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Associated Press

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A woman accused of fatally stabbing her daughter’s college roommate in her dorm room was formally charged with murder today.

Tina Loraine Morris, 36, Fort Wayne, was charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and auto theft. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 88 years in prison, said Robyn Niedzwiecki, spokeswoman for the Allen County prosecutor’s office.

Morris is accused of killing Liette “Lola” Martinez, 22, of Las Cruces, N.M., who was found stabbed in her Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne dorm room last Friday. According to court documents, Morris, the mother of one of Martinez’s two roommates, had been staying in the university-owned apartment for about two weeks.

Morris told investigators the stabbing happened after she confronted Martinez about an argument Martinez had with her daughter, according to court documents.

Morris was being held without bond at the Allen County Jail tonight. No court appearance has yet been scheduled, Niedzwiecki said.

College administrators say they have noticed an emerging trend over the past couple years – overly involved parents who remain highly influential in their children’s lives, from class selection, to their social life to their problems at school.

Early reports on the phenomenon, dubbed “helicopter parents,” suggested the behavior had mostly negative consequences, mostly keeping young adults from learning to solve problems on their own and taking responsibility.

For the full article, please go to: http://media.www.ecollegetimes.com/media/storage/paper991/news/2008/04/17/News/Helicopter.Parents.Continue.To.Fly-3329724.shtml

American undergraduate education needs to change if college students are going to learn more than just practical skills for chosen careers, according to a report by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

This article appeared on page B – 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

By Ali Cooper ’09
http://thenews.choate.edu/2008/04/11/News/College_Decisions_Graduati.php

News Reporter

To Choate seniors, April is anything but a picturesque time for blooming flowers or fantasies of a summer of fun. Instead, April 1st represents the tolling bell when college decisions roll in, the final day of college decisions culminating the long “college process” for the class of 2008.

College admittance decisions for Choate seniors this year have been consistent with previous years—some students have done remarkably well while others have not. “It is a hard time of the year because there are some people who have gotten good news, and there are also those who haven’t,” observed Director of College Counseling Dean Jacoby. However, it is also a time of great relief because the end of the college process for the class of 2008 is imminent. Soon nearly every senior will have plans for next year firmly in place.

In the interest of preserving confidentiality, the college office would not provide The News with college entrance statistics for the current seniors.

On a national scale, this past year has been “the most competitive year ever” for college admissions, said Mr. Jacoby. This increased competitiveness comes from a spike in applications to most colleges across the country. For example, Swarthmore, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, has seen a fifty percent increase in applications in the past three years alone.

“Applications for the Ivies exploded—the numbers were up fifteen to twenty percent,” Mr. Jacoby noted. “Other college admissions directors… have noticed this increased competitiveness as well. The process is getting harder.”

The spike in applications can largely be attributed to how easy the Common Application, especially in its online form, makes sending applications out to numerous schools. The Common Application describes itself as a “general application form used by over 150 independent schools.” With a simple click of the mouse, it is now possible to send the same application to ten schools simultaneously, with very little additional work for each school. This enables students who otherwise would not bother trying to garner an acceptance at a school like Amherst to “give it a shot” with a quick movement of a mouse.

The increased competitiveness of most schools nationally meant several things for the seniors, and will mean several things for younger Choate students who will soon be faced with college applications. Rising numbers of applications to schools places more importance on testing as a possible screening mechanism for applicants. SAT scores are likely to play a larger role in decisions, although other aspects of the application such as course rigor and transcript will remain the most important factors in acceptance decisions. “Colleges are interested in students who have pursued rigor and who have an ability to discuss intellectual ideas,” commented Mr. Jacoby.

The new trends in application numbers have led some seniors like Andrew Silberstein to feel that the college process is “a game of luck based on what colleges want and need at the moment, not necessarily how bright you truly are.”

Another change in the college admissions landscape is the fact that both Harvard and Princeton are no longer taking Early Decision applications. This has led many other colleges to increase the sizes of their waiting lists to ensure that they have students to fill their classes, because they don’t know what their yield will be. It is “possible that schools will go to their waitlists to fill their classes,” continued Mr. Jacoby, a fact that has many students who didn’t get into their favorite school optimistic for May.

To meet students’ needs in light of these trends, the college office is working with students to help them put together “the best possible applications and lists,” according to Mr. Jacoby. The college counselors are also visiting colleges, as well as speaking with other college counselors and admissions officers, to stay on top of trends. Next year, Ms. Tina Grant, a current counselor, will replace Mr. Jacoby as head of the college office; Mr. Jacoby observed, “Tina Grant’s work for helping students in the future is exciting.”

