Latest news with #NewCollege
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Don't let politics rule UF president decision. Just look at New College.
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System under a constitutional amendment passed in 2002, faces an unprecedented situation as it makes a decision on whether to ratify the University of Florida's choice of Santa Ono as the school's new president. While the UF board was unanimous in supporting Ono, vocal opposition to his candidacy has come from a trustee of another institution overseen by the State University System – New College of Florida. And that New College trustee is Christopher Rufo, the provocative commentator best known for his social media and blog posts. The Board of Governors should take this opportunity to look past the headlines and benchmark how New College has actually fared under the watch of leaders like Rufo. It should do so by using standard state metrics over the past two-plus years – because these metrics show New College has been a debacle under Richard Corcoran, the president Rufo helped to install at the school's leader. It's a warning for the Board of Governors as it decides the fate of UF. Every June, all Florida state universities send their annual statistics – known as "the metrics" – to the Board of Governors in a standardized format as part of their annual planning. The latest annual release of metrics for New College is grim, and particularly so when it comes to incoming first-year students who enter the college directly from high school. For example, from fall 2022 to fall 2024, there has been: A decrease in the percentage of incoming students with a 4.0 grade point average (from 55% to 42%). A decrease in the percentage of incoming students who finished in the top 10% of their high school graduating classes (from 29% to 14%). A decrease in the average SAT score of incoming first-year New College students (from 1233 to 1153). And while New College continues to tout increased total enrollment, from fall 2022 to fall 2024 the number of freshmen – those going directly from high school to New College – only increased by 28. The other 150 new students were transfer students Indeed, the number of "first time in college" students at New College actually declined from fall 2023 to 2024. Many of these transfer students aren't from Florida, and many aren't even coming to New College from the United States. Just look at the lengthy roster of New College's 2024-25 men's soccer team: Based on their "home country" listings, the overwhelming majority of team members are from countries outside the United States – and some have come from distant nations like France, Ghana, Brazil and Australia. All of this is taking place at an incredible cost – literally. According to annual Florida CFO Reports on Component Units, expenses at New College have exploded. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, New College's expenses were $60 million; they were $94 million during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. But after spending all of these additional millions, New College has only added around 180 students. The New College debacle isn't a result of a change in policy. For example. the school's elimination of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office was largely a non-issue: In February 2023 I personally spoke in favor of eliminating the DEI office at New College, both because of my own negative experiences with it and to make the point that it wasn't actually important to the school. More: New College of Florida 2025 graduation marks achievement and endurance However, the New College debacle is a result of a change in management: Corcoran had no background as a higher education leader when he was hired by Rufo and other trustees, and his lack of experience continues to negatively impact the school. For example, the New College board didn't tell Corcoran to boost enrollment through a shambolic athletics program. Corcoran did that on his own initiative, and even recruiting large numbers of student-athletes hasn't worked out the way he'd hoped. That's because student-athletes don't simply want spots on team rosters; they want actual playing time, and that's much more difficult to attain when so many other athletes have been recruited to those teams. It's the kind of thing someone with higher educational experience might have known. Mistakes like these could be seen as growing pains for the "new" New College; indeed, during a 2023 interview, Rufo compared the approach at New College to remodeling a kitchen. 'You do the demo," Rufo said, "then you do the build." More: New College picked wrong guy for commencement speaker. Here are 5 better options. | Opinion But it was an astonishing analogy, and it displayed Rufo's lack of understanding that for generations New College students – most of them from Florida – had been attracted to the school precisely because of the unique academic system that previously existed. And in terms of course offerings, very little has truly changed at New College. The horrible statistics, embarrassments and anecdotes coming from New College should serve as blinking red warning lights for the Board of Governors as it weighs the fate of UF. The first warning: A university needs a university administrator, or it will fall apart. The second warning: It is Florida's families who lose when Florida's public universities are mismanaged because out-of-state trustees are prioritizing scoring points on social media over examining data – and over doing the hard work of accountability and governing. It's not too late to put New College under real leadership or even to fold its unique academic program into another institution. And this is certainly no time to replicate Rufo's destructive failure of oversight at New College at the University of Florida. Mike Sanderson is a New College of Florida alum. He is the former editor of The Catalyst, New College of Florida's student newspaper. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Don't let UF repeat New College of Florida's bad lessons | Opinion
