Bob CollinsIn a blistering op-ed in the New York Times today, a University of Minnesota bioethics professor says the rot that infected an industry-funded anti-psychotic drug study, leading to the suicide of a research subject, extends beyond the department to the administration. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
Education
University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler today pretty much said tuition at the University of Minnesota will increase because a higher education bill isn’t enough to maintain a tuition freeze at the U. “Minnesota students and their families deserve more consideration at a time of significant state budget surplus,” Kaler said in a statement. “We Read more →
Had Joe Plut, the Crosby-born retired English professor, left Minnesota for good, he wouldn’t have become — from all accounts — one of the most beloved people in the Lakes Region. Read more →
Richard Murphy, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Texas, and Louis-Philippe Beland, assistant professor of economics at Louisiana State University, released research of their study of the impact of a mobile phone ban on student test scores Read more →
Learning gaps widened between male and female students in the latest Nation’s Report Card on history, civics, and geography. Read more →
Irwin Horwitz says he reached “the breaking point” last week after what he calls a semester of disrespect, backstabbing, lying, and cheating, Houston TV station KPRC reported. Read more →
The Washington Post reports today that a recent study from a credit card company revealed that the average prom costs $919 a couple, with $324 going toward the ‘promposal.’ Read more →
Maybe high school is getting to be a less mean place. Read more →
A Star Tribune letter writer today wondered how it is a young man suspected of running off to join the Islamic State was able to withdraw $5,000 on a debit card for financial aid at his college. Read more →
Reports of the demise of college were premature.
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Sun Newspapers reports the district is considering a policy to ban permanent memorials to dead students. Officials are concerned about having too many memorials on school grounds. Read more →
If cats could get the respect they occasionally deserve, a cat — Professor X, to you — would be the newest member of the North Dakota State University Senate. Read more →
The Fargo school administrators Thursday rejected a constitutional challenge to their refusal to allow ‘pro-life clubs’ at two high schools. Read more →
In the aftermath of the great ‘what color is this dress’ debate, the Internet reminded us this week that it is capable of providing viral questions that actually stimulate the brain. Read more →
Perhaps one way to curb xenophobia is to stop giving it a megaphone. Read more →