Chapman University (CA) opened Marion Knott Studios, a $41 million film and broadcast studio housing stages for cinematography, broadcast journalism, television, Dolby surround sound mixing, and a green screen. The heart of the building is a 500-seat cinema, which includes both digital cinema and 35-mm projection.

Environmental Leadership

Nearly 300 college and university presidents, including many from CIC institutions, have signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, a nationwide commitment by college and university leaders to reach climate neutrality in their institutions’ curricula and operations. The Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility of higher education institutions in climate change. Presidents who sign the Commitment have agreed to bold action steps that their institutions will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also acknowledge a need to reduce the global emission of greenhouse gases by 80 percent by mid-century at the latest in order to avert the worst effects of global warming. CIC institutions involved in the Commitment’s “leadership circle” (those signatories most active in the Commitment, who have agreed to lead the initiative, promote it, and recruit colleagues) include: Pacific Lutheran University (WA), College of Saint Benedict (MN), Chatham College (PA), Green Mountain College (VT), Allegheny College (PA), Oberlin College (OH), Park University (MO), Lynchburg College (VA), Northland College (WI), Washington & Jefferson College (PA), Prescott College (AZ), Rosemont College (PA), Juniata College (PA), Antioch College (OH), Sweet Briar College (VA), Mount St. Mary’s University (MD), Alaska Pacific University, Warren Wilson College (NC), Birmingham-Southern College (AL), Centre College (KY), Washington and Lee University (VA), Drury University (MO), Furman University (SC), St. Lawrence University (NY), University of Puget Sound (WA), Berea College (KY), and Unity College (ME). Those leading the Commitment hope to have at least 1,000 participating institutions by December 2009.

Monmouth University (NJ) and Oberlin College (OH) were among eight winners in “Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming,” an environmental contest sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Both institutions won for implementing practical measures to counter global warming. Monmouth’s accomplishments included completing the largest solar panel installation east of the Mississippi, then offering a computer station that shows energy conservation data in “real time” from the panels. Oberlin developed an automated monitoring system and website that gathers, processes, and displays data on energy and water use in dormitories. The goal is to use real-time data to motivate and empower students to conserve resources. Initial estimates show Oberlin will save $66,000 per year in electricity costs. A multimedia broadcast promoting the winners—which included a message from Al Gore as well as a global warming panel discussion—was hosted by more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide. The broadcast is available online at www.fc-tv.com/clients/nwf/portal.asp.

Several other CIC institutions continue to enact energy saving measures on their campuses. LaGrange College (GA) is installing new lighting, air conditioning, and energy management controls on campus that will result in significant energy conservation (the annual equivalent of 178 acres of trees planted and 55,973 gallons of gasoline saved) and $4 million in cost savings. Green Mountain College (VT) will purchase more than half its electricity from a local “green” power source (the equivalent of removing 758 cars from use per year). Central College (IA) is converting entirely to electric/hybrid campus cars to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. And Mercyhurst College (PA) will implement an annual $15-per-student Green Energy Fee (initiated at the request of the students) to support sustainable initiatives on campus.

Furman University (SC) will serve as the location for a 2008 Southern Living Showcase Home that will model “green” design, renewable energy, and operating efficiency. The showcase home will be open for public tours for one year and is expected to draw as many as 30,000 visitors from around the nation. Afterwards, the home will be used for the university’s Center for Sustainability, which will provide office and meeting space for a growing array of sustainability initiatives.

First Tee Scholars Program

Georgetown College (KY) graduates its inaugural class from the First Tee Scholars Program. The Scholars Program—begun by Georgetown in 2001 and now adopted by 28 colleges around the country—provides full college scholarships to high school seniors in a program that involves young children (especially those from economically disadvantaged areas) in golf in order to build character and life values. Georgetown and the inaugural graduates have recently received significant media coverage, including articles in both the Louisville Courier-Journal and Golfweek magazine.

Anti-Gerrymandering Software

University of Puget Sound (WA) is developing a way to end gerrymandering—the practice of unfairly manipulating voting district boundaries to serve political interests. Computer science professor Randy Bentson and student Walker Lindley have created algorithmic computer software that analyzes state voting districts by measuring the Gerrymander Factor (GF). Through calculating and ranking the GFs of individual districts, voting precinct boundaries can be digitally drawn based on scores favoring fair voting standards, yielding a democratic blueprint for an entire state’s voting map. Final refinement of the software is still underway with hopes to debut it to voting officials in the near future.