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Looking back in history with the Old Edinburgh Club this month
Each month the Old Edinburgh Club look back in their records at some of the notable events that have taken place in history. 2nd In 1581, James Douglas, Earl of Morton, was executed on the Maiden, a form of guillotine which he himself had imported from France; In 1580, Morton was accused of being complicit in the murder of Mary's estranged husband, Lord Darnley, and was sentenced to death; his head, however, remained on 'the prick on the highest stone' (a spike) on the north gable of the ancient Tolbooth of Edinburgh (outside St Giles Cathedral), for eighteen months. 3rd In 1597, William Stewart killed Robert Cathcart, who was relieving himself on the wall at the head of Peebles Wynd, in revenge for his being present at the murder of Stewart's father. And in 1726, James Hutton, founder of modern geology, was born in Edinburgh. Also in 1846, Dr Thomas Chalmers laid the foundation stone of New College on the Mound, the home of the School of Divinity. 4th In 1694, the Merchant Maiden Hospital, later known as The Mary Erskine School, was founded by Mary Erskine in the Cowgate. And in 1792, the most serious outbreak of the King's Birthday riots began, lasting three days and nights which coincided with the birthday of King George III; during the riots at least one person was killed, and an effigy of the King hung; these were a response to the Corn Laws which had led to a rise in food prices. Also in 1818, gun maker Alexander Henry was born in Leith & on the same day the first recorded inter-club golf match between Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society and Bruntsfield Links Golf Club took place. 5th In 1560, the Treaty of Edinburgh (also known as the Treaty of Leith) was a treaty drawn up between the Commissioners of Queen Elizabeth I of England with the assent of the Scottish Lords of the Congregation, and the French representatives of King Francis II of France (husband of Mary Queen of Scots) to formally conclude the siege of Leith and replace the Auld Alliance with France with a new Anglo-Scottish accord, while maintaining the peace between England and France agreed by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis. And in 1592, an Act of the Scottish Parliament came into force 'concerning the Office of Lyoun King of Armes and his brether Heraldis' creating the best regulated system of armorial bearings in Europe. Also in 1868, James Connolly, an Irish republican and socialist leader, was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh to Irish-born parents; he left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day; he also took a role in Scottish and American politics and was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916. 6th In 1733, the Edinburgh Company of Players began a series of performances at the Tailors' Hall in the Cowgate, the first public theatre in Edinburgh. 8th In 1783, volcanic eruptions that started at the Laki fissure in Iceland killed tens of thousands in Europe as a choking sulphurous haze spread across the continent, causing respiratory failure from the poisonous gases; dark and gloomy weather hit Scotland before a sulphurous haze turned crops black; cold winters followed for the next four years. 9th In 1573, Sir William Maitland, the man Mary Queen of Scots named 'Secretary Maitland', died at Leith Prison. And in 1648, Alexander Denholm, a baker, was imprisoned in the Tolbooth for a second time for his reckless behaviour and actions in making some rash comments to the Duke of Hamilton in the High Street; he was armed with a sword and a pair of pistols without permission of the magistrates. Also in 1991, the Palace Hotel on the corner of Princes Street and Castle Street was accidentally set on fire. 10th In 1903, the floral clock in Princes Street Gardens began operation – driven by clockwork and with only an hour hand, it was the first of its kind in the world. 11th In 1560, Mary of Guise died of dropsy in Edinburgh Castle 12th In 1754, the contract for the construction of the Royal Exchange (today's City Chambers) was settled, work commencing the following day. 13th In 1831, scientist James Clerk Maxwell was born at number 14 India Street, Edinburgh; on his arrival at the Edinburgh Academy in 1841, he was nicknamed 'daftie' by his classmates, due to his home-made clothing and rustic accent; despite the teasing, he excelled at the school, producing a paper on mathematical curves at the age of fourteen – this impressed scientists of the day so much that it was presented to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 15th In 1567, the Queen (Mary of Scots) handed herself over to the Lords of the Congregation who took her to the house of the Lord Provost, Sir Simon Preston, in Edinburgh; his house was known as the Black Turnpike which stood at the head of Peebles Wynd; it was demolished in the 1780s to make way for the South Bridge and Hunter Square. And in 1689, the siege of Edinburgh Castle ended when the Governor of the Castle, George Gordon, first