Participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports continues to rise, according to the association's yearly Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report. Over 421,000 student-athletes turned out for more than 17,800 teams during the 2008-09 school year, an increase of approximately 2 percent from the previous academic year, according to the report. The growth rate that has remained steady for the last five years. Most of the growth has taken place among female participants, but the NCAA also reported that 57 percent of collegiate athletes are still men. According to this year's report, the average member institution had 399 student athletes 228 male and 171 female and housed 17 different teams.
Researchers found that student use of indoor tanning beds can be linked to addictive behaviors and emotional distress, CNN reported on Monday. The study polled 400 undergraduates in the northeastern United States, asking about their indoor tanning habits as well as alcohol and substance abuse. Researchers found that nearly half of the respondents used tanning beds and that people who did tan were more likely to use alcohol and marijuana and experience symptoms of anxiety. Exposure to ultraviolet light may produce responses similar to those claimed by substance abusers, namely feelings of relaxation, increases in socialization and improved moods. "Treating an underlying mood disorder may be a necessary step in reducing skin cancer risk among those who frequently tan indoors," the authors wrote, according to CNN.
The University of Puerto Rico's Rio Piedras campus closed on Wednesday after student protestors left 19 security guards injured, according to the Associated Press. Hundreds of students at Puerto Rico's largest university participated in a 48-hour strike protesting proposed academic changes and budget cuts. The strike comes three weeks before classes end, the AP reported. Ana Guadalupe, the University's interim chancellor, told the AP that the closure would delay the June 17 graduation, as well as August enrollment. Students have sought to meet with University officials regarding budget cuts, changes in curriculum and fee increases, according to the AP. The University has more than 65,000 students across 11 campuses.
