President Barack Obama's new education plan would require some colleges' financial aid offices to hire new staff members and to spend thousands of dollars on software, a switch that could hurt small colleges already struggling economically, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Part of Obama's proposal would eliminate the guaranteed loan program which offers federal subsidies for bank loans to students in exchange for direct lending where the United States Department of Education issues loans to students directly through their college or university. Although some support the change in light of the precarious financial state of many banks, direct lending would could cost universities up to $400,000 in staff and technology adjustments, Rep. Howard McKeon, R-Calif., told the Chronicle. Members of Congress who support the program told the Chronicle that it is a crucial step toward streamlining and improving federal financial aid, claiming that the program will ultimately save students, colleges and the government money. Supporters of the plan are exploring ways to help colleges afford the transition, the Chronicle reported.
Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires that athletes have insurance before competing, a lack of strict guidelines for this insurance has left many injured athletes surprised when they have to pay for their medical bills, The New York Times reported. Some students, especially those insured through their parent's plans, have limited coverage for varsity sport injuries or for out-of-state treatment, or do not completely cover the bill, according to The Times. Several Big Ten schools offer complete coverage for varsity athletes' medical expenses, while athletes at other schools have often shouldered as much as $80,000 in debt, The Times reported. Parents of Dartmouth athletes will not have to pay for the treatment of many athletic injuries, according to a letter Dartmouth Athletics sent to the families of incoming student-athletes, although they do have a fund which can pay for 80 percent of athletics-related medical care after a $250 deductible, The letter also recommends that students enroll in the Dartmouth-sponsored insurance plan, saying that it provides "excellent coverage for sports medicine care."
Former University of New Hampshire Professor Amy Kallianpur is suing the university system for ignoring her sexual harassment complaints and firing her in retaliation in 2006, according to an article from New Hampshire's WMUR news station. An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation found that the university violated job discrimination protections, WMUR reported. The university's internal investigation had found former Marketing Department Chairman Charles Gross guilty of making sexually offensive comments toward women, according to the article, but he was still involved in reappointment decisions. The university's lawyer asserted that the details of the case are not proof that the university did anything wrong, WMUR reported.
