State announcement highlights local aerospace, transportation research

By Christopher Magan | Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 11:00 AM

CINCINNATI - The Wright brothers would be proud: Miniature spy vehicles modeled after an insect, computer programs to design aircraft parts and advanced sensing technologies were local fields of research announced Monday, July 6, as the newest “centers of excellence.”

Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, recognized work in two areas each at both Wright State University and the University of Dayton in the latest round of “centers of excellence” in advanced transportation and aerospace technology.

University of Dayton was recognized for high performance materials and optoelectronics and sensors. Wright State was recognized for product reliability and optimization as well as micro air vehicle research. Research at Case Western Reserve, Ohio State University and the universities of Cincinnati and Toledo also were recognized.

The research centers represent strong ties to the expanding Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the designation of Dayton as the state’s aerospace hub.

“Intellectual capital is the currency of the global economy,” said Fingerhut, who called the centers of excellence “about competing on a global level. We need to be the best in the world.”

This was the fifth round of “centers of excellence” announced since the state adopted a 10-year master plan for higher education. Its purpose is to spur innovation by awarding specialized areas of research at specific institutions and doing away with unneeded competition for resources.

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Stimulus money to improve energy efficiency at Glen Helen

By Christopher Magan | Thursday, July 1, 2010, 01:49 PM

YELLOW SPRINGS — A federal stimulus grant will help transform two buildings at Glen Helen Nature Preserve into models of energy efficiency.

The glen, now owned by the re-emerging and independent Antioch College, was awarded $289,000 for a $400,000 project to install a geothermal heating and air conditioning system and make other improvements at the Trailside Museum and administration building.

“We are absolutely excited about it,” said Nick Boutis, executive director of Glen Helen. “It will take two pre-oil crisis buildings and allow them to be models of energy efficiency.”

John Feinberg, the architectural consultant for the project, said it will improve efficiency of heating and cooling by 300 percent and lighting by 1000 percent. “The existing furnace there now runs constantly,” he said.

The work, which is expected to be complete in a year, will directly create or retain six jobs and 15 jobs indirectly, Feinberg said.

When finished, Boutis wants to use the refurbished building to show visitors to the glen how they can improve energy efficiency in their own homes. “We can practice what we preach,” Boutis said. “Glen Helen has been at the forefront of environmental developments for 50 years, but we have always had to say, ‘do as we say not as we do.’”

The improvements are also expected to save the college a lot of money. “Now the heating bills come through and knock you off your feet,” Boutis said.

Feinberg, an alumni, will work to ensure the historical significance of both buildings is maintained. The Trailside Museum was built in 1952 and the administration building in 1972. Antioch College is one of 14 state universities that received $10.7 million in stimulus money to increase energy efficiency.

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Transportation, aerospace ‘centers of excellence’ announcement expected next week

By Christopher Magan | Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 10:01 AM

COLUMBUS - Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut is expected to announce the next round of the state’s higher education centers of excellence next Tuesday, July 6.

Advanced transportation and aerospace centers of excellence will be announced at the University of Cincinnati’s Herman Schneider Quadrangle at 10 a.m. with area business and university representatives.

Miami Valley schools, which are involved in sensor and other types of aerospace research, are expected to be included as centers of excellence in these fields, university officials have said. The state is creating “centers of excellence” at state schools to increase specialization and limit the competition for resources, which allowing schools to shine in specific fields of research.

In April, state officials identified Case Western Reserve, Kent State, Ohio State and the universities of Cincinnati and Akron as “centers of excellence” for the development of new polymers and sensors.

At the time, area school officials said they expected their work to be recognized under aerospace and transportation.

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Kaplan cuts workforce

By Christopher Magan | Friday, June 25, 2010, 04:30 PM

MORAINE - Kaplan College, until recently the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology, confirmed Friday, June 25 the layoff of 14 the school’s roughly 100 employees.

“Yesterday was a tough day on our campus because we made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce in an effort to align our business to the number of students we are serving,” said Tiphany Pugh, director of operations of the Dayton campus on East River Road, in a statement.

Pugh said the layoffs would not impact students or the quality of education they receive. “The campus still has nearly 90 employees,” the statement said. Pugh said the school had no further comment.

The college, which offers 2-year degrees and certificates in photography, computer technology and law enforcement, had more than 750 students in 2008, according to statistics reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year was $20,583, a 1 percent decline from a year earlier.

Brandy Trick, a Dayton resident and photography student at Kaplan, said students learned of the layoffs on Thursday. “They called an emergency staff meeting and all these people were laid off,” she said.

A student protest of the layoffs is planned in front of the campus entrance of the for-profit school on Monday, June 28, Trick said. Kaplan officials would not allow a Dayton Daily News reporter to interview students on campus Friday.

Kaplan Higher Education acquired the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology in 2000 and relocated to the Moraine site last fall. In addition to higher education, Kaplan offers test preparation services and other types of professional training. It is a subsidiary of the Washington Post Company.

