Jokes about Drake University's "D+" ad campaign have been flying around the Internet, with people mocking the logo for its negative academic connotations, Inside Higher Ed reported last month. The large "D+" that is on the university's viewbook and website is part of a marketing scheme that encourages students to insert themselves into the "Drake equation." Some faculty and administrators have complained that the ad could deter students in the college search process, who may associate the graphic with the idea of a failing grade. But vice president of admissions and student financial planning Tom Delahunt and ad consultants told Inside Higher Ed that they support the campaign as an "edgy" and unique appeal to high school students.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills Wednesday that guarantee admission into a California state university for any student receiving a transfer-oriented associate degree from a California community college, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. The bill, written by state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima, simplifies the transfer process between CCC and CSU schools by creating a new transfer degree and ensures that transfers enter the CSU as juniors, according to press release from the Office of the Governor. The second bill, composed by Assembly member Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, creates a structure for the examination and development of a similar transfer process into University of California schools, making higher education more accessible for students attending community colleges.
Despite receiving $8 billion in state and federal funds this year, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's administration is delaying the last of 12 monthly higher-education payments owed to state colleges and universities until the 2012 fiscal year, the Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday. Many of the affected colleges, which are treating the delay as a budget cut, are skeptical that the state will be able to make the final payments, which amount to $127.5 million. Although a representative for Strickland assured the public institutions that they would receive the money, they received no guarantee that the next General Assembly would acknowledge the commitment, Bruce Johnson, president of the Inter-University Council, told the Columbus Dispatch.
