5/18
Penn in the News
A round-up of Penn mentions in local, national, and international media.
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Penn In the News
The Power of Grad Student Teaching
There’s surprisingly little research on the effects of graduate student instruction on undergraduates and of teaching experience on graduate students’ eventual careers. But conventional wisdom suggests that seasoned faculty members make better undergraduate instructors and that graduate students benefit from more time spent on finishing their dissertations than on teaching. For those reasons and others, some institutions -- most recently Purdue University -- have taken steps toward increasing faculty-undergraduate interaction and limiting the use of graduate students as instructors.
Penn In the News
Oberlin’s Board Chair Says It’s Time for Quick Action Against Anti-Semitic Words
After a professor at Oberlin College posted comments on social media and shared posts claiming that Jews and Israelis control much of the world and were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Islamic State, the college’s president defended the principle of academic freedom. But as reaction intensified from alumni, some Jewish groups and others, the chairman of the board of trustees called for quick action at the college in Ohio.
Penn In the News
Oped: College Should Be Debt Free
Here's the estimated collective college debt total for this country: $1.2 trillion. College education should be debt free. Student debt not only burdens young people with financing their college years, but also affects post-graduation economic security. Financial burdens can often force otherwise-fit students to drop out, and the consequences of late payments or defaulting on loans can affect credit scores for decades. We should provide all students with equal opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to pursue the careers of their choice.
Penn In the News
How Higher Education Has Become a Rigged Blame-The-Victim Game
Education is supposed to be a key out of poverty. Work hard, learn more, get a college degree — or two or three — and you can follow the American Dream. And if you don’t get that degree, if you don’t succeed, then it’s all on you. It sounds good on the surface. There is a strong correlation between educational level and earnings and a negative correlation with unemployment level. The higher the degree, the more money one makes and the less likely one is to be unemployed. But there are some caveats hidden behind the averages and encouraging statistics.
Penn In the News
Penn Ethicist Leads Research Study in Mental Health Care in Prisons
Dominic Sisti of the Perelman School of Medicine critiques bioethicists who overlook the area of correctional mental health care.
Penn In the News
Challenge to Global Insurance Rules Could Slow Overhaul
David Zaring of the Wharton School share his opinion about global insurance regulations.
Penn In the News
Having a Little Work Done: Now as Routine as ‘Eating Kale and Going to Spin Class’
Ivona Percec of the Perelman School of Medicine on younger generations’ willingness to try cosmetic surgery.
Penn In the News
The Ongoing Battle Over Ethnic Studies
Camille Charles of the School of Arts & Sciences comments on the benefits of enrolling in ethnic studies.
Penn In the News
Void Left by Peyton Manning May Be Larger for N.F.L. Than for Broncos
Scott Rosner of the Wharton School comments on the future of recently retired professional football player Peyton Manning.
Penn In the News
New SAT Launches
The College Board gave the new SAT for the first time Saturday -- crucial not only for the students taking it but for the College Board. With more colleges than ever before going test optional and the ACT gaining market share, the changes in the test were designed to address longstanding criticisms. The ultimate success of the changes won't be evident for a while, and will depend in part on scores and how different groups of students perform and how colleges view the results.