NEWS | December 2008

Each month NEWS delivers stories about our colleges and higher education research, trends and policies Read full articles on one page or go to the NEWS archive
	Greater access to college discussed at December forum in St. Paul The question of how we continue to expand opportunity in higher education despite the financial problems facing our state was the focus of a Dec. 15 policy discussion hosted by the Minnesota Private College Council. Read full article

	First in graduation rates About two-thirds of full-time, first-time students at Minnesota’s Private Colleges graduate in four years, according to the latest data. Although the University of Minnesota also showed increases, only about half as many students graduated in four years. Read full article

	Faculty and student exchanges foster liberal learning in China A ten-person delegation from the Minnesota Private College Council recently visited its partner institution — United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai, China — to discuss expansion opportunities and continue conversations about liberal arts education. Read full article

	Students bring help in tough economic times Campus efforts to help those in need this year range from food collections to holiday gift programs to food shelves. Read about three examples. Read full article

	Briefs Augsburg College student Brian Krohn and Macalester student Michael Waul have both been named 2009 Rhode Scholars. Approximately 80 scholars from around the world are chosen each year. Krohn was among 32 Americans chosen and Waul was the only person from the Caribbean. Recipients have all expenses paid for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England. More on student excellence The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), released Dec. 9 shows that Minnesota’s fourth and eighth graders performed well in math and science with comparable students in more than 60 other countries. Minnesota fourth graders scored just below the four top achieving countries in math and eighth graders ranked sixth. In science, Minnesota students maintained a high level of performance and eighth graders scored significantly higher than U.S. overall. According to the 2008 Open Doors report from the Institute of International Education, St. Olaf College maintained second place among U.S. baccalaureate institutions in the number of students who studied abroad. Minnesota's private colleges also did well in undergraduate student participation. The University of St. Thomas ranked fifth among doctoral-granting institutions with 61 percent participation and St. Olaf ranked 10th among baccalaureate institutions with 86 percent participation. Organizations eager to meet highly talented young professionals are encouraged to sign up ahead of time to participate in the 32nd Annual Minnesota's Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair, Feb. 17-18, 2009 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.