Media Watch (Oct. 9 – 16, 2006)

"Media Watch" is a round-up of recent stories in the media about the University of Hartford, as well as significant stories about other local and peer institutions and news about trends and issues in higher education.

Doug Dix, professor of medical technology in the College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, wrote a letter to the editor that was published in the Hartford Courant. The letter protests federal legislation that would allow foreign students and faculty to be imprisoned as “enemy combatants” and held without right of appeal. “With this new legislation (Senate Bill 3930, House Bill 6166), Congress has shown the world what it thinks of academic freedom,” Dix wrote. “It is our turn now – the citizen faculty, students and alumni – to show Congress what we think of it.” (Hartford Courant, Oct. 15)

Publisher’s Weekly recognized “Building With Dad,” a children’s book illustrated by Bill Thomson, an assistant professor of illustration at the Hartford Art School, with a starred review. “It’s Thomson's magnificent acrylics, rendered in a tight palette of blues (for denim and the summer sky), yellows and oranges, that give this book its standout status. The artist literally wants his audience to look at construction scenes from a new angle, setting his compositions on a vertical axis. This format, combined with Thomson’s dramatically foreshortened framing and perspectives make for an experience that’s both larger than life and deliciously dizzying,” noted the review. (Publisher’s Weekly, Oct. 9)

The “Arts” section of the Hartford Courant previewed an event that will feature a talk by visiting professor Matthew Silver to celebrate the publishing of his new book, First Contact, about the origins of the American-Israeli connection, and the opening of the “Builders of America” exhibition, which celebrates the history of Jews in America, at the University’s Sherman Museum of Jewish Civilization. (Hartford Courant, Oct. 15)

In a series of listings of organizations in different nonprofit industry sectors, the University of Hartford was listed first in “Education Nonprofits Performance in the Hartford Area.” The listing was based on fiscal year 2005 revenues, which for the University of Hartford was $187.5 million, and the University also had the highest total expenses, which were $176 million. A number of University officials were listed in the “Nonprofit Compensation—Education Executives” feature. (Hartford Business Journal, Oct. 16)

The Newtown High School Nighthawks football team held a moment of silence prior to its Oct. 13 game to honor the memory of Justin Potter, 19, a University of Hartford sophomore and the older brother of senior halfback Chris Potter. Justin Potter died in a car accident on Oct. 7, just a few hours after he’d attended the Oct. 6 Homecoming game, during which Chris scored a touchdown in the Nighthawks' 22-15 loss to Bunnell. (Danbury News-Times, Oct. 10 and Oct. 12)

Ralph Capenera, whose silky voice and charismatic style has made him a hit with the senior citizens he’s serenaded over the years at local nursing homes, may have an unfair advantage as the Republican candidate seeks to unseat incumbent Democratic state Rep. Paul Doyle in the race for the 9th House District. Capenera, who trained at the Hartford Conservatory and the University of Hartford’s Hartt School, says that politics and his candidacy are never mentioned during the performances. (Associated Press, Oct. 14; Hartford Courant, Oct. 14; WTNH-TV Channel 8, Oct. 14)

Demetrios Giannaros, a professor of economics in the Barney School of Business and the incumbent Democrat seeking his sixth term representing the 21st District in the Connecticut House of Representatives, was featured in a story on the campaign in that district. (Hartford Courant, Oct. 12)

The Winston-Salem Journal reprinted a Hartford Courant article about homesickness among college freshmen that featured quotes from Lisa Wyatt, a clinical psychologist and director of Counseling and Psychological Services in the University’s Office of Student Affairs. Wyatt said that college-age kids often “have no experience with how to sit with bad feelings. Their coping skills and tolerance for frustration are lower than in the past.” (Winston-Salem Journal, Oct. 9)

In a review of the wrap-up concert for the Fifth Annual Hartford International Festival of Jazz, the Hartford Courant noted the performance of recent Hartt School grad Dezron Douglas on bass with the headliner, jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut. The review noted that “Douglas’s dexterity and unique solo ideas proved beyond a doubt that he’s worthy of national attention; his impeccable walking accompaniment attained the high standards set by Coltrane’s original bassist, Paul Chambers. The recent Hartt School grad will be accompanying Chestnut on several gigs across the country this month.” (Hartford Courant, Oct. 10)

University of Hartford President Walter Harrison was interviewed by a sports columnist writing about the academic performance of student-athletes at the University of Georgia and about the University of Georgia president’s stand on that issue. According to the latest NCAA statistics for a six-year period that began during the late 1990s, when Michael Adams became president at the University of Georgia, the graduation rate for Bulldogs football players was 41 percent, which was the worst in the SEC. The graduation rate for Georgia basketball players was nine percent, the second-worst among the 319 Division I schools. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 12)

