Due to accounting and record-keeping problems, AmeriCorps, the national organization that provides grants to the Dartmouth Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth program, was forced to freeze its grants, according to SEAD Executive Director Jay Davis. As a result, the $1,100 tuition reimbursement provided by AmeriCorps funding to SEAD interns working in high schools this term must be funded by a different source, according to Davis. This tuition reimbursement, which was described by Davis as "a nice added thing," is currently provided to interns in addition to a stipend and free housing from the Tucker Foundation. The organization that directly provides the grant money to SEAD from AmeriCorps is looking for funding from other sources that could substitute for the usual grant that covers the tuition reimbursement. However, if these grants do not cover the full amount of the tuition reimbursements, Davis said that SEAD will cover the extra amount with its own funding. The SEAD intern program will not change in future terms, though the method of funding will, according to Davis.
Starting next year, Yale University will not allow freshmen to rush fraternities or sororities in the fall, according to the Yale Daily News. College Dean Mary Miller and Dean of Student Affairs Marichal Gentry announced the policy change in a campus-wide email last Thursday. The administration hopes to reduce hazing on campus by postponing rush until the spring, according to the Daily News. The Committee on Hazing and Initiations chair Judith Krauss said that the extra few months will allow students to learn more about the Greek system, find alternative organizations and develop the confidence to recognize and refuse to participate in hazing activities. Affiliated Yale students do not share the administration's optimisim, the Daily News reported. Students doubt that the extra few months will make a difference in the maturity of pledges and object to the exclusive focus on Greek life as a scene of hazing, according to the Daily News.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published a report concerning increases in student debt on Monday, The New York Times reported. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York examined Equifax credit reports to gauge the outstanding loans of college students and graduates. The 241 million reports amounted to $870 billion, with an average debt of $23,300, according to The Times. Between 14 to 27 percent of people with loans have overdue balances 30 days late or more depending on whether or not allowed late payments are counted. Some students are able to obtain extensions on payments for approved reasons, such as financial hardship. President of the Institute for College Access and Success Laura Asher said that these numbers reflect an ignorance about alternatives to private loans, according to The Times.
