A study by Midwestern State University showed that while college students spend more time reading than previously thought, roughly 40 percent of this reading is done on social media sites, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Research revealed that students read an average of 21 hours a week, but fewer than eight of these hours are spent on academic materials. The average student spends approximately nine hours per week reading websites and four hours looking at extracurricular materials, including newspapers, graphic novels and nonacademic books. Internet reading includes instant messaging, email and social media. The study's author, SuHua Huang, said professors should consider ways to embrace new technologies and integrate social media into their curriculum.
Harvard University Health Services will postpone releasing the results of a mental health survey after two related presentations last week were unattended, The Harvard Crimson reported. Officials said they hope to generate a larger community dialogue about these issues in the fall. The Harvard Undergraduate Council will review the survey results and continue to have discussions with university administrators, council president Tara Raghuveer '14 said. The study was conducted following pressure from a student activist group, the Coalition to Reform Mental Health Services at Harvard. The group was founded in February after The Crimson published a controversial op-ed discussing mental health.
NBA player and Stanford University alumnus Jason Collins announced that he is gay on Monday, making him the first openly gay male professional athlete still active in a major American team sport, The New York Times reported. His announcement has sparked positive responses from former teammates, basketball players and critics nationwide. Collins played on the Stanford basketball team from 1997 to 2001 and was drafted 18th by Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA draft. In interviews with The Stanford Daily, students said they hoped Collins's decision will lead to improvements in Stanford's community for LGBT athletes and students.
