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adopted June 25, 1999
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Mr. Alfred C. Koeppe
Executive Director
Chair, Commission on Higher Education
Flexibility and Productivity
Effective Delivery of Services
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Distribution
Transfer and Articulation
Accelerated Student Learning
Undergraduate Education
Graduate Education
Research and Scholarship
Continuing Education
Meeting Workforce Needs
Graduation and Transfer Rates
Serving Educationally and Economically Disadvantaged Students
Support for Students with Limited English Proficiency
Literacy and Remediation
Urban Revitalization
Addressing the State's Societal Needs
Developing Environmental Talent 23
Preventive Health Care
Substance Abuse Prevention
Cultural Competency
State Student Assistance Funding
Mission Differentiation, Program Development, and Collaboration
Advocacy and Excellence
There are significant challenges facing higher education as it plans for the future, including such things as:
Individual institutions, the system, and the state must be architects of change to deal with these new realities, and change often requires bold steps.
The first update of Looking to the New Millennium: New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education reaffirms the plan's vision and moves beyond the original principles and policy recommendations, defining a course for our colleges and universities to achieve their aspirations for excellence. Considerable progress has been made since 1996 in addressing critical state issues and the basic conditions to support the vision for higher education. Yet the system's aspirations of being among the best in the world demand more deliberate planning and bold action.
This updated long-range plan calls upon New Jersey and its institutions to address the issue of mission differentiation directly, focusing energy and resources on specific areas of strength to develop academic and research programs that are highly regarded in New Jersey and beyond. The update also places a renewed emphasis on advocacy for higher education, recommending the development of the broad constituency and support needed to make New Jersey's vision for higher education a reality.
In October 1996, the Commission on Higher Education adopted, with advice from the Presidents' Council and the broader higher education community, Looking to the New Millennium: New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education. The Commission called for a periodic review and update of the plan in order to allow for further development and refinement as needed. In February 1998, the Commission and the Presidents' Council established the Long-Range Plan Review Committee to undertake the first such review; this document includes their findings and recommendations.
As a first step, the committee reviewed the status of all of the recommendations in the plan. In order to determine progress in implementing the recommendations directed specifically toward colleges and universities, the committee conducted a survey of the institutions. Forty-nine of New Jersey's 56 colleges and universities responded, including all 31 public institutions, 13 of 14 independent institutions with a public mission, three degree-granting proprietary institutions, and two religious institutions. This report includes a summary of each of the plan's recommendations, as well as a status report on each and, in some cases, further recommendations. (New recommendations are boxed within the text for ease of identification.)
In an effort to better determine the requisites of excellence in higher education, the committee also sought information from various stakeholders (including students, parents, faculty, union representatives, government officials, business leaders, and others) regarding what they desire, expect, and need from colleges and universities. The requisites of excellence identified by stakeholders, for the most part, reaffirm the vision and characteristics of excellence laid out in the plan to guide New Jersey higher education. The responses also provided valuable insights that assisted the committee as it updated the plan.
The work of the joint Commission and Presidents' Council Restructuring Assessment Committee also provided valuable perceptions related to long-range planning. Both the results of the Higher Education Restructuring Assessment Questionnaire and the discussions from a statewide conference were considered in developing recommendations for the future.
Looking to the New Millennium: New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education is the state's first long-range plan for higher education since 1981. The plan articulates the restructured higher education system's vision to be among the best in the world, embracing excellence, access, and affordability. It also identifies the essential conditions that will provide the foundation for achieving that vision. These include clearly focused and differentiated institutional missions, institutional and systemwide accountability, adequate and predictable state funding, a well-developed technology infrastructure, and coordinated advocacy. The plan also focuses on ways in which higher education can be more responsive to the needs of students and society and includes specific recommendations aimed at addressing six critical issues facing New Jersey that were identified in 1996 with the involvement of state, community, and business leaders:
In the two and one-half years since adoption, many of the plan's recommendations have been fully or partially implemented. Examples of accomplishments related to critical state issues include:
Examples of accomplishments related to the essential conditions for achieving the vision include:
Section III of the report provides a status update on all of the plan's recommendations. In many cases, the plan's institution-based recommendations are ongoing principles of good practice in which many or most of the institutions were already engaged. Efforts to adhere to those principles and to implement remaining recommendations should continue. They are all tied to serving the needs of students and society and to the realization of excellence. We are ready now, however, to expand the plan beyond a collection of individual principles and policy recommendations and vigorously set forth on a strategic course to make New Jersey higher education competitive with the best in the world. This first review and update of the long-range plan focuses on defining that course.ACHIEVING THE VISION
New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education appropriately identified several basic conditions that are essential to accomplish the recommendations related to the state's critical needs and to achieve the vision. A great deal of progress has been made in some of these areas, but the path to excellence, access, and affordability requires further effort to fully achieve these basic conditions. They represent the foundation necessary to support the vision, and they require both state and institutional action.
For example, the original long-range plan stressed the importance of the state's providing adequate and predictable funding to support a cost-sharing partnership between students and the state and to ensure the quality of our colleges and universities. Amid general recognition that the funding partnership in the community college sector was the most in need of adjustment, the state committed $12 million a year for four years to better balance that partnership and moderate tuition and fee increases. However, increases in the state's contribution to the senior public and independent institutions are needed to provide the appropriate funding balance in those sectors as well. In fact, establishment of adequate state support for the senior public institutions to meet fixed cost increases, without relying heavily on increases in tuition and fees, is fundamental to moving toward the vision of excellence, access, and affordability. The state support, of course, must be coupled with continuing institutional cost containment and resource sharing.