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Sinclair wins state OK to consider fee hike

By Christopher Magan | Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 11:34 AM

DAYTON - Sinclair Community College recently received approval from the Ohio Board of Regents and the state controlling board to consider increasing the technology fee charged to students.

Sinclair trustees already hiked tuition 3.5 percent for next school year so the fee increase would be above the state cap and required approval from Columbus, according to college and state officials.

Trustees have not set a date to vote on the proposed increase that would be phased in over three years and eventually raise $4.6 million a year. Students would see an increase of roughly $3 a credit hour, said Natasha Baker, school spokeswoman.

The money will be used to fund efforts to improve technology across campus, Baker said. “We have already updated 230 labs across campus and have a little over 150 or so still to do.” The school will spend $40 million over the next decade improving technology, she said.

Upgrades will included computers and other technology to help with on-line course offering that was a big reason the increase won approval from Chancellor Eric Fingerhut, said his spokesman Rob Evans.

Fees at other local community colleges have risen steadily since 2000, according to the annual survey of student charges compiled by the Ohio Board of Regents. Fees at Sinclair have been stagnant for 25 years, Baker said.

College trustees don’t meet until the fall and it is unclear if they will vote then on the proposed phased-in fee increase, Baker said.

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For-profits fighting new regulations

By Christopher Magan | Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 09:53 AM

I just caught up with an interesting NY Times story from Sunday about the fight for-profit colleges are waging against possible regulations that would limit the amount of debt students could take on depending on what they could expect to earn after graduation.

Tamar Lewin reports students would only be able to carry an 8 percent debt-to-income ratio and 10-year repayment schedules. The story also notes that in 2007 students at for-profits made up only 7 percent of those in higher education, but 44 percent of those defaulting on loans. Read The Times story here.

Local for-profits also have high default rates, many in double digits and some above 20 percent. These rates are typically much higher than public and private institutions, but there are a few exceptions, as I reported in May.

Steven Eisman, famous for having anticipated the housing crash, is quoted by The Times saying that without better oversight for-profit student loans could be the next national fiscal problem, with $275 billion in loans at stake.

The Chronicle of Higher Education also reported the for-profit college’s lobbying efforts in a May story.

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WSU teachers to attend institute to improve general education programs

By Christopher Magan | Friday, June 4, 2010, 08:28 AM

FAIRBORN - Wright State University professors will be one of 37 schools from across the nation to participate in the Association of American Colleges and Universities Institute on general education reforms.

Jean Edwards, associate psychology professor and director of general education, will lead a group of teachers June 4-9, to the institute who are all involved in the university’s transition from quarters to semesters.

Lillie Howard, senior vice president for curriculum and instruction, said this was an opportunity learn ways to improve general education. “Our team will have the opportunity to develop, in consultation with national experts, a robust assessment plan for our new general education program, the Wright State core, through which we will ensure the achievement of the above student learning outcomes,” she said.

The institute has offered colleges for 20 years a chance to collaborate and improve curriculum and programs.

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OSU professor to address “teaching across borders” at Antioch

By Christopher Magan | Thursday, June 3, 2010, 03:44 PM

YELLOW SPRINGS - Ohio State University associate professor of English Chadwick Allen will speak at Antioch College’s Coretta Scott King Center tonight, June 3.

Allen will discuss “teaching across boarders” at 7 p.m. in a program presented by the Morgan Fellows called “The Global Futures of Indigenous Studies,” according to a college news release.

Allen coordinates the American Indian Studies program at OSU and has written extensively on Native American literature.

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STEM funding available through state grant

By Christopher Magan | Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 03:41 PM

DAYTON - Miami Valley science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, teachers can now apply for a up to $50,000 grants after the Ohio Board of Regent awarded nearly $1 million to the area for teaching projects.

Teachers in nine counties - Greene, Montgomery, Clark, Champaign, Clinton, Warren, Darke, Miami and Preble - are eligible to apply for funding. Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers need an educational partner in business or the non-profit sector to apply. Applications are due June 4 and grants will be awarded June 10. Applications are at www.daytonstemschool.org.

“This round of funding from the state will build on the success of the Dayton STEM Hub, expanding the Dayton Regional STEM School and curriculum development and professional development for teachers in nine counties,” said Gregory Bernhardt, dean of Wright State’s College of Education and Human Services and president of the Dayton Regional STEM School. “This is good news for the region, because we can continue to build our pipeline for a STEM-educated workforce.”

Wright State serves as the fiscal agent for the grant money.

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Surgeon general to speak at WSU med school commencement

By Christopher Magan | Friday, May 28, 2010, 03:18 PM

FAIRBORN - Regina Benjamin, the U.S. Surgeon General, will give the commencement address tonight, May 28, at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.

The school will graduate 88 students at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton that will include a hooding ceremony, a professional oath and registry signing to commemorate their first use of the initials M.D.

Those graduates move on to residencies. Half will remain in Ohio and 43 percent are entering primary care fields such as family medicine and pediatrics.

Benjamin, will give an address titled “What America Wants and What Society Needs in its Future Physicians.”

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