Duke of Gordon, and his men agreed to the articles of surrender and the Jacobite garrison marched out to Castle Hill. Also in 1698, the council authorised the Town Treasurer, Samuel McClellan, to arrange stonemasons and carpenters for the construction of a Bedlam house; this was constructed in the New or South Greyfriars yard. 16th In 1890, the Caledonian Rail Station, built of timber with a pitched, slated roof and which had been called the 'wooden shanty', was destroyed by fire. 17th In 1605, a battle was fought in the High Street at the Salt Tron between the Laird of Ogle of Perthshire, the younger & his associates and Wishart, the young Laird of Pitarrow in the Mearns; the fight lasted 2 hours and a number were hurt on both sides; the following day they were imprisoned; also William Thomson was killed by John Waterstoone who was beheaded the next day on Castlehill. 18th In 1633, the coronation of King Charles I took place at Holyrood. And in 1815, Ensign Ewart captured the French Ensign at the Battle of Waterloo as commemorated in the pub in the Lawnmarket. 19th In 1566, James VI was born in Edinburgh Castle. 20th In 1941, one of Edinburgh's most serious and tragic public transport accidents happened at Inchview Terrace when a bus swerved and collided violently with a tramcar, which was travelling in the opposite direction; the side of the bus was ripped off and those on the affected side were either killed or injured; a kitten escaped from a basket and jumped on the face of the bus driver causing him to lose control. 22nd image courtesy of Hetty Lancaster 22nd In 1861, Edinburgh-born James Braidwood died in the Tooley Street fire at Cotton's Wharf near London Bridge station; Braidwood established the world's first municipal fire service, the Edinburgh Fire Establishment. 23rd In 1829, the new Royal High School was formally opened with a procession from the old High School when Deacon Lorimor, the contactor, handed the keys over to the Lord Provost. And in 1954, George Robertson, convicted of murder, became the last person hanged in Edinburgh. 24th In 1562, the provost, bailies, and council ordered that the idol, St Giles, was to be cut out of the town's flag and a thistle put in its place. 25th In 1992, a major fire broke out at the former Ritchie's building, rendering it to little more than pile of rubble and ash; the authorities were left with little choice but to demolish the blackened structure. 26th Darien House 26th In 1695, the Company of Scotland, which was behind the ill-fated Darien Scheme (an attempt to establish a colony in the New World), was founded; the Company had its headquarters at Darien House in Edinburgh; the company was ruined within five years after the failure of the scheme within which up to a third of the country's wealth became entangled; attempts to trade with local tribes proved almost impossible and after a run of disease and the refusal of help from the existing Spanish and English colonies, the settlement was abandoned; the failure of the Company led to the political union of Scotland and England in 1707. 27th In 1774, the foundation stone of General Register House was laid by Lord Frederick Campbell, Lord Register of Scotland. And in 1936, folk singer Robin Hall was born in Edinburgh; he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Drama and recorded more than twenty albums, which included well-loved tunes such as The Mingulay Boat Song and Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny aff a Bus. 28th In 1571, the Earl of Morton conducted a body of Scots, who adhered to the King (James VI), from Leith to Restalrig, where they drew up in order of battle against the Queen's forces who had marched from Edinburgh to confront them; about 50 of Queen Mary's men were slain whilst only 2 of Morton's were killed. 29th In 1610, thirty-six pirates were brought to Edinburgh from Orkney of whom twenty-seven were hanged in Leith within the sea-mark. And in 1871, the tramways bill was passed enabling a horse-drawn system of trams to be established. Also in 1916, the Senate of Edinburgh University recommended to the University Court that the classes in the Faculty of Medicine should be open to women. Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, [email protected] Like this: Like Related
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Oar-kward! Emma Watson swaps Rowling for rowing as she lands role coxing her Oxford college team... but gets trounced
As swotty Hermione Granger, she had a reputation as one of the bossiest pupils at Hogwarts. Now that same forceful spirit is helping actress Emma Watson in her new role – coxing her Oxford college rowing eight. Our exclusive pictures captured her yelling instructions at the New College women's third team yesterday. But unfortunately her efforts were in vain, as her crew lost three of their four races across the week. To add insult to injury, rivals from Jesus College celebrated their victory by playing the Harry Potter theme tune – though the actress took their teasing in good spirits. And when her team lost the last race, she remained sportsmanlike when conceding defeat, giving her Somerville College opponents the thumb-ups. Ms Watson has been at Oxford since 2023, when she decided to take a hiatus from acting to take a master's degree in creative writing at Lady Margaret Hall. She has since reportedly progressed to a DPhil – Oxford's version of a PhD – at New College. As cox, the 35-year-old steered her crew along the Isis – as the Thames is called in Oxford – in the university's annual Summer Eights competition. She wore Ray-Ban sunglasses