by wildcherry on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 | Humour, Knowledge, Life | No Comments

Ralph and Todd Stinebrickner published what they say is the first persuasive evidence that there is a “causal effect of studying on grade performance”.

Ralph Stinebrickner is a professor of mathematics and computer science at Berea College in the US. Todd, his son, is a professor of economics at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Their report appears in the Berkeley Electronic Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy.

People assume blithely that studying affects grades. The Stinebrickners say that there was never any real proof. They tell how others had sought – and failed – to find some:

“The difficulty of providing information about the causal effect of studying is highlighted by an ambitious 10-year study by Schuman et al at the University of Michigan. The authors took four different approaches … but could not uncover a (conditional) correlation which indicated evidence of the ‘hypothesised substantial association’.”

The Stinebrickners tried a new approach, asking students to fill out survey forms detailing how they spent their time during the first two years of college, and then examining each student’s grade point average.

Full Story:Guardian

Tags: college, Getting Good Grades, grades, student, study, study affect grades, university

by bintangkecil on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 | Business, News | No Comments

The fast-growing group of millionaire private college and university presidents hit a new record in recent years, and it’s likely more college leaders will make seven-figure salaries once the slumping economy rebounds.

A record 23 presidents received more than $1 million in total compensation in fiscal 2008, according to an analysis of the most recently available data published Monday by the Chronicle of Higher Education. A record one in four in the study of 419 colleges’ mandatory IRS filings made at least $500,000.

Topping the list is Shirley Ann Jackson at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., whose total compensation the Chronicle pegged at nearly $1.6 million. She was followed by David Sargent at Suffolk University in Boston, who made $1.5 million. However, one-third of his compensation had been reported as deferred compensation last year and counted as salary this year – an example of the difficulty of making straightforward compensation comparisons.

Overall, median compensation for the group rose 6.5 percent to $359,000, and 15.5 percent at major private research universities, to $628,000. The figures essentially cover the 2007-2008 academic year.

Those averages have almost certainly flattened or perhaps fallen since then, with numerous presidents – including Jackson – taking voluntary pay cuts this year amid widespread budget-cutting at their institutions.

But experts say the upward trend will almost certainly resume eventually. It may frustrate parents who are paying higher tuition, but experts insist the salaries reflect supply and demand.

“The baby boomers are retiring,” said Ray Cotton, a Washington D.C.-based lawyer and expert on presidential contracts and compensation. “Boards are in a scramble competing against each other for the remaining available talent.”

But the 24-7 nature of the job and the stresses stemming from the recession have made it unappealing to prospective candidates.

“Some people just don’t want anything to do with the job because it keeps them up at night,” said Chronicle editor Jeffrey Selingo. “In order to attract and retain good talent they’re going to have to pay for it. They may take a little break now because of the economy, but these pieces are still in place.”

Still, colleges will have to absorb the public relations hit that comes with offering seven-figure compensation to an academic leader. The average price of tuition plus room and board at four-year private colleges surpassed $39,000 last year, according to the latest figures from the College Board.

The Chronicle noted that 58 institutions charged more than $50,000 this year, up from just five last year. A number of those schools pay their presidents more than $1 million, including New York University, Columbia and Vanderbilt.

The Chronicle also identified three former presidents who received compensation of more than $1 million in 2007-2008, topped by retired George University president Stephen Trachtenberg, whose benefits package was valued at $3.67 million. It identified 85 colleges paying at least a former president or other high-ranking official at least $200,000, typically in deferred compensation and bonuses.

“You wonder if these colleges are giving away the store when they sign contracts with employees,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, Rep.-Iowa, who has been a longtime critic of pay practices at not-for-profit institutions.

The latest survey does not include presidential salaries at public universities, which have been rising in recent years but are generally lower than at top private institutions. Last year, just one public university president, Ohio State’s Gordon Gee, earned more than $1 million.

Nine private college presidents exceeded the $1 million mark in last year’s survey of the 2006-2007 data.

