Fashion Group International 2007 Recycled Fashion Show
"Salvage: Save the Fashion," will take place on Saturday, April 28, in the Lory Student Center North Ballroom. The show will feature garments created from recycled materials by students in the Department of Design and Merchandising, College of Applied Human Sciences.
The show is sponsored by the student chapter of Fashion Group International.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Admission is $3 for students and $5 for non-students. You can purchase tickets at the Campus Box Office in person, by calling (970) 491-4TIX, or online at http://www.csutix.com.
All proceeds will be donated to the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial fund.
Come and support CSU designers, stylists, and models!
Friday, April 27, 2007
The federal government wants to start tracking how well the nation's colleges teach
Harvard Physics Professor Eric Mazur is a pioneer in a growing movement that sees more aggressive evaluation as a way to transform higher education. Over the last two years, an increasing number of colleges and universities, including Harvard, have begun using critical thinking and writing tests to see if their students are learning what they should. And now the federal government is pushing to require all colleges to regularly assess students' progress -- and reveal the results to the public.
This month, the U.S. Department of Education is working with accrediting agencies to design new rules, pushing to require colleges to produce evidence that they're making progress with students and to require accreditors to compare the results of similar schools. The rules are inspired by work of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, a bipartisan panel convened by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
By Nov. 1, new rules have to be approved, and by July 2008, accrediting agencies must begin implementing the changes. But the effect on colleges, which are accredited every 10 years, would be staggered over time.
This month, the U.S. Department of Education is working with accrediting agencies to design new rules, pushing to require colleges to produce evidence that they're making progress with students and to require accreditors to compare the results of similar schools. The rules are inspired by work of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, a bipartisan panel convened by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
By Nov. 1, new rules have to be approved, and by July 2008, accrediting agencies must begin implementing the changes. But the effect on colleges, which are accredited every 10 years, would be staggered over time.
Good students who want to save money are turning to community colleges
As four-year universities have become more expensive, good students who want to save money are turning to community colleges to earn their core undergraduate credits. No longer wed primarily to a work force-training mission, many community colleges consider it a major, if not predominant goal, to prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
CSU Chancellor urges higher education institutions to avoid mistakes, adapt
Keynote at Higher Learning Commission conference
Higher education institutions must adapt to a new environment that relies less on state funding yet embraces public accountability and access for lower-income students, Colorado State University Chancellor Larry Edward Penley told a crowd of 3,800 higher-education leaders Monday.
Penley, recognized as a leader in identifying and acting on challenges facing higher education, was invited to give the keynote speech in Chicago at the annual conference of the Higher Learning Commission, the organization that accredits degree-granting educational institutions in 19 states in the country's North Central region.
Different and challenging environment for higher ed
"The writing is on the wall: Higher education confronts a very different and challenging environment," Penley said. "Seven countries with which we directly compete-Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, and Sweden-already are ahead of the United States in college-degree attainment. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., state budgets are strained by the rising costs of Medicaid, deteriorating infrastructure like bridges and roads, the need for more prison beds, and improvement of K-12 schools.
"Competition for what formerly was the state's budget for higher education is growing."
Need to face four costly mistakes
Publicly funded institutions need to face four costly mistakes in dealing with this new environment, Penley told the group Monday. He highlighted these mistakes and alternative "success strategies" for those charged to make the case for higher education:
1. Classic mistake: Whining about the money
Success strategy: Make higher education a partner in economic prosperity
2. Classic mistake: Threatening to privatize
Success strategy: Elevate higher education as a public good
3. Classic mistake: Focusing on the best and the brightest
Success strategy: Access WITH success for qualified students
4. Classic mistake: Eschewing accountability
Success strategy: Set challenging and measurable goals -and meet them
------------------------
Accountability with transparency
"We must make accessible our universities to those with lower incomes, but with equal commitment to those students' success," Penley said. "We must commit to accountability with transparency, with rising quality and value in our colleges and universities."