Former Hartford Hawks men’s basketball standout Vin Baker was the subject of a profile story as he attempts to earn a roster spot on the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves team. The article chronicled the successes and challenges during the NBA star’s 13-year pro career. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Oct. 12)

Jon Veneziano, who was a professional golfer from 1993 to 1997 after earning all-conference accolades at the University of Hartford in 1991, was profiled for the successful career he has had as an amateur golfer. The 35-year-old won the 2005 Mid-Amateur and was preparing to take part in the Southeastern Challenge Match, which pits the top eight Mid-Amateurs (25 years or older) and top four Senior Amateurs (55 years or older) from Florida against the top 12s from Georgia and Alabama. (Orlando Sentinel, Oct. 11)

Other News

Evelyn C. Lynch, president of St. Joseph College, will take a paid medical leave of absence following a drunken-driving arrest in what experts say is an unusual, though not unprecedented, case in higher education. The Catholic women's college announced it has granted the leave for an indefinite period. "It was her decision, and we supported it," Philip J. Schulz, chairman of the college's board of trustees said. "She wants to make sure she's physically properly equipped to lead the college." Lynch, had earlier apologized to students, faculty and staff for her arrest. Lynch was arrested about 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 after the car she was driving struck a parked car on a residential street three blocks from the campus. Police said her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. (Hartford Courant, Oct. 14 and Oct. 11)

In a ceremony filled with the colors of more than 40 flags from around the world, Leo I. Higdon Jr. was inaugurated as Connecticut College’s 10th president. Delegates representing 50 universities and colleges, current and retired faculty members, and members of the board of trustees followed in procession alongside the College Green as hundreds of well-wishers watched and waved. (Norwich Bulletin, Oct. 14)

As the immigrant population swells and the country is divided over immigration laws, courses on the topic are increasingly making their way into classrooms. Diverse student bodies, globalization and the media spotlight on immigration have fueled interest in the topic among university faculty, administrators and students. (Hartford Courant, Oct. 16)

Protesters remained at the main entrance of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 16, but protest leaders say they'll allow the classes and other university activities to resume this week. The protesters are still calling for the resignation of incoming president Jane Fernandes. More than 100 students were arrested on Friday, Oct. 13, when campus security officers moved to reopen the university's Sixth Street gate. The arrests came after several warnings. Faculty pressure has tightened on Fernandes to resign before she takes office in January, but she repeated her refusal to do so. The university, as well as an on-campus elementary and secondary school for the deaf, were closed by the protest. (Associated Press, Oct. 16; Washington Post, Oct. 12)

University of Washington President Mark Emmert announced a new program called the Husky Promise during his annual speech to faculty and students. Under the program, students whose family income is at or below 65 percent of the state’s median income (about $46,500 for a family of four) won’t have to pay tuition “ever,” he said. The program is expected to cover about 5,000 undergraduate students at the university’s three campuses. (The Seattle Times, Oct. 12)

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology said its endowment gained 23 percent last year, the biggest return reported so far by a major US university, on investments in buyout funds and international stocks. Returns on MIT's $8.4 billion portfolio, the sixth-largest higher-education fund in the United States, edged past Yale University’s 22.9 percent gain. MIT's endowment, including contributions, grew by $1.7 billion in the 12 months ended June 30. (The Boston Globe, Oct. 12)

More schools are revoking admission for students who slack off. Colleges and universities nationwide are cutting students whose senior grades drop dramatically or who do not complete the rigorous course of study they promised in their application. California universities have rescinded hundreds of offers for this fall. (San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 10)

In the wake of decisions by Harvard and other elite universities to discontinue all forms of early admissions, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling voted to ban programs that let students know whether they’ve been accepted to college before mid-September. They also barred colleges from setting application deadlines before Oct. 15. (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 9)

A group of students at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Virginia sued the school, challenging its decision to begin admitting men next fall. The lawsuit claims the school’s governing board breached its contract with the students by voting to make it coeducational. The lawsuit, brought by four freshmen, one sophomore and four juniors, seeks to delay the enrollment of men until at least 2010, when currently enrolled students should have graduated. (CNN, Oct. 9)

Philanthropists Helen and Peter Bing are contributing $50 million for construction of a 900-seat concert hall at Stanford University expected to become a major addition to Silicon Valley’s cultural landscape and a cornerstone of a planned campus performing arts center. (The Mercury News, Oct. 9)