Mr. Jacoby encourages students not to worry about recent trends in the college process: “In an enormously competitive environment Choate students have done well. Choate kids will go to colleges that challenge them and make them happy, and they will be successful.”

Senior Anne Kearney agreed: “[The college process] was, in a way, something that taught me about myself. I learned a lot about myself and discovered that there are a lot of schools out there besides the Ivies that provide wonderful college experiences academically and socially.”

Recruiting 101: How to navigate the college process

The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match a student’s desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential.

Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a “special talent” that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.

The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As an Ivy League head coach for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my athletes gained entry to the university because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows is a “snapshot” on how prospects and families can begin developing strong awareness about college recruiting.

Develop Your Plan

A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.

Gathering information is critical in successfully navigating college recruiting and the sooner you begin, the more familiar you will become with the process. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Begin by gathering information on a “wish list” of college teams from all NCAA divisions. Collect information that includes: team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on your favorite college programs and follow their progress diligently.

Build your Team

Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor can all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances in finding the right match. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.

Not only will a team approach assist the prospect from an organizational standpoint, it will help him/her build confidence in an unfamiliar, yet very important life decision area. It can make the difference between finding a college and finding the right college match.

Communication

Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.

If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact rules that prohibit them from making contact with prospective student-athletes. This may be true, but what few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, families may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with few exceptions.

The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparation for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with honesty and sincerity will build mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Colleges restrain spending
Blame rests with state lawmakers who squeeze education funding.

By Daniel J. Hurley

It’s that time of year when newspaper headlines across the USA announce the latest tuition increases at the local public college or university for this coming fall semester — increases that could well be in the high single digits and, in some cases, double digits.

The steady stream of tuition increases raises the question: Can’t colleges rein in their spending?

Rising prices have propelled a myth that public colleges and universities are not demonstrating sufficient fiscal stewardship of student tuition and public tax dollars. In reality, overall institutional spending has increased, but when factoring in enrollment growth, the per-student increase has been negligible.

The primary drivers behind increasing tuition costs are insufficient growth in state operating support for public colleges and, in many cases, decreasing financial support combined with growth in student enrollments. Public higher education has largely served as the go-to line item when state lawmakers have to make up for budget shortfalls, and in the process they have gradually transferred the burden of paying for a college education to students and their families.

A report just released by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and SunGard Higher Education affirms that colleges are capitalizing on cost-saving opportunities campuswide in an effort to contain costs, mitigate tuition increases, and reinvest in learning-related activities.

Millions of dollars are being saved through energy management solutions. Business processes have been re-engineered. Auxiliary services — campus bookstores, dining and residence hall operations — are being streamlined or outsourced. Colleges are harnessing the power of group purchasing to buy insurance, computers and other commodities. Administrative staffing levels are being cut. Academic programs are being merged or, if underenrolled, discontinued.

The quest for colleges and universities to restrain spending is never ending. The track record shows that identifying and implementing cost containment solutions have been, and will continue to be, as inherent to campus life as the fall Saturday tailgater.

Daniel J. Hurley is director of state relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Posted at 12:21 AM/ET, April 07, 2008 in Education – Editorial, USA
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/colleges-restra.html

Make a family field trip out of choosing the right college for your kids
By SHAWN GADBERRY – McClatchy Newspapers
FRESNO, Calif. – This time of year, high school seniors – or at least their parents – are anxiously awaiting acceptance letters. Yale. Harvard. Berkeley. Davis. It doesn’t really matter which one says yes, as long as one of them does.

http://AggieFamilyPack.ucdavis.edu
http://www.fresnobee.com/
When the letters come in, you might just find yourself in unfamiliar territory. You’ve got options. Suzie and Bobbie have worked hard. They’ve earned the grades and it has all paid off. But which one of those accepting schools should you choose?

Now’s the time to plan a family trip. Visiting a possible future campus is a great way to settle nerves for the student – as well as the parents. And turning a school visitation into a vacation is easy. It just takes a Google search and a couple of phone calls. Whether your student’s school is across the state or across the country, most universities are located near cities that have plenty to offer for the traveler. While the schools themselves will be the primary focus of the excursion, it doesn’t hurt to see what else is in the area.

It might just help you and your son or daughter make the decision of a lifetime.