In Colorado, state support for higher education has dropped from 17 percent in 1997 to 9 percent today. Nationwide, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems or NCHEMS projects state revenues will be 5.7 percent lower than necessary to meet anticipated services expenditures within the next eight years. Every state will face a shortfall of varying magnitude, according to the NCHEMS forecast.
Change management that is sensitive to environment
"Arguing that education is different - which it is - from other industries only means that higher-education leaders must engage in change management that is sensitive to our own environment," Penley said. "We cannot be complacent; we must adopt goals that challenge us to stretch and improve, and then develop strategies and restructure and reorganize to achieve these goals."
Those goals include building partnerships with state governments; finding alternate sources of revenue; seeking lower-cost, higher-output alternatives to traditional instruction; and controlling administrative costs, Penley said.
Capitalize on contributions to regional economic prosperity
Universities must also capitalize on their contributions to regional economic prosperity. At Colorado State, the university has developed a strategic plan tied to economic development and statewide outreach. As part of that plan, the university created an Office of Vice Provost for Outreach and Strategic Partnerships to more effectively deliver community services - everything from economic development to agricultural research - to a network of 55 offices throughout the state.
Additionally, the university has created a Supercluster program that will make it easier for businesses to commercialize groundbreaking research in areas of global concern such as clean energy and cancer. The first Supercluster, MicroRx, focuses on infectious disease and looks and acts like a business with a chief operating officer who can help business people navigate academia.
Higher education is essential to our country's future
"Higher education is essential to our country's future - its economic prosperity and our quality of life," Penley told the Higher Learning Commission conference attendees. "We are higher education's leaders. The future of higher education-and the future of our country-depend on our rising to the challenges that confront us. Let us embrace those challenges."
----------------
The full speech, "Making the Case for Higher Education: Our Four Mistakes," is available at http://www.president.colostate.edu/index.asp?page=speech_hlc_april_23_07.
Contact: Brad Bohlander Email: Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu Phone Number: (970) 491-1545
Send to a Friend
Higher education institutions must adapt to a new environment that relies less on state funding yet embraces public accountability and access for lower-income students, Colorado State University Chancellor Larry Edward Penley told a crowd of 3,800 higher-education leaders Monday.
Penley, recognized as a leader in identifying and acting on challenges facing higher education, was invited to give the keynote speech in Chicago at the annual conference of the Higher Learning Commission, the organization that accredits degree-granting educational institutions in 19 states in the country's North Central region.
Different and challenging environment for higher ed
"The writing is on the wall: Higher education confronts a very different and challenging environment," Penley said. "Seven countries with which we directly compete-Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, and Sweden-already are ahead of the United States in college-degree attainment. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., state budgets are strained by the rising costs of Medicaid, deteriorating infrastructure like bridges and roads, the need for more prison beds, and improvement of K-12 schools.
"Competition for what formerly was the state's budget for higher education is growing."
Need to face four costly mistakes
Publicly funded institutions need to face four costly mistakes in dealing with this new environment, Penley told the group Monday. He highlighted these mistakes and alternative "success strategies" for those charged to make the case for higher education:
1. Classic mistake: Whining about the money
Success strategy: Make higher education a partner in economic prosperity
2. Classic mistake: Threatening to privatize
Success strategy: Elevate higher education as a public good
3. Classic mistake: Focusing on the best and the brightest
Success strategy: Access WITH success for qualified students
4. Classic mistake: Eschewing accountability
Success strategy: Set challenging and measurable goals -and meet them
------------------------
Accountability with transparency
"We must make accessible our universities to those with lower incomes, but with equal commitment to those students' success," Penley said. "We must commit to accountability with transparency, with rising quality and value in our colleges and universities."
In Colorado, state support for higher education has dropped from 17 percent in 1997 to 9 percent today. Nationwide, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems or NCHEMS projects state revenues will be 5.7 percent lower than necessary to meet anticipated services expenditures within the next eight years. Every state will face a shortfall of varying magnitude, according to the NCHEMS forecast.