Augsburg College (MN) computer science students test their programming skills with Artificial Intelligence Robot (AIBO) dogs. The sophisticated pet robots—priced at $1,500-$2,000 each—can be programmed with customized software built by the students, then tested (by having the dogs perform “tricks”) to measure the effectiveness of the programming. The AIBO dogs are funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

International Activities

Westminster College (MO) held its first Symposium on Democracy, which focused on the Middle East and prospects for democracy in the region. The symposium featured a panel of Westminster students from Middle Eastern countries and panels of Middle East authorities and faculty. The keynote speakers were U.S. Army Lieutenant General David Petraeus—previously responsible for training Iraqi security forces in Iraq—and documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim—who directed the controversial documentary “Control Room,” about the Arabic news station Al Jazeera. The panel of Westminster students from the Middle East drew standing room-only crowds. Based on the event’s success, the university already has plans for a second symposium in fall 2007.

Loras College (IA) has initiated the International Voyage Program, a teaching program about the international community that educates local middle and elementary school students. More than 20 Loras students, including students from Nepal, Columbia, Russia, Botswana, Peru, and Hong Kong, are involved in the program. The Loras students visit the middle and elementary schools, teaching the younger students about their home countries’ geography, traditions, music, clothing, foods, and language; and they present the younger students with flags and educational materials.

Shenandoah University (VA) sent approximately 70 students and employees to six countries during spring break as part of a special study abroad scholarship program, known as the Global Citizenship Project (GCP). Participants apply to GCP by submitting essays explaining their personal and professional interests for travel and how they plan to share their GCP experiences on campus when they return. All expenses are paid by the university. This semester’s participants traveled to Thailand, Panama, Germany, Tanzania, Lithuania, and Singapore. Since its inception in 2005, the GCP has sponsored trips for 132 students and employees to ten countries.

Creating Partnerships

Park University (MO) has partnered with Rave Wireless—the leading provider of college and university mobile phone programs—and Sprint—the nationwide cellular phone company—to provide mobile phones for the entire campus community. The new phones will include several cutting-edge features: academic interaction (faculty members can use the phones for “mobile learning applications” in their curricula, providing students with real-time in-class assessments); academic information (students receive 24/7 up-to-the-minute information about assignments, exams, and class schedules, as well as access to email and the school directory); and enhanced safety (the mobile phones can be used as personal safety devices monitored by the campus police through global positioning system technology). Additionally, thanks to the new partnership, Park University international students can now almost instantly obtain a cell phone, whereas historically they have waited long periods to obtain their own cell phones.

Wilkes University (PA) and King’s College (PA) have partnered with Barnes & Noble to open a joint bookstore in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The Wilkes-King’s Barnes & Noble is a 20,000-square-foot store with two levels—a lower level with the textbook and supply store for both Wilkes and King’s, and a ground level with the traditional Barnes & Noble offerings (including a Starbucks café) plus a “Spirit Shop” that sells Wilkes and King’s apparel and other university items. This is the first Barnes & Noble store that is a joint venture of two colleges.

Announcing New Programs

College of Notre Dame of Maryland plans to launch a school of pharmacy in fall 2008. Barry University’s (FL) Andreas School of Business will become the first assessment center in the U.S. for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the accounting rules standard used in most of the world and increasingly in the U.S.

Numerous CIC institutions have expanded their academic offerings with new degree programs. Missouri Baptist University will offer a bachelor of music in music business; Rockhurst University (MO) will launch a new major in sports science; Benedictine University (IL) has announced a new master’s of science in accounting; The Sage Colleges (NY) has announced doctor of nursing science and doctor of education in educational leadership degree programs; Albertson College of Idaho will offer a criminal studies minor; Manchester College (IN) has begun a new major in biotechnology; Eastern University (PA) has announced a Ph.D. in organizational leadership; Goshen College (IN) will offer a master’s in nursing; and Walsh University (OH) has announced a Ph.D. in physical therapy.

Concordia College (MN) donated 240 computers to high school students
in Ghana. The effort was led by alumnus Arday Ardayfio (right), a former resident of Ghana. Ardayfio and Concordia hope to donate additional computers as well as help establish regional education centers as computer training facilities.

