The Botanical Garden has been showing cashing native plants and habitat gardens since it was founded in 1971. For more than three decades, staff and volunteers have been working in an outdated building with insufficient room for research and programming. The need for more space coupled with a desire to update their facilities to more eco-friendly digs led the North Carolina Botanical Garden to undertake a $12.5 million eco-friendly makeover with the goal of achieving LEED Platinum status. It was important to the staff and volunteers at the garden that the new facilities mirror these commitments to the environment. The garden, which is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has had numerous successes in its quest to be a leader in the sustainability movement. It was one of the founding institutions for the Center for Plant Conservation, took an active role in writing state laws that led to the North Carolina Plant Conservation Program and holds the honor of being the first garden in North America to establish an exotic pest plant policy. The garden has also set a goal to reduce the collection of native plants from the wild, propagating them from seed instead. The 31,000 square-foot facility comprises three buildings for offices, classrooms and exhibit space.

Wake Forest University Purchases Solar-Electric Hybrid Shuttle
Wake Forest University (NC) has purchased a new solar-electric hybrid shuttle to cart students around campus. The shuttle can carry 14 passengers and is partially powered by solar panels that cover its roof. The vehicle can also be plugged in to charge the batteries when the sun is unable to do the job. The shuttle is also simple to maintain and the solar panels are intended to last 20 years.

A&T, UNC Greensboro Break Ground on Nanotechnology Program Leaders with North Carolina A&T and UNCG broke ground on a new partnership and a new building: the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. Inside of the 100,000-square-foot building, students will partner with businesses to study how to make small things do big things. Nanotechnology deals with modifying the molecules of specific substances, a process already being applied of just about every facet of life. Researchers have already developed wool and silk material that cleans itself, because the altered particles "eat" the stains. Self-cleaning household products are also being developed. Certain sunscreens use nanotechnology to absorb more light, and medical researchers have even developed a synthetic substitute for bones. By the year 2014, researchers estimate more than $2 trillion worth of goods will incorporate nanotechnology--about 15 percent of everything that's made.

OKLAHOMA

John Russell, john.russell@angelo.edu

Community Development
The primary focus of CBED is to stimulate and promote economic development initiatives which create meaningful employment and improve the quality of life in Oklahoma and across the nation. Programs specifically designed to meet the demands of today’s ever changing and competitive marketplace include: OU/EDI Economic Development Institute, Continuing Engineering & Geosciences Programs, and Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence. The University of Oklahoma works closely with industry experts, professional engineering groups, and governmental agencies to extend the University’s expertise to a wide range of domestic and international clients. The International School for Hydrocarbon Measurement delivers the latest technology and instruction for gas measurement and control to participants from over 30 participating countries.

OSU Spears School of Business Launches Institute for Sports and Entrepreneurship Management
The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University has launched the Sports and Entrepreneurship Management Institute, a research and development unit designed to support students, research, internships, guest speakers, and the sports management program. “SEMI will strive to reach its objectives through four primary areas: research, conferences and symposiums, education, and visibility initiatives,” said the director of the SEMI and a visiting professor of management.

Oklahoma State University’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration Researchers Earn Global Ranking
The School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration at Oklahoma State University was ranked eighth among the top 100 hospitality and tourism programs in the world by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. The ranking is based on total research output in 11 leading journals for hospitality and tourism from 2002-2006.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Michael S. Watson, mwatson@watsontatesavory.com

Furman students were recently recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for their work to reduce Furman's carbon footprint. Julian Keniry with the NWF is quoted as saying "In more than 20 years of supporting student environmental leaders we've never seen this extraordinary degree of student engagement and creativity around sustainability at every level." The University of South Carolina and Clemson University moved up in the recent Kiplinger rankings for "Best Values in Public Colleges"--USC jumped from 60th to 32nd and Clemson had a similar improvement, moving to the No. 33 spot for the 2009-10 year. The College of Charleston was ranked No. 56. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received top honors in the in-state ranking, and other schools in the top-10 included University of Florida, University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, State University of New York at Binghamton, University of Georgia, University of Washington, University of Maryland at College Park, State University of New York College at Geneseo and North Carolina State University. Also, Clemson's Restoration Institute, which is located in Charleston, just tagged Nick Rigas as director and senior scientist of their new wind turbine drive-train testing facility. The USDOE awarded the institute $45 million, which was matched by $53 million from public and private partners to build the facility. Rigas was previously the director of the SC Institute for Energy Studies at Clemson and he will oversee design, construction, and operation of the only facility in the world capable of testing wind turbines in the 5-20 megawatt range.