Change management that is sensitive to environment
"Arguing that education is different - which it is - from other industries only means that higher-education leaders must engage in change management that is sensitive to our own environment," Penley said. "We cannot be complacent; we must adopt goals that challenge us to stretch and improve, and then develop strategies and restructure and reorganize to achieve these goals."
Those goals include building partnerships with state governments; finding alternate sources of revenue; seeking lower-cost, higher-output alternatives to traditional instruction; and controlling administrative costs, Penley said.
Capitalize on contributions to regional economic prosperity
Universities must also capitalize on their contributions to regional economic prosperity. At Colorado State, the university has developed a strategic plan tied to economic development and statewide outreach. As part of that plan, the university created an Office of Vice Provost for Outreach and Strategic Partnerships to more effectively deliver community services - everything from economic development to agricultural research - to a network of 55 offices throughout the state.
Additionally, the university has created a Supercluster program that will make it easier for businesses to commercialize groundbreaking research in areas of global concern such as clean energy and cancer. The first Supercluster, MicroRx, focuses on infectious disease and looks and acts like a business with a chief operating officer who can help business people navigate academia.
Higher education is essential to our country's future
"Higher education is essential to our country's future - its economic prosperity and our quality of life," Penley told the Higher Learning Commission conference attendees. "We are higher education's leaders. The future of higher education-and the future of our country-depend on our rising to the challenges that confront us. Let us embrace those challenges."
----------------
The full speech, "Making the Case for Higher Education: Our Four Mistakes," is available at http://www.president.colostate.edu/index.asp?page=speech_hlc_april_23_07.
Contact: Brad Bohlander Email: Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu Phone Number: (970) 491-1545
Send to a Friend
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Solidarity
Virginia Tech Tragedy
Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley.
April 16, 2007
To: The Colorado State University campus community
From: Larry Edward Penley
Re: Tragedy at Virginia Tech
By now many of you have heard about the horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech as well as the surrounding community of Blacksburg.
We have several faculty members at Colorado State University who are alumni of Virginia Tech as well as faculty, students, staff, and administrators like me who are from the Blacksburg region. It is understandable that many of you may experience various levels of concern and/or grief as a result of this tragic event. Please be aware that support is available to anyone who needs it through the Employee Assistance Program, ComPsych, which can be reached by calling 800-497-9133 or at http://www.guidanceresources.com and enter CSUEAP under company ID.
I also want to assure you that Colorado State University places the highest priority on the well being of all those in our community. Accordingly, the CSU Police Department has an emergency response plan in place to respond quickly to any crisis situation that may arise; however, all members of the CSU community are encouraged to remain vigilant as always and to report any concerns to CSUPD. In addition, university students and employees are reminded that they can help keep their campus secure by reporting suspicious behavior, locking doors, being conscientious of building and personal security, and by generally looking out for one another.
Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley.
April 16, 2007
To: The Colorado State University campus community
From: Larry Edward Penley
Re: Tragedy at Virginia Tech
By now many of you have heard about the horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech as well as the surrounding community of Blacksburg.
We have several faculty members at Colorado State University who are alumni of Virginia Tech as well as faculty, students, staff, and administrators like me who are from the Blacksburg region. It is understandable that many of you may experience various levels of concern and/or grief as a result of this tragic event. Please be aware that support is available to anyone who needs it through the Employee Assistance Program, ComPsych, which can be reached by calling 800-497-9133 or at http://www.guidanceresources.com and enter CSUEAP under company ID.
