colleges

Revenue stream: UMass hedges its bets, hoping research can be its cash cow

Kristin Palpini — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts spent a record $489 million on research last fiscal year, but UMass officials are already predicting next year's spending will blow that figure away. And they say that is good news for a university that has so much riding on research, especially at a time when state support for public education is waning.

Dashboard death wish: UMass simulator details risks of texting at the wheel

Kristin Palpini — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0400

AMHERST - A person is 20 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident while writing a text message than at any other time, and younger drivers are more likely to indulge in distractions while driving than more experienced motorists, according to University of Massachusetts research. The data, part of ongoing driving-while-distracted research at the flagship's Human Performance Lab, comes at a time when state lawmakers are considering legislation to ban texting while behind the wheel - and perhaps cell phone use in general.
--Statehouse on verge of approving cell phone rules for drivers

UMass admits mishandling alleged rape

Kristin Palpini — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0500

AMHERST - University of Massachusetts officials say they mishandled a case in which a student who confessed to sexually assaulting a woman on campus last fall was given a deferred suspension. The incident is still under investigation by campus police and charges could still be brought, but a university spokesman acknowledged that "the system did not work the way it should have worked."
--At Thursday forum, women attest to sex crimes on UMass campus

At forum, women attest to sex crimes on campus

Owen Boss — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0500

AMHERST - At a meeting intended to quell growing concern following a recently publicized report of a past sexual assault on campus, school officials heard from several outraged students Thursday, some of whom shared their own stories of rape and the red tape that kept the alleged perpetrator from being punished.

Students protest cuts at campuses

AP Wire — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:44:16 -0500

BERKELEY, Calif. - Students staged raucous rallies to protest education funding cuts on college campuses nationwide Thursday, but some demonstrations got out of hand as protesters threw punches and ice chunks in Wisconsin and shut down a major freeway in California.

UMass to hold meeting on handling of alleged rape case

Kristin Palpini — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0500

AMHERST - The University of Massachusetts will hold a campus meeting tonight to address the handling of an alleged sexual assault on campus that has drawn criticism from the community.

Wilson set to retire as UMass president

Kristin Palpini — Tue, 2 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0500

AMHERST - In the wake of news that University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson will step down in 2011, UMass faculty credited Wilson for supporting the university's research initiatives, the creation of the lucrative UMassOnline, and shepherding the university through difficult financial times.