Marketing, Reputation, and Image Update

To blog or not? We can't seem to hear enough about the value -- or lack thereof -- of blogs, which are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. Major universities have adopted blogs as a vital form of communication, but their misuse continues to get the majority of attention. Note how this new form can be an asset or a deficit, and ignore them at your peril.

• New York Times

Scientists cheat? A new survey from the University of Minnesota raises vexing questions about the truthfulness of scientists, with a surprising number saying they have tossed out data that contradicted previous findings, or plagiarized and/or ignored other findings due to a sponsor. Perhaps we hold the scientific community to a different standard, but how will the general public respond to the science community when they realize there is more than meets the eye in research findings?

• Washington Post

Hispanics surging in US population: With the dramatic uptick in the number of Hispanics entering the states, are colleges and universities keeping pace in meeting their educational needs? From English as a Second Language to technical ed skills and four-year degrees and beyond, Hispanics represent a burgeoning new market for colleges and universities.

• Yahoo! News

Campus Crises in the News

Hot seat for SUNY research foundation: A state audit shows bids awarded without competitive bidding, a million-dollar lobbying tab with questionable results, and sundry sordid spending.

• Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

New Jersey financial fallout grows: The state is hit with unprecedented budget problems as much of the northeast digs out from tough times.

• APP.com

Nepotism reigns: The president of Quincy College sued his governing board after being placed on leave, contending the move was payback for not promoting the chairwoman's brother.

• The Patriot Ledger

George Mason University administrator convicted of child porn: An administrator was convicted of extortion and of producing child porn after police found videotapes of the man having sex with underage men at home and in his university office.

• Virginian-Pilot

Iowa University's recommend midyear tuition hike: Average tuition and fees for in-state students have risen 58 percent in four years, but the hike is necessary to make ends meet, say select schools.

• DesMoinesRegister.com

Indiana college president resigns under fire: The president of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology abruptly resigned after a wave of no-confidence votes.

• MSNBC.com

Florida A&M law school dean in hot water: At a critical time for the law school, the founding dean has been tabbed for having ghost employees on a payroll that was recently audited.

• Tallahassee Democrat