TEXAS

Monica Hardy, monica@pflugerassociates.com

Southwestern University to be Powered 100 Percent by Wind
Southwestern University (TX) has signed an agreement with the City of Georgetown that will enable the institution to meet all of its electric needs with wind power for the next 18 years. Wind-generated power will be provided by the City of Georgetown through an agreement with AEP Energy Partners, a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The electricity will come from the Southwest Mesa and South Trent Wind Farms in West Texas. These two wind farms have a total of 151 wind turbines, each of which can generate between 0.7 to 2.3 megawatts of electricity. Texas A&M University (TAMU) and TAMU System to Begin Sharing Employees As predicted several months ago, officials of the Texas A&M University System and Texas A&M are making changes that will result in both entities sharing some employees for positions with both. Officials say the changes are purely made due to financial constraints. Among the changes: the vice president for marketing and communications at TAMU, will now become chief communications officer for the system chancellor, the associate vice chancellor for budgets and accounting for the system, will now serve as chief business officer for the system and the university. Additionally, associate vice chancellor for information technology for the system and vice president and associate provost for information technology for the university, will continue both roles but will also be chief information officer for the system. The assistant vice president for environmental health and safety for the university will now become chief safety officer for the system. The associate vice chancellor for facilities, planning and construction for the system, will now be chief facilities, planning and construction officer for the system and the associate vice chancellor and treasurer for the system, will now be chief investment officer and treasurer.

The University of Texas-Pan American Awarded Money
The University of Texas-Pan American has been named the recipient of $3.4 million in Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) money for creation of its Rapid Response Manufacturing Center that will reduce the lead time in a product's life cycle between its inception and delivery to the consumer. The center is expected to provide greater commercialization opportunities in South Texas by keeping all product development, design, testing and distribution in one location.

Texas State Unveils Human Power Plant
Texas State University-San Marcos recently unveiled the world's largest human power plant at its Student Recreation Center. The event marked the university's attempt to foster greater awareness regarding environmental sustainability. In doing so, 30 elliptical exercise machines in the student recreation center were retrofitted to convert human energy into electricity. The project, which cost $19,750, was funded by Texas State's Environmental Service Committee and the Department of Campus Recreation with support from the Associated Student Government. During the process, a 30-minute workout generated about 50 watt-hours of clean, carbon-free electricity-- roughly enough energy to power a laptop computer for one hour.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS

Mary Ann La Fleur, mlafleu@uvi.edu

From the US Virgin Islands best wishes for a happy, prosperous, and productive New Year.

Governor deJongh Sends Proposed Territorial Constitution to President Obama
The Constitutional Convention has completed its work and Governor deJongh has forwarded the proposed constitution to President Obama. The president has 60 days to add his comments and forward it to the US Congress, which also has 60 days to look it over. Delegate Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands and others may testify, and Congress has the power to add or delete by amendment. If passed, the constitution will go to President Barack Obama for signing, like any US law. Then it comes back to the territory to be voted up or down in a referendum.

Governor’s Mentoring Program
Governor John deJongh Jr.'s student mentorship program began its second year in January. Ten St. Thomas and three St. Croix students began mentorship programs with the V.I. government. The objective of the program is to assist VI students in their academic and future careers by providing guidance, inspiration, and training to students from a family-oriented perspective, pairing each mentee with a Government House staff mentor.

Exploration of Reduction in Energy Costs by VI Government
Energy costs in the US Virgin Islands are among the highest in the United States. In order to reduce costs the Virgin Islands government has been seeking alternatives. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) announced last August that Alpine had emerged as the winner of WAPA's 20-month-long quest for a local alternative energy provider. Alpine Energy Group proposed building waste-to-energy facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The proposal included burning refuse-derived fuel (RDF)—or pelletized trash—and pet coke to create energy, which would then be sold to the Water and Power Authority at fixed rates set for the next 20 years. Many of the public testifiers Wednesday said pet coke was dirty, and worried about what kind of residue would come out of the facility's stack, and whether it would negatively impact their health.

Alpine executives have explained that the residual ash from the facility is not like coal ash, but rather more like cement powder. That material will be scooped up internally by a vacuum system, which will keep the ash from flying out of the facility's stack and coating any nearby residences. Meetings continue to be held in the community to discuss the proposal.

UVI Board of Trustees
The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee approved four nominations to serve as members of the Board of Trustees for the University of the Virgin Islands. These are Patricia Steele, Henry Smock, Sinclair Wilkinson, and Edward Thomas. Steele is an associate family judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix. The only re-nominee, Henry Smock has served on the board for 12 years and is currently the vice-chairperson. He is a partner in the law firm of Smock and Moorehead on St. Thomas. Sinclair Wilkinson served over 31 years as a teacher and principal in the public school system while Edward Thomas is the president and CEO of the West Indian Co. Ltd.

