Not buying it Ed

UPDATE: It was just brought to my attention that this email was not sent out to the student body. Instead it appears to have been sent out to 50 or so select students, many of whom I recognize as student leaders here at Northeastern. I will leave this post up for the remainder of the student body to read.

Northeastern Vice President and Dean of the Office of Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier just sent out a mass e-mail to the Northeastern student body select Northeastern students (full text below) calling for people to relax about the recent four-year program announcement.

"The beauty of this – and what some students seem to be overlooking – is that this is an OPTION, not a requirement, nor a step toward the elimination of the co-op program. This is just something you can choose to do if you want to," writes Ed.

I don't think anyone has missed the point that this is an "OPTION," this is clearly the portrayal Northeastern's PR department has decided will best appeal to angered students, alumni and co-op employers. However, in between the lines is an obvious shift in Northeastern's ideology about co-op. If this announcement wasn't meant to signal a large-scale change well then why would our university president be quoted as saying the four-year option will "spread like wild-fire." Clearly it seems Northeastern wants to make four-years the standard and five-years the option.

It's nice to say that the five-year program is not going to go away, but in reality the negative connotations of spending five years at what may now be considered a "four-year university" will likely dissuade many students from opting for five years. Future students will feel even more pressure to rush and complete their experiential education and their undergraduate requirements with their high school peers at traditional four-year university.

Bottom line is that Northeastern shouldn't even be trying to pander to the traditional four-year model. It has always been an option for interested students to finish their education in four-years, so there was no need to make this announcement if there wasn't a deeper underlying meaning behind it.

And don't even get me started on the idea of online courses while on co-op. Taking advanced-writing (what should be the primary writing and research course that sets up students for their senior thesis projects) while working full-time on co-op is probably the worst educational idea I have heard in my FIVE-years at Northeastern.

Read the full e-mail letter:

Hi friends,

Wanted to reach out because I know there’s been a lot of chatter about Northeastern offering a 4-year option for students that includes 2 co-ops. For some of you, this isn’t news at all – there are plenty of students who are already on this plan – some who are currently here, and some who have already graduated. The beauty of this – and what some students seem to be overlooking – is that this is an OPTION, not a requirement, nor a step toward the elimination of the co-op program. This is just something you can choose to do if you want to. We are and will be a school that prides itself on our signature co-op program. Want to do 2 co-ops? Great. Want to do 3 co-ops? Cool. Not sure if you want to do co-op at all? That’s ok too. In almost every major, it’s not required. But rest assured that we’re not abandoning our roots, or trying to be like any other school.

We’re unique – and we all know that co-op is the number one reason students choose Northeastern. And it will continue to be! The great thing about the co-op program is that it’s FLEXIBLE. It allows those of you who would rather graduate in 4 years to do so. We’re not phasing out the 5 year model – that is still an option that many students will continue to choose. So as students, you are empowered to design a track that best suits you.

I know there’s a lot of misinformation out there in the blogosphere and elsewhere right now. In fact, some media outlets are even reporting this wrong. The fact is. This is really great for all current and future students – you can make your Northeastern experience the best it can be – and you’ll get help along the way, to stay on whichever track you choose.

Got questions or concerns that you need cleared up? Talk to me. Give me a call, shoot me an e*mail or come by my office. I’m happy to talk it over!

That’s it for now,

Ed

E. Edward Klotzbier, J.D.
Vice President and Dean
Office for Student Affairs
104 Ell Hall
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
e.klotzbier@neu.edu
617-373-5434

Well said Huntington News and TGIG!

The news broke yesterday on Northeastern's decision to put more of a focus on a four-year, two co-op program. Wednesday is the publication day for the student-newspaper the Huntington News and I am sure they were sweating to adjust to this last minute news bomb. However, the paper more than rose to the occasion with its coverage.

Here's the front-page news story, NU announces four-year program

But the real gems are found on the editorial page, in the staff editorial and Mary Ann Georgantopoulos column.

"Let’s imagine for a moment that this is an excellent decision. Aoun and Provost Stephen Director have yet to give a good explanation of why. ... No one has said exactly why becoming a four-year institution makes Northeastern more appealing or how it improves students’ education.