I also want to assure you that Colorado State University places the highest priority on the well being of all those in our community. Accordingly, the CSU Police Department has an emergency response plan in place to respond quickly to any crisis situation that may arise; however, all members of the CSU community are encouraged to remain vigilant as always and to report any concerns to CSUPD. In addition, university students and employees are reminded that they can help keep their campus secure by reporting suspicious behavior, locking doors, being conscientious of building and personal security, and by generally looking out for one another.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
University engineers tissues to reduce use of animals in research
University engineers tissues to reduce use of animals in research
April 9, 2007
Colorado State University is engineering tissue in a laboratory that can replace the use of animals in research. The Tissue Engineering Laboratory, established this academic year in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, creates tissue from a combination of cells, materials and biochemicals that model living biological systems. The model tissue replaces live animals in the initial phases of many biological studies, reducing the number of animals needed for use in research.
"As a researcher, I want to understand tissue cellular responses and develop a greater capacity to mitigate or prevent damage," said Dr. Tom Eurell, veterinarian and expert in toxicology and immunology and director of the laboratory. "As a veterinarian, I want to minimize or eliminate painful experiments in animals. Tissue engineering allows me to do both.
"It is impossible with current technology to model whole systems of human or animal response and repair, and to model systemic inflammation," Eurell said. "But we have the technology to be smarter about what we use and to refine our techniques for the benefit of both animals and humans."
For example, Eurell engineers artificial corneas. He uses corneas from already euthanized animals or human corneas donated to research as a "starter" to engineer more corneas by isolating stem cells from the corneas and growing new tissue in the lab. Each donated cornea can be used to create 20 to 25 artificial corneas. This reduces the need for live animals to test a variety of products and chemicals for eye irritants.
"We are trying to understand the best ways to help the eye repair itself following injury, and there are many things we don't know about this process," Eurell said. "For instance, we are interested in determining what happens to cornea cells after they have been exposed to lasers from therapeutic procedures such as LASIK or accidental exposure such as exposure to lasers during manufacturing processes. Engineering cornea tissue allows us to add one more tool to research rather than testing an initial concept on animals. We can use engineered tissues to assess the concept and determine from those results whether or not we should even move on to the next steps in research."
Eurell is working with human corneas donated from local surgery centers that do human corneal transplants to develop multiple corneas for research within the lab. These engineered corneas are used in the lab to study how the cornea actually functions when healing after injuries. By developing these models, Eurell can better understand how cells interact during the healing process.
In addition to researching cornea repair, Eurell also works with colleagues at Colorado State to research how lung cells react to airborne particles of different sizes, the use of nanotechnology to address health issues, proteins within cells, and substrate and cell interactions.
Tissue engineering has been used for some time to repair or replace hard tissues, such as bones, in human and veterinary patients. More recent developments in soft tissue research, including corneas, skin and muscle, can greatly reduce the number of animals used to test compounds and research tissue repair after trauma.
April 9, 2007
Colorado State University is engineering tissue in a laboratory that can replace the use of animals in research. The Tissue Engineering Laboratory, established this academic year in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, creates tissue from a combination of cells, materials and biochemicals that model living biological systems. The model tissue replaces live animals in the initial phases of many biological studies, reducing the number of animals needed for use in research.
"As a researcher, I want to understand tissue cellular responses and develop a greater capacity to mitigate or prevent damage," said Dr. Tom Eurell, veterinarian and expert in toxicology and immunology and director of the laboratory. "As a veterinarian, I want to minimize or eliminate painful experiments in animals. Tissue engineering allows me to do both.
"It is impossible with current technology to model whole systems of human or animal response and repair, and to model systemic inflammation," Eurell said. "But we have the technology to be smarter about what we use and to refine our techniques for the benefit of both animals and humans."
For example, Eurell engineers artificial corneas. He uses corneas from already euthanized animals or human corneas donated to research as a "starter" to engineer more corneas by isolating stem cells from the corneas and growing new tissue in the lab. Each donated cornea can be used to create 20 to 25 artificial corneas. This reduces the need for live animals to test a variety of products and chemicals for eye irritants.
"We are trying to understand the best ways to help the eye repair itself following injury, and there are many things we don't know about this process," Eurell said. "For instance, we are interested in determining what happens to cornea cells after they have been exposed to lasers from therapeutic procedures such as LASIK or accidental exposure such as exposure to lasers during manufacturing processes. Engineering cornea tissue allows us to add one more tool to research rather than testing an initial concept on animals. We can use engineered tissues to assess the concept and determine from those results whether or not we should even move on to the next steps in research."
