credit DON'T cruch me out of the classroom

Recent news about the "credit crunch" and it's impact on "main street" is becoming more clear. One group that may feel the increased pressure first is the students on our many University campuses that are borrowing to meet tuition and fees, housing, and cost of living needs.

Now, more than ever, it seems integral that we focus on teaching students about personal finances and how to be smart about them. Far too often, students (especially first generation college goers) set off down the path of debt to fund college without the advice of an experienced adult. Interest rates, repayment plans, and how much is too much should be taught on our campuses through academic courses or student services seminars.

What successful examples of this have you seen on campuses around the nation? Should all students be required to take a course in personal finance? What resources are already available for students to utilize?

A recent opinion piece in the Charlotte Observer shares a few thoughts on how the federal government could respond to the student loans portion of the crunch. Without taking political jabs do you agree/disagree or have a different variation of your own plan to share?

PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB...I'm Innovating!

So we have all seen the creative commercials and have heard the newest buzzword that basically means creating, but has less of a liberal flare for those that find the latter less palatable. The United States is reknown for its ability to innovate and create new ideas and things - which may be a reason so many international students flock to our universities for higher education.

Today the challenge that we face is that more of the world is interested in being innovative and creating a populous and workforce that understands the value of innovation in solving some of our most important challenges. For the US this means more competition, for the world it means more innovation. What role should US institutions play in innovation today? Where should innovation take us in the future? How should students and communities be introduced to "innovation"?

The European Union has named 2009, the "Year of Creativity and Innovation". While it may only be a symbolic gesture that us unfunded, we do see dollars (euros/pounds) being thrown at research and innovation in places like Finland and now the UK (the UK has recently created a Department of Innovation)