... Students already have the option of graduating in four years and that's the way it should stay. Some programs require five or more years, but that should only add to the quality of the degree. Doesn’t it stand to reason that more time studying and working will better serve students after they graduate?

Unless there’s a real reason, Northeastern, let’s not try to fix what isn’t broken."

- Editorial: Four-year plans raises questions, concerns

"Now I know this is not the first time we’ve heard about this plan. President Joseph Aoun and Co. have made it clear to us that they want to move in a four-year school direction. But why, Joe? Why do you want to make Northeastern just another cookie cutter university?

...Why change the one thing that sets us apart? In my eyes, co-op seems to be working just fine. ...

Northeastern seems to be full of changes lately. Restructuring the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Criminal Justice, cutting the football program, and now this. All I can say is, TGIG – Thank God I’m Graduating."

- Column: Four-years should be optional, not standard

Three cheers Huntington News! This is great, well-written representation of the voice of "real" students demands.

I hope the Northeastern Administration is reading this. I too share the TGIG sentiment and is that really the feeling Northeastern wants to foster with its outgoing classes - the future endowment donors.

My only question is, is there anyone besides President Aoun and his administration that agrees with the decision?

Also read,
Letter to the Editor: Move to four years unnecessary, detrimental

NU wants to make co-op four years

I've just completed my last course as a college student at Northeastern University, and while I am finishing final projects I can't help but be nostalgic about my five-years as a husky. This is exemplified by the fact that the Northeastern I am leaving feels so different than the Northeastern I entered in Fall 2005.

I was the last honors class in Kennedy Hall, which at the time seemed like the mecca of Freshman residence halls but now looks like a rundown, evil step-child next to West Village F and International Village.

I'm part of the last class to graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences - as division into three new colleges - College of Science, College of Art, Media and Design and College of Social Sciences and Humanities - is (rumor has it) wrecking havoc in the Lake, Holmes, Meserve corridors. Where's communications belong? Why no more College of Criminal Justice? Are these three new colleges still going to be housed in one of the oldest, most dilapidated, convoluted buildings on campus?

And now comes Northeastern's announcement today to alter the 100-year-old co-op program, to allow students to graduate in four-years instead of five.

Northeastern to offer students in co-op program 4-year degrees - The Boston Globe

This "big announcement" is inept for many reasons, one of which being that doing co-op and graduating in four years has always been a possibility. In fact, most of my journalism major friends have gone for the four-and-a-half year option and graduated in December of their senior year. While others like my economics major roommate have been able to get their undergraduate degree, do three co-ops and a one-year Master's program within the five-year time frame.

The thing about the five-year program is that it is tailored to give students the best opportunity to gain 18-months of real work-experience, while still being able to enjoy the full college experience. Three co-ops wasn't right for every student (me included - I opted for a study abroad experience and change in area of study before going on my second and final co-op), but the flexibility of five-years allowed for more possibilities. This was especially true for students who struggled to find a co-op placement and needed the extra time to either get their grades up or reassess their field of choice.

As Northeastern University marks its 100th year of cooperative education, the University has committed to an expansion of its signature academic program by offering a four-year bachelor’s degree with two full co-op experiences. This approach is driven in part by ongoing efforts to provide students with greater choice and flexibility, while maintaining the benefits of co-op and experiential learning. - Northeastern Press Release

This change doesn't eliminate the option of a five-year program, but it does certainly signal a shift in focus.

The co-op director of the University of Cincinnati says it best in the Globe article:

Studies by the school have shown that students experience the most growth in the final six months of 18 months on the job. That is when students have gained enough skills to run independent projects and can really make a difference, he said.

“So the question becomes: If you were to systematically kill that last year, would the employers be that interested anymore, because now the co-op is completely introductory?’’ asked [Kettil] Cedercreutz.

I appreciate Northeastern's attempt to give the students what they "demand," and have seen some good changes during my time here. International Co-op and Study Abroad being a major point of growth. But who is demanding this? Students who want a traditional four-year college experience? Well then they shouldn't be looking at Northeastern - there are a dozen other schools in the Boston area that can offer them that. Northeastern is the only school that can offer the unique five-year experience. This decision seems to be a ploy to bring in more students who have less of an interest in experiential education. This is not what Northeastern is about. The unique experience of this University is the campus' constant medley of working professionals and undergraduate students. Nine out of 10 current students (completely unfounded statistic) will probably tell you they came to Northeastern because of Co-op and all of them knew it was a five-year program. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the number of applicants only continued to steadily rise in recent years?