Eurell is working with human corneas donated from local surgery centers that do human corneal transplants to develop multiple corneas for research within the lab. These engineered corneas are used in the lab to study how the cornea actually functions when healing after injuries. By developing these models, Eurell can better understand how cells interact during the healing process.
In addition to researching cornea repair, Eurell also works with colleagues at Colorado State to research how lung cells react to airborne particles of different sizes, the use of nanotechnology to address health issues, proteins within cells, and substrate and cell interactions.
Tissue engineering has been used for some time to repair or replace hard tissues, such as bones, in human and veterinary patients. More recent developments in soft tissue research, including corneas, skin and muscle, can greatly reduce the number of animals used to test compounds and research tissue repair after trauma.
'Helicopter' parents from all socioeconomic backgrounds
'Helicopter' parents from all socioeconomic backgrounds'Helicopter' parenting, the term used to describe the behavior of parents who are known to hover too closely over children of any age, including college-age offspring, appears to cross ethnic, racial and socioeconomic status, according to what is believed to be the first scholarly research on the subject.
A researcher from the University of Texas-Austin indicates cellphones, smaller families, and parents who may be reliving through their offspring some of their own fond experiences while in college, may be contributing to the helicopter-like behavior.
High college costs are also cited as a likely reason for the revying-up of parents' involvement.
Read more in USA Today at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-03-helicopter-study_N.htm?csp=34.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Makers of the GRE scrap makeover plans
April 5, 2007
Plans for an extensive makeover of the GRE graduate school exam have been canceled, citing concerns all students couldn't be accommodated at test centers.
Currently, most student take the GRE on a computer, but the Educational Testing Service, which designs the exam, had hoped to change to a more secure Internet-based system and expand the number of locations where the test could be taken.
The GRE is taken annually by between 550,000 and 600,000 graduate schools applicants.
Learn more about the GRE and visit ETS online at: http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=b195e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD.
Plans for an extensive makeover of the GRE graduate school exam have been canceled, citing concerns all students couldn't be accommodated at test centers.
Currently, most student take the GRE on a computer, but the Educational Testing Service, which designs the exam, had hoped to change to a more secure Internet-based system and expand the number of locations where the test could be taken.
The GRE is taken annually by between 550,000 and 600,000 graduate schools applicants.
Learn more about the GRE and visit ETS online at: http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=b195e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD.
Job Fair
Teacher Job Fair April 10 and 11
The Colorado State University Career Center is hosting a K-12 Teacher Job Fair on April 10 and 11, in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center. More than 150 school personnel from 70 Colorado school districts will visit campus to interview for teaching opportunities for the 2007-2008 school year.
Interview scheduling is 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees must attend on Tuesday in order to ask for interviews on Wednesday.
The fair continues on Wednesday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For a list of school districts attending the Teachers Job Fair, visit http://www.career.colostate.edu/careerFairs/reports/OrgProfileListing.aspx?id=T041007.
There is no charge for CSU students and alumni; non-CSU affiliates may attend and pay the walk-in registration fee of $25.
--------------------
For additional information, visit http://www.career.colostate.edu/careerFairs/edfair.html
The Colorado State University Career Center is hosting a K-12 Teacher Job Fair on April 10 and 11, in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center. More than 150 school personnel from 70 Colorado school districts will visit campus to interview for teaching opportunities for the 2007-2008 school year.
Interview scheduling is 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees must attend on Tuesday in order to ask for interviews on Wednesday.
The fair continues on Wednesday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For a list of school districts attending the Teachers Job Fair, visit http://www.career.colostate.edu/careerFairs/reports/OrgProfileListing.aspx?id=T041007.
There is no charge for CSU students and alumni; non-CSU affiliates may attend and pay the walk-in registration fee of $25.
