Traditionally, summer school has afforded undergraduates the opportunity to catch up or get a leg up on core requirements at a quick clip. But this summer at Colorado's premier colleges, students are enjoying seemingly less academic endeavors, including courses on comic books as literature and paranormal activity as it relates to pop culture.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Education
Follow this topic by RSSLegal challenges to CSU's new gun ban
The Board of Governors of Colorado State University voted this week to impose a sweeping gun ban on its to campuses. Pro-gun groups have threatened a legal challenge, but Colorado Attorney General John Suthers thinks the ban will stand in the end.
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John Suthers talks school safety
Following the shooting at Deer Creek Middle School this week, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers addressed a statewide conference on school safety. The state's top prosecutor says schools remain a safe place for kids and that training following the 1999 Columbine tragedy has helped to fortify campuses.
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Students back concealed carry on campus at CSU
LA Times staff writer Nicholas Riccardi discusses his recent article about the fight over concealed carry of weapons on campus at CSU.
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11/27: School funding fact and fiction
Does Colorado really rank at the bottom of the barrel for school funding?
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11/18: Reining in some out of control student fees
For a change, the CU Board of Regents does the right thing in protecting students' wallets.
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Who determines what makes for "rational" school funding?
An interview with Independence Institute policy analyst Ben DeGrow regarding a lawsuit alleging Colorado's school funding system is "irrational." In a recent op-ed, DeGrow says such questions are best handled by elected representatives, not the courts.
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9/8: Teachers should past on activist Obama curriculum
Will your kids hear from the President today?
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The week's news: Stimulus cash, an outta control HOA
Face The State's Brad Jones and Kate Melvin look at the week in Colorado news. CU students cash in on the stimulus act, and one apartment complex goes overboard on restricting minors' playtime. Plus, Breckenridge has good intentions with its wildfire planning proposal, but personal responsibility still has a role in protecting property.
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7/28: School fees add up
Kids may be entitled to a free public education, but school fees sure do add up quick.
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'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 7/27/09 - Replacing Marostica; school fees explained
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver to talk about recent stories penned by Face The State. This week: Who will replace state Rep. Don Marostica, who leaves the General Assembly to join the Ritter administration? And are school fees fair to parents and students stuck with shelling out hundreds of dollars every year?
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School fees and you
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer has more on the myriad fees parents will be asked to pay when registering their kids for school this fall. What most don't know is almost all are technically voluntary, though that fact isn't widely publicized.
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John Andrews on CCU's new Centennial Institute
An interview with former state Senate President John Andrews, who has founded the new Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood.
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7/24: Teachers' union priorities
You thought the teachers' union was about quality education for kids? Think again.
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7/23: CU's costly logo expedition
Three-quarters of a million dollars for a logo?
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The hidden costs of a 'free' education
A Face the State Staff Report
July 23, 2009As the beginning of a new school year approaches, parents prepare to fork out hundreds of dollars in fees for their children's constitutionally guaranteed free public education. What many don't realize - and isn't always obvious - is that many fees charged by school districts are technically voluntary. Consequences for non-payment are also not always made clear.
CSU prez, chancellor contracts worth over $3.75m
July 16, 2009Newly hired CSU Chancellor Joe Blake has promised to put transparency at the top of his agenda and in that spirit, Face the State is publishing employment contracts for Blake and President Tony Frank.
CU Regents predict partisan balance unchanged in 2010
A Face the State Staff Report
July 15, 2009While recent media attention has focused on statewide and congressional campaigns, the University of Colorado Board of Regents is also in play, with a third of its nine seats up for grabs next year. One Republican has announced plans to run for the open 4th congressional district, while two incumbents plan to defend their seats.
The week's news: A naked coffee shop? GJ skirts election law; Isgar to USDA
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin wrap up the week in Colorado news. A CU student has a bold idea for a new topless coffee shop, but it won't be on campus. Grand Junction skirts electioneering laws for a second year in a row, and state Sen. Jim Isgar's departure to the Obama administration reopens debate over legislative vacancies.
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FTS on 1310 KFKA: UNC prof in hot water; weekend show preview
Face The State visits with 1310 KFKA morning show hosts George Gray and Trevor Carey. A former professor at the University of Northern Colorado is in hot water for allegedly inappropriate relationships with students and possible possession of child pornography. Are amorous relationships between students and teachers ever OK in even the best of circumstances?
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Political cartoon for 7/9: Ward needs a J-O-B
Face The State Humor
July 9, 2009A Denver judge ruled this week that disgraced former Prof. Ward Churchill is not entitled to reinstatement at the University of Colorado, nor will he collect a monetary settlement. Churchill must now find gainful employment, but he may have to look outside academia for his next gig.
7/3: Boulder food nannies
How about a cupcake for dessert? Not in Boulder!
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Study comic books at CU, 'imagine' work at DU
June 29, 20096/26: Thought Police at CU-Colorado Springs
A CU student is vindicated, but not before having his name drug through the mud by school administrators.
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New CSU leaders to earn less than CU counterparts
June 25, 2009
After weeks of controversy and a heated lawsuit surrounding his selection process, former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President Joe Blake was confirmed Wednesday as Chancellor of the Colorado State University system. Blake will be paid $275,000 annually, significantly less than his peers at the University of Colorado, while other details of his contract are still being finalized.
Boulder's 'renegade lunch lady' back to the drawing board
June 24, 2009
The days of birthday cupcakes shared with the class or candy bar fundraisers for the football team may be drawing to a close. The Boulder Valley School District is considering a "wellness policy" aimed at "eliminating unhealthy food from the school experience." The plan contains 19 strategies for keeping kids fit: a nanny's dream indeed.
New mandatory CU fee is not a 'contribution'
FTS Opinion
June 18, 2009
A recent Face the State report detailed CU Boulder's new "Forever Buffs" fee, a $70 per student subsidy for the school's alumni association. The money - collected on matriculation, not graduation - will be instituted in the name of fraternity and togetherness, but is unfair, overreaching and excessive.
6/9: Boulder Valley teachers still not happy
Boulder Valley school teachers signed their new contract, and nobody likes it. Welcome to the new union logic.
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Segment 1 - The week's news: CU alums deliver; big spending at CSU; sweatin' it at work
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin wrap up the week in Colorado news. More alumni than ever are donating to the University of Colorado, but that doesn't stop the implementation of a new, mandatory fee for students. North in Fort Collins, the Coloradoan reports CSU spends $60,000 in a single month on food and entertainment. And Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper want you to sweat it out for the environment.
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FTS Exclusive: Details on CU's $29+ million in cuts
A Face the State Staff Report
June 2, 2009
Face The State has obtained a comprehensive list of cuts made by the University of Colorado to cover a $29 million budget shortfall in fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
Comparing graduation rates: More evidence that school choice works
June 1, 2009Last week, the Colorado Department of Education released graduation data for the class of 2008 revealing a graduation rate of 59 percent for low-income kids. Considering the fact that 59 percent is an F in school, we think it is fair to say that - on average - Colorado’s public schools are failing to serve low-income students. That's a shame, seeing as it's the most at-risk students that need an educational edge when beginning adult life.