This change for the sake of change policy of NU's current administration is not working. It seems to come from a president who hasn't seemed to connect with co-op or what Northeastern is about from the beginning. This announcement really isn't groundbreaking - four-years has always been an option - but if it does indeed signal a shift in the University's ideology than that is something to be concerned about. I worry that in a few years more alumni won't recognize the school they graduated from - and this more than anything else is going to hurt the future of NU's endowment.

Oh and don't forget, Bye Bye Football!


UPDATE: Huntington News has posted a brief article online - Northeastern announces four-year co-op program - Basically just summarizes the Globe article, but the comments are worth a read as always. Looking forward to reading the full story/editorial in tomorrow's edition.

UPDATE TWO: Another thought, I guess BU fans can't chant "Five-year Program" at sporting events anymore. That basically halves their insults. And makes us more like them. Oh no!

Bye-Bye Football

I know I'm late to the game on this post, but giving Hofstra University's announcement today that they are also cutting their CAA football program today, I figured I could weigh in on Northeastern's announcement last week that after 74 seasons there will be no more football at NU.

I am sad to see football go. I was unaware of the team my first year at Northeastern, but in 2006 a friend in Athletics showed me the fun to be had Saturdays at Parsons Field. For the past several seasons, I waited at Chicken Lou's with 20 or so other fans to take the bus over for games. I lamented that more people didn't show up. I usually watched the games alone, because while I had made some friends hockey and basketball fans, I couldn't convince them to make the short-trip to Parsons.

I understand Northeastern's reasoning behind cutting the program. I feel bad for the players who feel they have been slighted, but when looking at how Boston University cut their program in 1997, it seems Northeastern announced it the best way they could. If they had let it slip earlier it would have tainted the season. If they had announced it later it would have given the guys who want to continue playing ball less time to find a new team. I am annoyed that I sat in the press conference over a year ago when Roby said new recruits would finish out their football careers at Northeastern, but really what else was he supposed to say?

My biggest concern is where that reported $3 million spent on the football program each year is going to end up. My hunch is that it is going to disappear into the black hole of Northeastern bureaucracy, and five-ten years from now we won't be able to point to something and say, "Yeah, we lost football, but we got X." BU has Agganis Arena to point to.

Whether it was sitting in the rain or suffering in an October heat wave. Whether the team blew a first half lead or got a great come from behind win. Whether I sat alone on the uncomfortable metal bleachers or cheered with my friends at the more crowded Homecoming games. I will look back fondly on my Saturdays at Parsons. I wish more students could have taken part in the purity and simplicity of Northeastern football. We still have great sports (my personal favorite has been watching Coach Coen's basketball team over the last four years) and I hope cutting football will help further these programs, especially soccer and volleyball, which have already found recent success and could probably do so much more with some added support.

-----------------------------

The announcement of Northeastern cutting football has been covered nationally from the likes of ESPN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and Boston Herald, and The Metro. But the coverage I was most impressed by was Northeastern's student-run media outlets. As the news leaked out Sunday night and text messages started arriving from friends, I was glad to see the quick response of The Huntington News, WRBB and NUTV.

Here's a round-up of the speedy, thorough coverage that continues today as students, alumni and players seek out more transparency from Northeastern Athletics and Administration.

WRBB, the on-campus radio station, had my favorite coverage with an immediate reaction podcast posted on the website, WRBBSports.com. LISTEN HERE. The tone was appropriately shocked and concerned, but the conversation was informative, insightful and poignant. WRBB has continued their coverage posting to links to all the national coverage on their blog.

I was also impressed with the immediate coverage by NUTV, the online television station. Here's Todd Cormier's Sports Update: Special Report, with footage from the season and AD Peter Roby's press conference. NUTV had additional coverage of student reaction here and here.