CALIFORNIA

Schools within California offer a sense of nearness and familiarity. It’s not many who haven’t been to San Diego, Los Angeles or the Bay Area, home of several of California’s more prestigious schools. They’re only a few hours drive away. And in April, U.C. Berkeley is one of several schools in California having events to welcome new students.

“Cal Day is April 12,” says Barbara Hillman, president of the Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The university is open to the public. It’s made for families to check out the university. It’s a real fun day.”

Most of the universities have Web sites with links to visitor information pages within the sites. Google can help you turn up visitor bureaus, like Hillman’s in Berkeley, to offer guidance when planning your trip. Visitor bureaus are very familiar with the workings of the colleges near them as well as the cities they are in.

“Our visitor’s bureau is a block from the university’s west side,” Hillman says.

UC Davis has a very family friendly visitor site, http://AggieFamilyPack.ucdavis.edu. It is geared specifically for families and answers questions about the school and helps plan trips to the campus. April 19 is UC Davis’ version of Cal Day, Picnic Day. “We invite parents to come along with students to check out the campus,” says Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service and editor of Aggie Family Pack. “There’s tons of stuff for parents and their students to do. Then, of course, there are our formal tours. Parents are always welcome on those.” A preview day is also held in October for those wishing to apply to the school.

Tours are offered at most of the larger universities. Some schools, such as Berkeley, have regularly scheduled campus tours open to anyone, on a daily basis.

Of course, these California schools all offer experiences for the traveler beyond the campus. UC Davis may be in a small college town, but it’s a short drive from Sacramento, which has plenty to offer.

“Berkeley is a neat walking town,” Hillman says. “It’s made up of all of these little districts.” Berkeley is also in the middle of the East Bay Area, just across the bay from San Francisco and a short drive from the Napa wine country.

OUT OF STATE

Moving beyond California’s border also offers families travel and educational options. Here’s a sampling:

HARVARD

Harvard University is in Cambridge, Mass., right across the Charles River from Boston. “Generally, when families come out here to get a feel of the university, they stay at the university, right in Harvard Square,” says Robin Bell, executive director of the Cambridge Office for Tourism.

Once on the campus, there are two separate tours available each with a different emphasis. “We offer student tours through the admissions office,” says Diana De Los Santos, student worker in the Harvard Events and Information Center. “We also offer historical tours through this office. We have people just visiting from other countries come on the tours. The tours are free.”

Harvard also offers parents, students and alumni a way to keep track of campus happenings with Harvard Magazine. The magazine is published bi-monthly, with updates available online.

Harvard is certainly historic, but so is Boston. From Bunker Hill to the bar that served as the inspiration for television’s “Cheers,” there is something for everyone’s interests just across the river from the school.

“Our subway is called the `T’ for `transit’,” Bell says. “They can hop on the `T’ here and be in Boston in 10 minutes.”

YALE

Yale University is tucked away in New Haven, Conn. While New Haven does not have the population or attractions that Boston has, it still is worthy of a visit. In April, students that have already been admitted are invited for an orientation.

“On that weekend, which is known as Bulldog Days, you’ll be hosted by a current freshman or sophomore, you’ll sleep on the couch in their common room and get a feel of what Yale will be like,” says Neil Chatani, former head tour guide for the Yale University Visitor Center. While non-student visitors are welcome any time and tours run daily, parents are encouraged to come the first week of school. Chatani says there are several activities that include families, including a reception. These activities are an informal way for families to say goodbye to their students and entrust them in the care of the school.

Suzette Benitez is the director of communications for the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau. She says that every year new families come to New Haven to see their son or daughter settled in at school.

“They’ll call in to get our visitors guide or ask for recommendations,” she says. “Visitors also extend their stay and make day trips to New York City or Boston, or take advantage of the summer destinations like Cape Cod or Newport.”

New Haven is a coastal town and offers plenty of activities, such as theater, restaurants and shopping. Chatani says the population of New Haven is about 120,000.

“Yale is about a quarter of that,” he says. “New Haven has a lot to offer us, but it’s not too big to be overwhelming. The city is a great support structure, but it’s not a drain on campus life.”

Having students go away to school can be the beginning of a great adventure-for the whole family.

http://www.centredaily.com/living/v-print/story/508742.html

Ritter signs textbook bill

Measure aims at making book bills more affordable

By Brittany Anas
Originally published 12:23 p.m., April 8, 2008 – Dailycamera.com
Updated 12:23 p.m., April 8, 2008

Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill into law today that requires publishers to be more upfront about the costs of college textbooks — a measure that proponents say will help keep the skyrocketing prices in check.