and a white baseball cap, while her crew had donned purple face paint and tied their hair back with purple ribbons, the boat club's colours. Crews start one-and-a-half boat lengths apart, and the aim is to catch up, or 'bump', the team ahead. The actress's team was bumped three out of four times, meaning they narrowly missed out on the humiliation of 'spoons' – the term when a boat is bumped every day. The performance may not have been helped by Ms Watson failing to attend the compulsory cox briefing before the competition began – as sources allege – because she was at the Cannes Film Festival. It was a rare appearance at the event for Ms Watson, whose last film was Little Women in 2019. While at Oxford, Ms Watson is said to be dating Kieran Brown, who just finished his doctorate at the university. They were spotted kissing at a Gail's Bakery in the city last year. Ms Watson, who is also a Prada ambassador and co-founder of the gin brand Renais, has been at loggerheads with Harry Potter creator JK Rowling over the author's views on trans issues. Last week a new Hermione was announced. Arabella Stanton, 11, will take over the role in the much-anticipated Harry Potter TV series for American broadcaster HBO, which is set to be filmed this summer. She previously took the title role of Matiltda on the West End stage.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM Stalin pays tributes to mortal remains of Chief Kazi to Tamil Nadu government
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid tributes to the mortal remains of the Chief Kazi to the Tamil Nadu government, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub, at his residence in Chennai on Sunday (May 25, 2025). Ayub passed away in the city late on Saturday (May 24) due to age-related illness. He was 84. According to sources, he had a vast knowledge of Islamic teachings. He also holds a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Kazi, he was a professor of Arabic at New College in Chennai. Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, DMK MP T.R. Baalu, Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation Limited chairperson Thuraimugam Khaja, Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission vice-chairperson Iraianban Khuddus were among those who paid tributes. Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam condoled the death of the Government Chief Kazi. In a social media post, Mr. Panneerselvam extended his condolences to Muslims.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TN Chief Qazi Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub passes away, funeral today
Dr. Salahuddin Muhammed Ayub, the Chief Qazi to the Government of Tamil Nadu, passed away in Chennai due to age-related ailments. He was 84. His funeral will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the historic Wallajah Mosque, also known as the Triplicane Big Mosque. A renowned scholar and respected figure in the Islamic community, Dr. Salahuddin held a Doctorate in Arabic Language and Literature. Prior to his appointment as Chief Qazi, he served as a professor of Arabic at New College, Chennai, where he earned admiration for his scholarship and dedication to teaching. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over his passing. In a condolence message, Stalin said: 'Dr. Salahuddin Ayub was a respected scholar whose contributions to the welfare of the community were immense. He always showed personal affection towards me since my tenure as the MLA from Thousand Lights. Even during his illness, he remained committed and made it a point to attend Iftar events in which I participated. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community and to Tamil Nadu as a whole.' Prince of Arcot, Nawab Muhammed Abdul Ali, also expressed condolences, recalling his family's longstanding association with the late Chief Kazi. He described him as 'a great scholar and a humble man.' Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai extended his sympathies to the bereaved family and the Muslim community through a message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). AIADMK general secretary and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami also posted his condolences on X, stating: 'I am deeply saddened by the passing of the Chief Qazi of the Tamil Nadu Government and an esteemed scholar who rendered invaluable service to both the Tamil and Islamic communities. His demise is a significant loss not just to the Islamic community but to all of Tamil Nadu. I pray for his soul to rest under the mercy and shade of the Almighty, and extend heartfelt sympathies to his family and to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.' TVK leader and Tamil superstar Vijay paid tribute on X, writing, 'Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Tamil Nadu Government's Chief Qazi, Allama Mufti Dr. Muhammad Salahuddin Ayyubi Qadiri Azhari. He discharged his duties with integrity and righteousness. Despite being entitled to government privileges such as an official residence, a siren-equipped vehicle, and an office, he chose to decline all benefits and served with humility and sincerity.' In a press release, Nusrat Ali Khan, secretary of the Shia Sunni Unity Movement India, described the late Chief Qazi as 'an epitome of unity and a perfect example for the Muslim community.' Khan added that his services to the nation would be remembered and appreciated forever. Dr. Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub leaves behind a legacy of scholarship, humility, and service that will continue to inspire generations.