Because of the Thanksgiving Break, The Huntington News had the misfortune of not going to print for more than a week and a half after the announcement was made. Instead the student newspaper flexed its new media muscles using twitter (@HuntNewsNU) and the Web site to post news and letters to the editor as they got them.

Athletic Department Cuts Football Program

Players Protest Football's Termination (w/ VIDEO)

Article from today's paper, also:

Editorial: Football cut fiscally smart, but poorly handled

Football: Gridiron chapter closed

Online today covered Hofstra's decision to cut program

New to the blogging scene is Life as Husky, which has been providing a fan prospective of NU sports this fall. Here's his take on cutting football: Northeastern cuts football program

Northwestern Student Journalism records subpoenaed

NYTIMES - Prosecutors Turn Tables on Student Journalists

Interesting legal battle brewing in Illinois between the student journalists at Northwestern Univerisity, who have been participating in the Medill Innocence Project investigations, and prosecutors from the Cook County state's attorney office.

According to the New York Times article, the students have been gathering witness accounts and evidence in a three-year investigation of Anthony McKinney, who was convicted of fatally shooting a security guard in 1978. The prosecutors "have subpoenaed the grades, grading criteria, class syllabus, expense reports and e-mail messages of the journalism students themselves."

They say they want to look into the methods of the students and questions have been raised about whether students thought they would receive better grades if they got witnesses to provide evidence proving McKinney's innocence. The prosecutors are also claiming the students should be considered an "investigative agency" instead of journalists (State law can protect such things as unpublished notes for journalists).

The University is fighting the requests. Should be really interesting to see how this all plays out.

Twice-a-week no more, Huntington News promises new media focus

Two years ago, the Northeastern News (now known as the Huntington News) decided to begin publishing twice a week. As an executive board member of the News at the time, this was a decision I did not agree with. I left the News shortly after then and have watched it make the transition as a reader, including the choice to move off-campus and become independent of the University.

While I believe the quality of much of the paper has suffered since the twice-a-week move (The Sports section actually improved given the opportunity for more timely coverage), I am encouraged by the announcement today that the News has decided to go back to publishing once-a-week and put more of a focus on the new media elements of its coverage.

Editor-in-Chief Maggie Cassidy explains the change in an Editor's Note.

"... in an effort to better distribute news to the Northeastern community, The News will print only on Thursdays while placing a renewed focus on online media. We will debut a total redesign of our website, which is currently in the works; develop our Twitter and Facebook pages beyond linking to content published in the print version; and deliver at least one weekly online-only update in which we experiment in video, audio, photo galleries or other new media."

With the added announcement of the start of an investigative team by News Veterans Kate Augusto and Anne Baker, the Huntington News definitely seems to be taking a step in the right direction. I look forward to seeing the new Web site and these new endeavors into online media. This will provide a great space for experimentation and practice to compliment the new Creative Industries minor offered in the NU School of Journalism.

Regulation: Sex-iled

The Tufts Daily comment boards are exploding over this one:

New rules regulate sexual activity in dormitory rooms

You can also read The Daily Free Press'take here: Staff Edit- Let's not talk about sex.

Free Press news story here.

Swine Flu reaches BU

The Daily Free Press reports: BU dental resident diagnosed with 'probable' case of swine flu, Boston Public Health Commission says

One student definitely had mumps

In today's latest update from Northeastern about the Mumps outbreak, it was confirmed that one of the students did definitively have mumps.

Campus Health Alert, updated April 22, 2009 at 9:17 a.m.
University Health and Counseling Services has not reported any additional suspected mumps cases over the past four days. One of the earlier cases has been confirmed by more definitive testing to be mumps. Further test results are still pending on the other cases. Members of the community are reminded to watch for symptoms -- such as swelling of the neck and jaw -- and to check their immunization records.

I guess this sort of justifies the outpouring of alerts last week, at first the tests were negative announcement seemed a bit over the top.

Times a changing for NU J-School

This letter arrived in my inbox this morning from the head of Northeastern's School of Journalism Stephen Burgard. It seems NU's School of Journalism is getting with the times and going to start offering more focus in the classroom on multimedia and online journalism, long heralded as the future of the industry. These changes are in line with what I wrote about last year, College journalism programs, students’ newspapers fall behind advancing industry: Some see need for a drastic change in curriculum, addition of new media elements throughout coursework

A condensed version of Burgard's letter:

Dear Journalism Students:

The semester is winding to a close and, while the Boston springtime has yet to bloom, many of you are or will be scattering soon. Before that happens, I wanted to take a moment to touch base and bring you up to date on some things.

