Top Ten
December 8, 2008
Toronto Star exposes fake degree scam
On Sunday, the Toronto Star ran an article on its investigation into a phoney degree ring run by 26-year-old York University graduate Peng Sun, whose forgeries appear authentic. According to the Star's investigation, Peng charges $3,000 for most degrees, and $6,000 for a post-2006 University of Toronto degree. Peng also fabricates transcripts, admission letters, proof of tuition payments, and student ID cards. Last year, a degree mill allegedly run by 5 Chinese visa students was uncovered in Markham Ontario. The fake-degree market is a billion-dollar industry, with an estimated 200,000 phony diplomas being pumped out annually around the world. Toronto StarPossible $6-million deficit at Lakehead
Lakehead University may have a $6.3-million deficit in its May 2009 budget should there be no increases in income, and if expenses remain at current levels. However, the university's current surpluses would reduce the accumulated deficit to $5.5-million. Lakehead administration is exploring options to increase revenue and cut expenditures, such as a hiring freeze. Thunder Bay Chronicle-JournaluWindsor receives strong credit rating
The University of Windsor has been given a strong rating in the latest Moody's Investors Service report, which university president Alan Wildeman says reflects the school's "prudent" approach to finances and responsible money-management. The report, which gave uWindsor an Aa3 rating, says the current economic downturn is not likely to have a permanent negative impact on the school's financial position. The analysis found that the school has strong assets and a moderate debt burden. uWindsor recently rewrote portions of its operating budget to reflect the market turmoil. Windsor Star"Cotton-battening of thought" on campus should be reversed
An editorial published in Monday's Globe and Mail observes that students once fought for greater civil rights and liberties, but it appears that these days some want to limit free speech. The editorial cites the "absurd amendments" to the Lakehead University student union's constitution regarding student club activities, and the loss of club status for pro-life groups at schools like the University of Guelph and York University. Student executives should be called upon to "reverse this trend toward the cotton-battening of thought and debate on campus." Globe and MailAcadia creates virtual training tool for education students
Acadia University has developed a teaching-training tool called Managing to Teach (M2T), which simulates realistic classroom situations in which novice teachers can make decisions in a safe environment. M2T includes video of actual classroom scenes, text, interaction, and resource material. Users are required to make decisions and then view the consequences. A mentor will guide users through challenges and offer just-in-time feedback. M2T is available through the Internet or CD-ROM, and will be accessible to education students across Canada. Acadia News ReleaseuToronto leads in TVO Best Lecturer nominations
TVO has narrowed down the contenders in its 2009 Big Ideas Best Lecturer Competition from 125 professors to 20. The University of Toronto is leading with 8 nominees from its 3 campuses, followed by Carleton University and the University of Western Ontario with 3 contending professors each. The other schools represented among the top 20 are Brock, Canadore College, OCAD, UoGuelph, and York. TVO News Release | UoGuelph News Release | Western News
Postscript: Dec 11, 2008
In Tuesday's issue, we reported on the schools with faculty remaining in TVO's 2009 Big Ideas Best Lecturer Competition. We overlooked York University, which has 2 professors in the competition. The item has been corrected on our website. Y-File