--------------------
For additional information, visit http://www.career.colostate.edu/careerFairs/edfair.html
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
New study finds today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors
College students think they're so special
Study finds alarming rise in narcissism, self-centeredness in ‘Generation Me’
Janet Hamlin / AP
getCSS("3088867")
NBC VIDEO
Generation Me Feb. 28:
According to a new study, college students are more narcissistic than ever.
Jean Twenge, the author of the study "Egos Inflating Over Time," discusses the trend.
NEW YORK - Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.
“We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re special’ and having children repeat that back,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. “Kids are self-centered enough already.”
Twenge and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego on the generation gap, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.
The standardized inventory, known as the NPI, asks for responses to such statements as “If I ruled the world, it would be a better place,” “I think I am a special person” and “I can live my life any way I want to.”
The researchers describe their study as the largest ever of its type and say students’ NPI scores have risen steadily since the current test was introduced in 1982. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
We're all above average!Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people “or auditioning on ‘American Idol.”’
“Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others,” he said.
The study asserts that narcissists “are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors.”
Twenge, the author of “Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before,” said narcissists tend to lack empathy, react aggressively to criticism and favor self-promotion over helping others.
The researchers traced the phenomenon back to what they called the “self-esteem movement” that emerged in the 1980s, asserting that the effort to build self-confidence had gone too far.
What do you think?
‘I am special, I am special’As an example, Twenge cited a song commonly sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques” in preschool: “I am special, I am special. Look at me.”
“Current technology fuels the increase in narcissism,” Twenge said. “By its very name, MySpace encourages attention-seeking, as does YouTube.”
Some analysts have commended today’s young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.
Campbell said the narcissism upsurge seemed so pronounced that he was unsure if there were obvious remedies.
“Permissiveness seems to be a component,” he said. “A potential antidote would be more authoritative parenting. Less indulgence might be called for.”
The new report follows a study released by UCLA last month which found that nearly three-quarters of the freshmen it surveyed thought it was important to be “very well-off financially.” That compared with 62.5 percent who said the same in 1980 and 42 percent in 1966.
Yet students, while acknowledging some legitimacy to such findings, don’t necessarily accept negative generalizations about their generation.
Hanady Kader, a University of Washington senior, said she worked unpaid last summer helping resettle refugees and considers many of her peers to be civic-minded. But she is dismayed by the competitiveness of some students who seem prematurely focused on career status.
“We’re encouraged a lot to be individuals and go out there and do what you want, and nobody should stand in your way,” Kader said. “I can see goals and ambitions getting in the way of other things like relationships.”
Kari Dalane, a University of Vermont sophomore, says most of her contemporaries are politically active and not overly self-centered.
Enough about me, what do you think about me?“People are worried about themselves — but in the sense of where are they’re going to find a place in the world,” she said. “People want to look their best, have a good time, but it doesn’t mean they’re not concerned about the rest of the world.”
Besides, some of the responses on the narcissism test might not be worrisome, Dalane said. “It would be more depressing if people answered, ‘No, I’m not special.”’
Study finds alarming rise in narcissism, self-centeredness in ‘Generation Me’
Janet Hamlin / AP
getCSS("3088867")
NBC VIDEO
Generation Me Feb. 28:
According to a new study, college students are more narcissistic than ever.
Jean Twenge, the author of the study "Egos Inflating Over Time," discusses the trend.
NEW YORK - Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.
“We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re special’ and having children repeat that back,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. “Kids are self-centered enough already.”
Twenge and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego on the generation gap, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.
The standardized inventory, known as the NPI, asks for responses to such statements as “If I ruled the world, it would be a better place,” “I think I am a special person” and “I can live my life any way I want to.”
The researchers describe their study as the largest ever of its type and say students’ NPI scores have risen steadily since the current test was introduced in 1982. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
We're all above average!Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people “or auditioning on ‘American Idol.”’
“Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others,” he said.
