Swarthmore College junior Danielle Charette wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal yesterday, criticizing student protesters who interrupted a Board of Managers meeting on May 4. One hundred protesters took over the conversation, complaining about various problems on campus, including a lack of support for students of color, ineffectiveness in dealing with sexual assault issues, poor transparency in administrative decisions and ethics of fossil fuel company investments, the Daily Gazette reported. The following day, the school held teach-ins to heal the "fractured community," Charette said in her op-ed. While she did not disagree with the protesters, Charette argues that they coopted the meeting meant to serve as a forum for discussion.
A study released by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling showed that the percentage of students going to college could significantly increase if high schools began to offer college counseling for freshmen students, Inside Higher Ed reported. Half of high school counselors reported spending 21 percent of their time on college readiness, selection and applications, but only 18 percent of ninth-grade students discussed college with a counselor. The report gives some recommendations to help students who are less likely to attend college, including initiating discussions with students and parents about college preparedness and standardized testing. Schools that tend to have good counseling programs are considered "advantaged."
A report released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed that college enrollment decreased 2.3 percent this spring from last year, USA Today reported. Adult learner enrollment dropped over two times than that of traditional aged students. The trend reflects a return to normal levels, after enrollment achieved its peak in 2011 during the recession. Four-year public institutions saw enrollment drops of 1.1 percent from the previous year, but private institutions saw slight increases. While women's enrollment accounts for 57 percent of students this spring, females saw a 2.7 percent decrease in enrollment, as opposed to a 1.7 percent decrease for men. The drop parallels the declining size of high school graduating classes.