US Housing and Urban Development Authority (HUD) Awards Grant to UVI
The Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning Center (UVICELL) received a grant for $794,220 from HUD. The three-year grant is designed to address critical community development needs. The project will expand UVICELL’s existing facility in Frederiksted, St. Croix. This will allow the university to enhance the services offered to residents of the Virgin Islands. This is the second time HUD has funded UVICELL. In 2003, a grant was awarded to develop the infrastructure needed to deliver training programs and provide job-readiness skills.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

ISLAMIC WORLD

Plan to Reform Nations' Universities
In November 2009, the 57 Islamic states approved a plan to upgrade their universities as a means of achieving world-class status, as well as reforming them to become "functional developmental institutes" providing valuable resources for business, industry, and society. The plan, announced at the Achieving Excellence in Higher Education workshop in Morocco, was organized by Al-Akhawayn University and the Islamic development bank of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference. The goal of the plan is to build a critical mass of world-class scientists and technologists in targeted science and technology areas, while also promoting relevant research and development outcomes for the private sector. Fifteen institutions were identified to carry out the upgrades and reform, and to promote scientific research in agriculture, nanotechnology and information and communication technologies.

Huge Expansion in Overseas Campuses
A rapidly growing number of universities across the world are establishing branch campuses in other countries. In fact, the number has almost doubled to 162 in the past three years alone and has jumped eight-fold since 2002. Although the United States continues to dominate with its offshore campuses (78 offshore bases accounting for 48% of the total) scattered around the globe, more countries have become involved as hosts and providers. The US is followed by Australia with 14 campuses, the UK with 13, and France and India each with 11. Several other countries, including Mexico with seven small campuses, the Netherlands with five, Malaysia with four and Canada and Ireland with three each, operate multiple branches abroad. A report by the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education says that among the host countries, the United Arab Emirates is the clear leader, hosting a quarter of all international branch campuses in the world.

Study Says Israeli and Palestinian Universities Suffering From Conflict
A report released in January concludes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has eroded university education and academic freedom in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel, undermining the region's aspirations for peace. Authored by the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the report says Israel's restrictions on travel in the Palestinian territories create an insurmountable burden for students and represent an infringement of civil liberties of scholarly pursuits there. At Israeli universities, the report says the conflict has resulted in swelling class sizes due to a growing shortage of higher educators as a "brain drain" sends academic talent packing to Western Europe and North America. The report says that the Israeli military operates 600 checkpoints in the West Bank as well as other temporary "flying" checkpoints that "routinely keep students and staff from campus." Flying checkpoints can extend a 10-to 15-minute commute to campus to as long as three hours. The report also cites the violence between Palestinian factions for leaving university workers "caught in the cross-fire of the fighting between Hamas and Fatah." There is "strong evidence" that these obstacles drive many frustrated students towards militancy. In Israel, the report notes that educators' salaries have not kept pace with a soaring inflation rate of 31 per cent between 1997 and 2007, which is driving teachers away is partly the due to the fact much of Israel's public expenditure goes towards the military and security, "for obvious reasons," at the expense of schools and other institutions.

NEW DELHI, INDIA

Promoters of Delhi-based Ansal Properties and Infrastructure (API) are going to buy out the publicly-listed company’s education business subsidiary Knowledge Tree Infrastructure (KTIL). Currently, KTIL runs two higher educational institutions: Ansal Institute of Technology and Sushant School of Art and Architecture. Plans call for KTIL to expand operations in the higher education segment on its own, but to take the lease-revenue model for expanding in K-12 education. It is looking to construct around 50 schools in various cities across north India. The majority of these schools will be located in the townships owned by API. The company has already entered into agreements with education services firm Educomp and Middle-East-based GEMS for leasing out schools.

REPORTED (ELSEWHERE) IN THE NEWS

Five Campuses to Help Mexican University Institute Energy Program
Appalachian State University (NC) has received $300,000 from the US Agency for International Development/Mexico to enhance the capacity of a Mexican partner Institution, Fundación Universidad de Las Américas Puebla (FUDLAP), with its renewable energy and energy efficiency educational programs and activities. Appalachian is one of only five US universities to receive funding under the TIES Phase IV Cycle 1 Competition. The other institutions include Arizona State University, University of Florida, Duquesne University (PA), and University of Colorado at Boulder.

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers
Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller, announced it has created a multi-channel textbook rental program for college students that could result in millions of dollars of savings for college students across America. Barnes & Noble College is the first nationwide bookseller to offer a multi-channel program. This will make the program easy for students, enabling them to rent their textbooks from the comfort of their dorm or home simply by logging into their campus bookstore’s e-commerce site. They can also rent from their campus Barnes & Noble bookstore. This innovative rental program gives students the added flexibility of paying for their rentals using any form of tender, including campus debit cards and student financial.