The measure — which was carried by Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, and Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins — requires publishers to “unbundle” textbooks so students are no longer forced to buy expensive extras, such as CD tutorials, which come packaged with their books.

Both legislators’ districts cover college campuses.

The bill also requires publishers to disclose a textbook’s price to professors and the public, as well as reveal substantial content revisions between editions.

“This is a consumer right-to-know bill for students and educators alike,” Ritter said today. “It represents an important step toward transparency and will help students and their families plan their budgets. Textbooks cost students hundreds of dollars a semester, and with two students in college myself, I know that every dollar counts.”

Ritter’s oldest son, August, is a senior at Colorado State University and was one of several students who advocated in favor of the bill on behalf of the Associated Students of Colorado, a statewide higher-education lobbying group that works closely with the University of Colorado’s student government.

A congressionally mandated report released last year showed that an average student at a public, four-year school pays $900 a year for books. That cost is often the toppling point for low-income students, preventing them from enrolling in college, the report says.

Students have complained that their editions frequently change, and they can’t sell their books back at the end of the semester.

Some CU professors raised concern about the legislation earlier, saying it undercuts their academic freedom and responsibility to choose the best materials for their students. And CU Regent Tom Lucero, R-Johnstown, criticized the measure, saying the government should not interfere with the free market.

http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/08/ritter-signs-textbook-bill-law/?printer=1/

College Towns: Still a Smart Investment

By Prashant Gopal Fri Mar 14, 8:08 AM ET

A year ago, Jeff Shea began buying up rental properties around the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, from which he had only recently graduated with a business major. Shea, 23, who lives in Chicago, owns three rental homes near campus, including a four-bedroom house he bought for $138,000 and rents to four students for $1,800 a month.

“It’s the best time ever to buy houses,” Shea said. “The rent is inflated because so many people go to school here.”

Shea said he’d be happy if Champaign-Urbana prices took a dive so that he could buy even more. But college towns have remained relatively stable in this slumping real estate cycle. Students, university employees, and faculty keep apartments filled and form a steady stream of home buyers. And retirees and professionals flock to college towns because they’re attracted to the lifestyle and cultural activities.

Recession-Resistant Markets

Enrollments — especially at large public universities — are growing as more children of baby boomers (so-called echo boomers) graduate from high school. At cash-strapped public universities, dorm beds are limited and students are often forced to find private housing after freshman year, says Michael Zaransky, author of Profit by Investing in Student Housing (Kaplan Publishing 2006) and co-CEO of Northbrook (Ill.)-based Prime Property Investors, which invests in student housing.

“It’s a resilient market and seems to be fairly recession-proof,” Zaransky says.

BusinessWeek.com worked with OnBoard, a local real estate information specialist, to find out how college towns are doing in this slumping housing market. We selected towns with long-established, first-rate colleges and found that 17 of 25 college towns outperformed their respective states in terms of home price appreciation last year. Four towns performed as well, and only four towns underperformed.

In Palo Alto, Calif., which is home to portions of Stanford University, median home prices increased 15% in 2007 compared with 2006, according to OnBoard. (Overall real estate prices in California dropped 9%.) The area benefits not only from the university but also from its proximity to Silicon Valley. Similarly, Austin, Tex., home of the University of Texas, saw a 6% price increase in 2007, while home prices in the rest of the state remained flat.

But not all college markets have weathered the housing slump as well. Williamsburg, Va., the home of the College of William & Mary, which has restrictions that limit off-campus rentals, saw a 16% annual home price drop in 2007. Virginia’s overall median home prices fell just 3%.

Not Just for Students

Zaransky says the houses located just steps from campus are seeing the most appreciation because that’s where students typically want to live. But other areas of college towns also benefit from local academic institutions.

Sandy Wentworth, a Realtor with Jones Group Realtors in Amherst, Mass., says retirees — especially former academics — like the Amherst area, which is home to four liberal arts colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “They want access to the culture and all the great libraries,” Wentworth says.

Mark Waldhoff, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Champaign, Ill., says the market around campus is stable in part because the university brings buyers and renters to town from more affluent urban communities. “It brings well-paying jobs into the community and brings a lot of diversity,” he says. “Professors are often surprised about what the average sales price is here compared to the community they came from. You can buy a single-family home for $155,000 to $160,000.”

