Mugabe degree under fire

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts is again considering whether to strip Zimbabwean President Robert G. Mugabe of an honorary degree awarded him in 1986.

Project's education 'blueprint' due in early June

BOSTON - A 10-year plan to overhaul Massachusetts public education from pre-kindergarten through college will be unveiled by the governor's office within several weeks.

The plan, dubbed the Readiness Project, was described as "bold" by Paul Reville, the Commonwealth's Secretary of Education, who added that it should be made public in the beginning of June.

Confessional Web site creates headache for college

AMHERST - At first, AmherstConfessional.com, an anonymous messaging Web site for the Amherst College community, was a haven for stressed-out students looking to make cathartic revelations in a safe environment.

Then the site degenerated into a hotbed of name calling and insults.

Now, the three-month-old site is a host for hate speech.

UMass president wants Mugabe's degree revoked

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts is again considering whether to strip Zimbabwe President Robert G. Mugabe of an honorary degree awarded him in 1986.

Has Sabrina, muse of pranks, been sprung from bunker?

AMHERST - In her 151 years, Amherst resident Sabrina has been through a lot.

She's been hung out of a soaring helicopter, "kidnapped" several times, painted from head to toe, dumped in a well and held out of a moving train.

And it seems this 350-pound bronze statue's adventures are far from over.

May's mortarboards prepare for launch: Who's speaking where at area college commencements

College commencement season is upon the Valley. This year, area institutions of higher education will hand thousands of diplomas to graduating students during the weekends of May 17–-June 1.

UMass chancellor makes Springfield a top priority

AMHERST - In a move meant to demonstrate his new employer's commitment to Springfield, the incoming University of Massachusetts chancellor made a special visit to the city Tuesday, within 24 hours of his appointment.

It now falls to Robert C. Holub to push a collaboration designed to benefit both the city and the school.

'Toxic 100' list has goal

AMHERST - In one year, American Electric Power, one of the nation's largest electricity generators, let loose over 91 million pounds of toxics-laden air into the atmosphere, according to a new environmental report compiled by the University of Massachusetts.

Outside firm studying UMass computer breach

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts has hired an outside firm to conduct a forensic analysis following a security breach of the university's Health Services computer network.

The April intrusion forced the university to shut down the department's 150 computers, but did not interrupt medical service. These computers have since been repaired and are back in service.

Colleagues laud UMass choice

AMHERST - Visionary. Persuasive. Intelligent. Inclusive to a point - but autocratic after a decision. Ethical. Transparent. A snazzy dresser with an affinity for hats. These were words colleagues at the University of Tennessee used to describe Robert C. Holub, the man University of Massachusetts trustees unanimously elected Monday to be the next chancellor of the flagship Amherst campus.