Jackson, a physicist and former Clinton administration official, has clashed with Rensselaer faculty and been criticized for spending time away from campus to serve on six corporate boards. But she volunteered this year to return 5 percent of her base salary – which the Chronicle reported at just more than $1 million in fiscal 2008 – to be used for student scholarships. All salaries for senior administrators are frozen this year, RPI said.

Jackson received a strong statement of support from the university.

Applications to the school have doubled, research volume has tripled, and $690 million has in new construction and renovations have taken place in Jackson’s decade as president, said William N. Walker, Vice President, strategic communications and external relations, in a statement issued by the school. A request to interview Jackson was denied.

“The value she contributes to the Institute far exceeds the amount she is paid,” Walker said.

Source: HuffingtonPost

Tags: Chronicle Of Higher Education, college, College President, Costs, David J. Sargent, David Sargent, Executive Pay, Higher Education, Pay, President, Presidents, Private Colleges, Private Universities, Renssealear Polytechnic Institute, Salaries, Salary, Shirley Ann Jackson, Shirley Jackson, Steadman Upham, Student Loans, Students, Suffolk University, Tuition, Tuition Increases, university, University Of Tulsa, University President

by whoisray on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 | Knowledge, Life | No Comments

Be fun, be cool - Ray Sweat style

When it comes to partying there are really only a few characters you can come across; weird music guy, wallflower, always drunk person, early leaver, drinking game know-it-all, and the fun guy/gal. Ray shows you how to party like a rock star, become the fun guy/gal character that everyone notices, and get the most out of your time and energy.

Things You’ll Need:

• Cologne (not a must, but everyone likes someone who smells good right?)
• A way home (you know, in case you get drunk)
• A personality (just be sure to be yourself and not impersonate someone else. i met a guy one time who did a Dr. Cox, from Scrubs, impersonation pretty much the entire night)
• Your best smile (be sure to brush your teeth, cuz that’d be gross)

- Be Charismatic and Charming -

Certain people can walk into a room and immediately be the center of attention and captivate everyone they talk to. Why can’t that be you? You don’t have to be rich, famous, or have the looks of, say… George Clooney or Jessica Biel to pull this off. If you don’t believe it then think about this: Mystery (this bloke), a guy who wears goggles on his head for no reason and is almost always seen wearing a large fur top hat, can walk into a room and suck up almost all of the attention.

It’s not that hard, and when you doubt yourself just think to yourself, “If Mystery, the strange man wearing goggles, can do it, so can I.”

1. Stand straight & relax. If you’re hunched over you will not only look weird, but you look like you are having a miserable time and people can pick up on that. It’s not good. Also, relax. You’re going to a party, not jail. You break this rule then you are on your way to becoming the wallflower character who sits on the couch the whole time hoping someone talks to them.
2. Be outgoing. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to people, you never know who you’re going to meet. The last time I introduced myself, I found out this person was working at Disney World as a chipmunk at the same time I was there for Thanksgiving. This means I saw her on stage shakin’ her tail in late November and a few months later I was having a conversation with her, having no clue she was the dancing chipmunk. Needless to say, it was awesome.
3. Laugh & Smile. I like when people laugh at my jokes, I’m sure everyone else does too.
4. Be interested & keep eye contact. Talking to people and hearing what they have to say is the way to go, and you’ll almost always have something absurd in common. Try it. Remember, eye contact is good, unless she’s blind, then it’s pointless. The more you know…
5. Compliment them. If you like something they’re wearing, tell them. Especially if it’s a nautical themed pashima afghan.
6. Dress for the occasion. Look good, but not like you’re going to the prom - you don’t want to be that guy. If you take the time to get ready then you will feel a lot more confident about the night.

Who is Ray?
http://whoisray.blogspot.com
Claim to fame: “I shook Charles Barkley’s hand one time and he called me a cool guy. Can’t top that.”

Tags: college, Entertainment, is, Life, party, ray, sweat, who