A Tale of Two Colleges

Dearest Readers,

 

Divide and conquer. Let's cut the campus in half, with a North-Western and a South-Eastern College. We could have intramural games to gain control of the globe, which sits right on the line of demarcation. We could have favorite college of the month contests, with the loser transfering funds to the winner so they can grow their programs. To realign or restructure campus, departments could simply move across the border to join the other college, so it would not require a name change or sewing new banners for commencement.

 

Your truly,

Lady Whistledown

AI copyright

The scary truth about AI copyright is nobody knows what will happen next theverge.com

NYTimes.com: Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?

From The New York Times:

" But just as individual students pay a cost in lost wages when they opt out (or drop out) of college, there is a larger cost when millions of students do so — especially as other nations keep charging ahead. Holtz-Eakin and Lee calculated the price to the American economy of the millions of missing college grads they are projecting: $1.2 trillion in lost economic output by the end of the decade. That is one cost we are likely to bear together, winners and losers alike."

Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?

For most people, the new economics of higher ed make going to college a risky bet.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/05/magazine/college-worth-price.html

Summer's end

Dearest Readers,

 

It was hot and it made us cough. Time to see far-flung relatives, to venture into nature, to plan for great courses, to tend the garden and to harvest. To reflect, to write, to fix up our homes or to abandon them for months. First summmer we did not think about Covid, and then cases propped up left and right. Summer's out, students are back, departments meet 9/8 during common meeting time and governance resumes 9/15 same time.

 

Yours truly,

Lady Whistledown

Owl Pellets

Dearest Readers,

 

Announced months ago, convocation is just days away. Department chairs are wearing tanks to show off departmental tats (see above) in different aspect ratios, senior faculty are digging out their tenure medals, Ramon-nostalgics are sporting ties and kilts sewn from WSU tartan, academic affairs fanboys are wearing last year's swag, and the barbership quartet is hooting in six-part harmony.

 

Your truly,

Lady Whistledown

Roomination

Dearest Readers,

 

With one academic building reopened and one closed, where are classes taught? The table gives an overview of how many rooms are used for teaching in each building, and how many sections are scheduled (not corrected for cross-listing). Wilson and Bates win, with Online a close third (curiously, the Online building lacks rooms and is absent from the campus map). If you teach MWF in a dimly lit room with low ceiling and high humidity, consider switching to Parenzo 249 for an upgrade.

 

Your truly,

Lady Whistledown

Dearest Readers,

 

Stemming from a multi-department effort, our uni was awarded an NSF S-STEM grant, allowing substantial stipends for selected STEM students and boosting academic and career support. Congratulations to all of those involved in preparing the application!

 

Your truly,

Lady Whistledown