The study asserts that narcissists “are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors.”
Twenge, the author of “Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before,” said narcissists tend to lack empathy, react aggressively to criticism and favor self-promotion over helping others.
The researchers traced the phenomenon back to what they called the “self-esteem movement” that emerged in the 1980s, asserting that the effort to build self-confidence had gone too far.
What do you think?
‘I am special, I am special’As an example, Twenge cited a song commonly sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques” in preschool: “I am special, I am special. Look at me.”
“Current technology fuels the increase in narcissism,” Twenge said. “By its very name, MySpace encourages attention-seeking, as does YouTube.”
Some analysts have commended today’s young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.
Campbell said the narcissism upsurge seemed so pronounced that he was unsure if there were obvious remedies.
“Permissiveness seems to be a component,” he said. “A potential antidote would be more authoritative parenting. Less indulgence might be called for.”
The new report follows a study released by UCLA last month which found that nearly three-quarters of the freshmen it surveyed thought it was important to be “very well-off financially.” That compared with 62.5 percent who said the same in 1980 and 42 percent in 1966.
Yet students, while acknowledging some legitimacy to such findings, don’t necessarily accept negative generalizations about their generation.
Hanady Kader, a University of Washington senior, said she worked unpaid last summer helping resettle refugees and considers many of her peers to be civic-minded. But she is dismayed by the competitiveness of some students who seem prematurely focused on career status.
“We’re encouraged a lot to be individuals and go out there and do what you want, and nobody should stand in your way,” Kader said. “I can see goals and ambitions getting in the way of other things like relationships.”
Kari Dalane, a University of Vermont sophomore, says most of her contemporaries are politically active and not overly self-centered.
Enough about me, what do you think about me?“People are worried about themselves — but in the sense of where are they’re going to find a place in the world,” she said. “People want to look their best, have a good time, but it doesn’t mean they’re not concerned about the rest of the world.”
Besides, some of the responses on the narcissism test might not be worrisome, Dalane said. “It would be more depressing if people answered, ‘No, I’m not special.”’
Monday, April 2, 2007
Online calculator based on FAFSA now available
April 1, 2007
Students no longer have to wait until the last year of high school to learn whether the federal government will help pay for college.
Student's and their parent's can now go to http://FederalStudentAid.ed.gov and use the Department of Education's FAFSA4caster to get an idea of whether they are eligible for federal financial aid. The Web site also include tools that help families find scholarships as well as a tutorital on the financial-aid process.
The online calculator is based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is required for most grants, loans, and scholarships. Typically, families cannot fill out the FAFSA and see an aid package until Jan. 1 of the year they plan to attend college. However, the FAFSA4caster can be completed at any time.
The tool estimates what the federal government would expect the family to contribute toward higher education costs. The online calculator will also indicate whether a student is likely to qualify for a Pell Grant.
Spanish-language version
A Spanish-language version of the forecaster will be available April 29.
Upgraded forecaster to estimate loan eligibility
In September, an upgraded forecaster is expected that will also estimate eligibility for federal loans.
Students no longer have to wait until the last year of high school to learn whether the federal government will help pay for college.
Student's and their parent's can now go to http://FederalStudentAid.ed.gov and use the Department of Education's FAFSA4caster to get an idea of whether they are eligible for federal financial aid. The Web site also include tools that help families find scholarships as well as a tutorital on the financial-aid process.
The online calculator is based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is required for most grants, loans, and scholarships. Typically, families cannot fill out the FAFSA and see an aid package until Jan. 1 of the year they plan to attend college. However, the FAFSA4caster can be completed at any time.
The tool estimates what the federal government would expect the family to contribute toward higher education costs. The online calculator will also indicate whether a student is likely to qualify for a Pell Grant.
Spanish-language version
A Spanish-language version of the forecaster will be available April 29.
Upgraded forecaster to estimate loan eligibility
In September, an upgraded forecaster is expected that will also estimate eligibility for federal loans.
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