For those parents of college students who can afford it, buying a house close to campus often makes good financial sense because their children need a place to live for four years, after which the property can be sold or turned into a rental home. But Zaransky says parents should try to take their children out of the equation when deciding whether to buy. It’s generally good to buy in college towns with low-cost real estate, rising enrollments, and a shortage of dorm beds, he says. And it’s best to look outside of large, expensive cities where colleges have less influence on the housing market.

Risks for Investors

But like any real estate investment, buying in a college town comes with risks, particularly for investors. Think Animal House. Students are known to drink, punch holes through windows, spill beer on carpets, or just not be very responsible. Of course, it’s possible to protect your investment by requiring tenants to provide security deposits and parental guarantees.

And though the pool of tenants in a university town is large, it’s harder to find renters after the semester begins; the risk is that an apartment could go empty for a few months — though there’s always summer school.

A larger risk is that the subprime mortgage crisis could spread and the economy could fall into a deep recession. In that situation, home prices in college towns might not drop as much as other places, investors say.

In Austin, home prices near campus are already so high that investors can’t necessarily expect to cover a mortgage with rental income unless they come up with a significant down payment, says Jay Carter, a Realtor with Livinginaustin.com. But buying a home can still make a good investment in terms of appreciation.

Carter says enrollment is growing, but there’s a risk that the credit crunch could spread to the student loan market, pushing up interest rates and making college more expensive. “The area around the University of Texas campus is tighter than ever, and demand will always be there no matter what the economy is doing,” he says. “UT students are competing (for apartments) with a large number of non-UT students who just want to live in that area of town. There’s a huge urban boom in Austin.”

A Tight Market

Home prices next to the University of Florida campus in Gainesville have been strong despite Florida’s real estate downturn, says Dave Ferro, a Realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services. Foreclosures are more common farther away from campus, he says, but finding a good investment property close to campus is difficult because sellers are few and prices are relatively high.

“When the market is hot, it’s difficult to buy a property that you can break even on in terms of renting,” Ferro says. “Things have changed a little bit, but properties around campus are like waterfront.”

If you want to invest in college towns but don’t want to get involved with buying real estate, Zaransky suggests buying shares of real estate investment trusts. REITS that invest in student housing include American Campus Communities (NYSE:ACC – News), Education Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR – News), and GMH Communities (NYSE:GCT – News).

Check out the BusinessWeek.com slide show to see how well the housing markets in 25 U.S. college towns have fared.

The pressure on parents and their children alike to choose the right college is as fervent as ever before. The competition has turned global and it’s imperative to make sure you’re ready to make the right decision. Subsequently, the costs of tuition have skyrocketed. In an uncertain economy it’s crucial you are prepared for the impending expenses associated with your child’s higher education in this country. Here a few ways you can be prepared:

1. Start planning now. The earlier you and your child begin the college search, the easier it will be to figure out expenses. Applying by junior year in high school allows families to take advantage of countless financial aid opportunities. If the search isn’t started until the last minute then the chances are that most grants and similar avenues of financial support will be gone. Engaging your child in the effort will make them aware of the huge undertaking that comprises this process.
2. Turn to the Feds. Federal student aid is available only by filling out a FAFSA. This is the only way you can tap in U.S. government loans, grants and scholarship money. The sooner the forms are completed, the better your chances are for receiving the crucial financial aid you need.
3. Check your employer for benefits. Many companies now offer assistance for their employees’ children’s college tuition costs. This is as simple as checking with your Human Resources office. Many corporate companies offer scholarships such as Pepsi and McDonalds. Take advantage of any available dollars out there. These are often ultra-competitive but are definitely worth looking into; you just never know how impressive your child may be.
4. Don’t be afraid to reveal your heritage. There are many financial opportunities around the world for people of distinct religious or ethnic backgrounds. There are many Web sites available that can help you sift through the different scholarships available. Many of these sites will allow you to simply fill out a survey of your child’s background and do the searches for you.
5. Let your community assist in the effort. Your local Rotary Club, American Legion Posts and Boosters foundations have specific funds set aside to help local students make college affordable. The big national scholarship funds are highly competitive, whereas the local opportunities are often disregarded. Your child’s guidance office will be able to work together a list to help find out what your community has available.

Susan Jacobs is a freelance writer as well as a regular contributor for CollegeDegree.com, a site helping students select an online college degree. Susan invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address susan.jacobs45@gmail.com.