...

You are hearing a lot nowadays about demands in journalism education because of new technologies and economic changes in our field. We have been doing a lot as a faculty in the past year and a half to address how best to serve your needs in preparation for the new world of journalism, public relations, graduate study or other careers..

Currently we are working to incorporate the best of our program's storied tradition - its sound curriculum in good journalism practice and excellent co-ops and internships - with courses that prepare you for the new digital world. We are looking at the core courses, especially Journalism 2 and Journalism 3, to see where they can or should be adapted. We now also have two new elective courses exclusively designed for students who are well along in our program to learn how to do journalism for new media. These are Prof. Dan Kennedy's Journalism of the Web course and Prof. Liz Matson's Online Journalism course. Both are proving very popular.

I should say that Gladys McKie and Susan Conover have been working with the faculty to update our website and make it more informative and useful. If you haven't visited it recently, have a look at northeastern.edu/journalism, and you can see, for example, something on some of what Prof. Matson's students have been doing.

Additionally, we have been at work with the Creative Industries initiative on a brand new minor for journalism students in interactive media. We are waiting only for final approval from the trustees for Creative Industries' overall program to roll out this minor, and hope we will be able to say more about it very soon. The idea will be to combine the good journalism practices work we currently are doing in our program for the major with new interdisciplinary offerings for students who want to do advanced work in the digital world. Please watch the website for details.

...

Cordially,

Steve

Stephen D. Burgard
Director, School of Journalism

More on MUMPS!

Also received this email with voice message:

=======Emergency Communication Message from NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY=======

Dear Member of NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Community,

You have been sent a new message through the Connect-ED system.

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Message sent - 4/16/2009
Public Health Advisory

==============================

=====================
Message
===================================================

To listen to the message click the link below. If the link is not clickable, copy and paste it into a web browser:

https://www.blackboardconnected.com/messageboxes/186119/1847187.wav
Four Northeastern students were recently treated by University Health and Counseling Services after exhibiting symptoms consistent with the mumps. All four students have been vaccinated against mumps and, thus far, all lab tests are negative. In each of the four cases, the symptoms have diminished in two to three days. University health records indicate that the vast majority of the Northeastern community has been vaccinated against mumps. If you have not been vaccinated, or if you begin to notice symptoms such as swelling around the neck and jaw, please contact University Health and Counseling Services at 617-373-2772.

We have created the following web page (www.northeastern.edu/emergency) where we will post updates regarding this situation.

UPDATE: According to BostonChannel.com, the outbreak stems from students returning from study abroad in Ireland, where there has been a recent outbreak of the virus.

Beware of MUMPS!

Just got a text from the NU Alerts system that "4 NU students treated for mumps-like symptoms. Lab tests neg. If you have swelling around neck/jaw, contact UHCS: x2772."

According to Kids Health (Because they explain it in easy to understand terms):

"Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that usually spreads through saliva and can infect many parts of the body, especially the parotid salivary glands. These glands, which produce saliva for the mouth, are found toward the back of each cheek, in the area between the ear and jaw. In cases of mumps, these glands typically swell and become painful.

Because mumps can also involve the brain and its membranes, call the doctor immediately if [you have] any of the following: stiff neck, convulsions (seizures), extreme drowsiness, severe headache, or changes of consciousness. Watch for abdominal pain that can mean involvement of the pancreas in either sex or involvement of the ovaries in girls. In boys, watch for high fever with pain and swelling of the testicles."

Will update if I hear anything further.

BU wins national title, two Huskies join Penguins

So I know I have been a bad blogger and haven't updated since my last euphoric post about Northeastern hockey. Well as I am sure you know NU's post season run pretty much flickered and died as the Huskies lost in the semifinals of the Hockey East Tournament and then lost to Cornell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and I didn't feel much like writing about it.