Campaign Success

The College of St. Catherine (MN) has completed Leadership in Mind, the largest fundraising campaign ever undertaken by any U.S. Catholic women’s college. The $86.4 million campaign raised funds for major academic initiatives, scholarships, and campus buildings; and earned the college an Excellence in Fundraising Award at the Association of Fundraising Professionals annual conference.

Mount Aloysius College (PA) announced the kick-off for the public phase of The Campaign for Mount Aloysius College, the first comprehensive fundraising campaign in the college’s history. The campaign has already had great success. Prior to the public phase, the campaign raised over $6.5 million towards its $7.5 million goal. Funds will be used for scholarship endowments, campus improvements, and academic and student programming.

Announcing Gifts and Grants

Washington and Lee University (VA) received $100 million from an anonymous alumnus to be used for financial aid and professorships. The gift is the largest in the university’s history and one of the largest ever given to any liberal arts college.

University of Dubuque (IA) received a $22 million gift from alumnus Joseph Chlapaty and wife Linda for the construction of the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as well as for renovations to the Stoltz Sports Center. California Lutheran University received $5 million from Jim and Sue Swenson to enhance the university’s science facilities and assist research in molecular biology, neuroscience, and bioengineering. Rollins College’s (FL) Hamilton Holt School received $5 million to fund student scholarships, curriculum and faculty development, and an endowed faculty chair. Union College (TN) received $4.5 million to establish a preaching program. Xavier University (OH) received $3 million to benefit the Williams College of Business’ Center for Entrepreneurship. University of the Ozarks (AR) received $3 million from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to endow the university’s state-of-the-art Teacher Education and Communications Center.

Four Catholic CIC institutions in Pennsylvania—Rosemont College, Marywood University, Chestnut Hill College, and Neumann College—in partnership with the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC), received a $2 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to manage a three-year pilot project to train and educate African nuns in leadership, management, and technology, enabling them to serve their underprivileged African communities. Mount Holyoke College (MA) and Trinity College (CT) received Centers of Excellence grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Mount Holyoke received $2.5 million to create a program encouraging the combination of learning with engagement, and Trinity received $3 million to improve linkages between its urban and global programs.

New and Expanded Facilities

Two CIC institutions are making progress on fine arts facilities. North Central College (IL) is constructing the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, a $26.5 million, 57,000-square-foot facility meant to become the college’s (and the city of Naperville’s) premier fine arts complex. The facility will open in 2008 and include a 605-seat concert hall and choir loft, an art gallery, and black box theatre as well as classrooms, faculty offices, and a piano lab (construction progress may be viewed at northcentralcollege.edu/watchusgrow). College of Saint Benedict (MN) completed an $8.9 million expansion and renovation to the Benedicta Arts Center, which includes a black box theater, amphitheater, dance studio, rehearsal hall, and chamber ensemble room. The Benedicta Arts Center annually hosts 200 public events including the college-sponsored Fine Arts Series, the Minnesota Orchestra, plays, concerts, speakers’ series, and other college-produced offerings.

University of Dubuque (IA) has completed renovation and expansion of its University Science Center. The improved facility features a multi-level atrium for student gathering and studying and 21st-century laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment, ergonomic furnishings, and safety measures. The labs will be used for geology, zoology, general biology, cell/microbiology, chemistry, and nursing. The building improvements were partially funded through a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Doane College (NE) has built a new student commons area—a campus coffeehouse called the Common Grounds. Driven by student demand and led by the student congress president, the coffeehouse was created to provide a social space for faculty, staff, students, and the community.

Virginia Tech Tragedy

Numerous CIC institutions held candlelight ceremonies, prayer services, memorials, and fundraisers to remember and honor the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings in April. Additionally, to help ensure safety measures on their own campuses, many CIC institutions evaluated and strengthened their campus crises plans. Bridgewater College (VA) publicized its crisis plan summary to the college community. Centenary College (NJ) met with community members to discuss emergency practices and plans to adopt a new technology allowing for “blast” communication to all cell phones when an emergency occurs. And Chowan University (NC) issued a press release to the community outlining their continually proactive security measures, which include safety officers, escort services, a security department website, student key chains with emergency numbers, and resident assistants with safety gear for protecting students.

Changing Status

Whitworth University (WA), Franklin Pierce University (NH), and Chatham University (PA) recently changed their status from college to university.