U.S. News and World Report: UMBC on the Rise

US News and World Report published its annual rankings of colleges and universities today. New to this years rankings, a number of institutions have been ranked for their progress and growth within their category and labeled "up-and-coming." UMBC ranked fifth in the report for up-and-coming national universities.

University of Maryland, College Park moved up a spot in overall rankings for national universities to 53. University of Maryland, Eastern Shore maintained its prominent stature as a leading historically black institution at 28 in its category.

To see all rankings, review the U.S. News and World Report College Rankings 2009.

Drinking Age Revisited

Chancellor Kirwan of the University System of Maryland and other higher education officials spoke out today to re-open the conversation about the current drinking age, covered by an article in The Sun. Presidents and others are working together through the Amethyst Initiative to encourage a new conversation about alcohol consumption. The initiative contends that the raised drinking age has brought about a culture of "binge-drinking," particularly on college campuses.

The following administrators in Maryland have signed onto the Initiative:
Chancellor William E. Kirwan, University System of Maryland
President C.D. Mote Jr., University of Maryland--College Park
President Robert Caret, Towson University
President Jennifer Hunter-Cevera, University of Maryland-Biotechnology Institute
President Mary Pat Seurkamp, College of Notre Dame of Maryland
President William Brody, Johns Hopkins University
President L. Baird Tipson, Washington College
(click here for a full list of signtories)

How do you feel on this issue? Would lowering the drinking age decrease binge-drinking on your campus? Do you feel like students safely drink on your campus? How do laws and campus-policies affect drinking patterns at your college?

BREAKING NEWS: University accidentally releases social security numbers - News

BREAKING NEWS: University accidentally releases social security numbers - News

Nearly three weeks ago, social security numbers were inadvertently published on a mass-mailing for student parking permits. It is my understanding that students will be offered remedies, including credit monitoring services and insurance. A letter is to be sent to be in the mail to students by today.