Liberal arts institutions are increasingly turning to Myanmar to recruit students, Inside Higher Ed reported. Although the country is one of the least economically developed in the world and governed by an oppressive military regime, the number of Burmese students in the United States has risen to its highest level in seven years. In the last academic year alone, 695 students from Myanmar have enrolled in American colleges and universities. Smaller colleges, including Juniata College, Clark University and Californian Lutheran University, have noticed that Myanmar is often overlooked by larger institutions during recruitment, even though the nation possesses many qualified students. The number of students from Myanmar is small, however, compared to students arriving from nearby Asian countries India and China.
In a controversial move, Peace College a historically all-women's college located in Raleigh, N.C. has decided to start admitting men beginning in the fall of 2012, The News and Observer reported. Peace College will also change its name to William Peace University. The college has denied that the change was made for financial reasons, but admits it will broaden the institution's market appeal. Alumnae and students have reacted angrily, accusing Peace of destroying a pre-Civil War tradition, and have argued that the college reached its decision without effective communication. The institution maintains that the addition of more students will enhance the student experience and improve athletic, academic and extracurricular programs, The News and Observer reported. "Becoming William Peace University reflects our growth as an institution and will deepen and broaden our ability to help our students succeed," Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Beth Cherry said in a press release.
The Federal Register has confirmed the formal suspension of its financing of three of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education's programs, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Experts warned that the current economic situation makes such programs vulnerable to cuts and this suspension comes three months after the announcement that the federal government's fund would be cut by $140 million. The three programs The Atlantis program, which supports collaboration between the United States and the European Union, Brazil Higher Education Consortia program, which encourages exchanges between Brazilian and American universities, and the North American Mobility in Higher Education program have all had their financing reduced for the remainder of the financial year, threatening their future existence.