However, the BU Terriers made good on their year long No. 1 ranking and won both the Hockey East Championship and then tonight came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Miami in the NCAA Title game. So our rivals on Commonwealth Ave. are National Champions and let's just say I'm not looking forward to running into any BU fans anytime soon. Although congratulations are in order as BU was truly a forced to be reckoned with all season and the title is, I admit begrudgingly, much deserved. While I was rooting for the underdogs, I was still in awe of BU's two come from behind goals with less than a minute left.

I am sure the Daily Free Press will have much to report on the subject tomorrow. The Boston Globe reports Uncommon wealth: Terriers head home with 5th title after stunning rally.

There has been some good news for the Huskies despite the disappointing losses. Goalie Brad Thiessen was named a Hobey Hat Trick Finalist. Although BU's Matt Gilroy was awarded the Hobey Baker award, Thiessen was named to the first team All-American. Thiessen also signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has joined fellow Husky Joe Vitale in Wilkes-Barre Scranton for the Penguins American Hockey League team. Vitale even scored his first professional goal this week!

While I am sure they will be missed at NU, hopefully great things are to come from these former Huskies. Read the Huntington News report: Northeastern goalie goes pro. Also check out this short video interview with Thiessen and Vitale from back in December. I group produced this show for an NU production course.




College basketball and hockey seasons are now both officially over and I am looking forward to throwing myself into the much less stressful summer of MLB.

Congrats 'Hobey Blogger'!

I would like to extend some congratulations to Northeastern's star goalie (and fellow blogger) Brad Thiessen on earning Hockey East Player of the Year honors tonight. He is the first Husky to earn the award.

In addition, Thiessen, who is also a journalism major and blogs about college hockey at In the Crease with Thiess, was named a Hobey Baker Finalist today. Fan vote counts toward a percentage of the ballot, so show your support and vote online at hobeybaker.com/voting. (BU's Matt Gilroy and Colin Wilson were also named finalists).

Northeastern's Head Coach Greg Cronin was also named coach of the year, and several other NU players were honored.
• Freshman Steve Quailer- Hockey East All-Rookie team.
• Senior Louis Liotti - Hockey East Old Time Hockey Best Defensive
• Captain Joe Vitale - Hockey East Best Defensive Forward
• Senior Ryan Ginand - Second Team All-Star
• Wade MacLeod - Honorable Mention
• Thiessen - ITECH Goaltending Champion, the Three Stars Award, and unanimous First Team All-Star.
Several other players from Boston area schools were also given awards, but I am going to be bias right now because I am so proud of this Northeastern team! Get full details at HockeyEastOnline.com

While the awards have been announced, NU's season is hopefully far from over. The Huskies play in the semifinals of the Hockey East Tournament Friday against UMass-Lowell. The Championship game will be the following night. Huntington News Sports Editor Nate Owen has been following the action on his blog, Huskies on the Prowl.

The No. 5/6 ranked Northeastern should also be a lock for the NCAA Tournament later this month.

P.S. - The title for this post refers to a sign I saw displayed at the quarterfinals this past weekend. It made me chuckle.

BC Heights cuts back print pages in economic hard times

Although college newspaper's unique niche market have tended to exclude them from the brunt of the downturn in the newspaper trade. These economic hard times are still having an impact.

The BC Heights has decided to reduce its number of pages from 28 to 20 an edition, with two ten-page sections each Monday and Thursday.

Read Editor-In-Chief Alexi Chi's Letter from the Editor - News for further details.

In order to compensate for decreases in ad sales, we have to change the paper in order to ensure that we can continue printing and, above all, maintain the independence that is inseparable from our role as a fair and unbiased campus voice.
...
The Heights editorial board is using these changes as an opportunity to make The Heights a more concise, readable paper, and to expand its online content. Though you may see some changes to our physical product, our editorial and ethical standards, as well as our commitment to the students of Boston College, remain unchanged.

The print world really is suffering (my hometown paper The Seattle Post-Intelligencer printed its last edition today). The future is online and although no one has figured out a way to make a fully profitable, successful Internet version, I hope college papers start focusing more on that front. Being a college paper allows for more room to experiment and go out on a limb to find an online format that works. Hopefully this cutback at The Heights will allow the paper to put more resources into developing the Web site.