The state also made a significant investment in two of the other basic conditions that are essential for a competitive higher education system that meets the societal and economic needs of the state: technology infrastructure and facilities renewal. The Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Fund allowed institutions to accelerate their institutional plans and spurred extraordinary interinstitutional efforts that will provide a significant return on the investment. Similarly, the state's recent commitment to increase the Chapter 12 bond limit for community college facilities, as well as the proposed bond issue to increase capital funding for senior public and independent institutions, will allow for new construction as well as the much needed preservation and enhancement. This commitment will protect the already significant investment in college and university facilities and provide a safe, healthy, and appropriate learning environment. It is essential that institutions, in partnership with the state, commit to ongoing maintenance of facilities and the continued development of a robust, competitive technology infrastructure.
In another area, the state's new performance funding initiative reflects the higher degree of accountability that is expected with increased institutional autonomy. Performance funding promises to recognize colleges and universities for achievement of important benchmarks related to state priorities. Together, continued development of performance funding and annual accountability reports will help institutions and the system measure progress toward statewide goals and the shared vision. At the same time, individual institutions will set and pursue benchmarks related to their own missions and aspirations for excellence.
In still another basic area, student assistance, New Jersey continues to stand among the leading states in its commitment to need-based aid for full-time undergraduate students. An ongoing effort is necessary, however, to provide state assistance for the most economically disadvantaged part-time students as well.
There are two additional basic conditions identified in the plan as essential for achieving the vision: advocacy and institutional mission differentiation. While each of the plan's recommendations and the other basic conditions must be pursued, efforts in the area of advocacy and mission differentiation should be a primary focus of attention over the next decade in order to make higher education in New Jersey among the best available. Therefore, the two most far-reaching recommendations added to the plan are in these areas.
Advocacy: Advocacy for higher education played a major part in the implementation of many of the original plan's recommendations. The plan was effective in guiding institutional and state policy, planning, and resource allocation. The Commission, the Presidents' Council, and individual presidents articulated the importance of addressing priority needs. However, there is an ongoing need to better communicate higher education's fundamental value to society and the economic well being of the state. Increased awareness of that value is essential to developing the broader constituency and support necessary to maintain a high-quality system of higher education in the future.
This updated plan calls upon the Commission on Higher Education to address both advocacy and the quest for excellence. The Commission should develop and implement strategies to raise the level of awareness of the value of our colleges and universities and to make the case for investment in higher education based on institutional and systemwide data. It should also identify supplemental state funding strategies that will assist institutions in striving for excellence. The Commission should seek assistance and advice as necessary and should provide ongoing direction in implementing New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education. (Specific recommendation can be found here.)
Institutional Mission Differentiation: The state can and should dare to reach more energetically for excellence in higher education, but it must recognize that success will be determined by the degree to which individual institutions are among the best in what they do. In identifying requisites of excellence in higher education, stakeholders often cited the importance of a strong reputation in specific academic or research areas, which attracts high-achieving students and faculty. In today's global, competitive economy, however, institutions often have a tendency to expand missions and diversify, rather than to focus resources and energies to achieve excellence in targeted areas.
Building a global image in higher education requires building on the strength of individual institutions within a coordinated system of colleges and universities. In striving for excellence, New Jersey's colleges and universities are encouraged to review and, where necessary, refine their missions to focus on that which they do best. They are encouraged to identify their strongest programs and make them competitive with peer institutions that are among the best in the region, the nation, or the world, while maintaining the quality of all viable programs and discontinuing those that are weak or underenrolled. At the same time, the state should encourage such pursuit of excellence by providing additional resources to individual institutions where there is strong evidence of institutional planning and leadership in key areas that coincide with state goals and priorities. The Commission will play a major role in developing the statewide supplemental funding strategies to achieve this goal. (Specific recommendation can be found here.)
Strategic Course: Considering all of the above, the recommended strategic course to make New Jersey higher education competitive with the best in the world can be summed up as follows:
Original Recommendation: The Commission should examine the need for establishment, expansion, closure, or consolidation of institutions and study the size and structure of the New Jersey higher education system and its capacity to meet the needs of the state.
State Response: The Commission reported to the Governor and Legislature in April 1998 regarding the capacity of the system and its ability to meet the needs of the state. The Commission determined that New Jersey's system of public and independent colleges and universities efficiently provides broad access to higher education. While it is not necessary to establish, close, or consolidate institutions, there are areas of unmet need in several regions of the state. Specifically, the northwest, southeast, and coastal regions of New Jersey have low access to degree programs and are projected to experience growth in college age population over the next several years.
Data from the National Center for Educational Statistics indicate that the number of high school graduates may increase by as many as 15,000 by 2008, bringing the total number of annual graduates to approximately 87,000. Assuming that current patterns regarding higher education attendance continue into the future, roughly 76% of those additional graduates, or 11,400 additional students, might enroll in college after graduation, with about 7,000 of those (62 %) remaining in state.
Additionally, the percentage of New Jersey jobs that require some form of higher education is expected to increase, and the desire for lifelong learning opportunities to enhance job skills and provide ongoing intellectual stimulation continues to grow. As a result, enrollments are likely to increase among both traditional and nontraditional students.
There are also higher education capacity issues that go beyond meeting enrollment demands. New Jersey is fortunate to have formidable human, geographical, commercial, and industrial assets it needs to compete in the new global, knowledge-based economy. Higher education's role in capitalizing on these assets requires institutional capacity to contribute to the generation and application of new knowledge.
Original Recommendation: Based on an audit of major federal, state, and local regulations and laws that may be impediments to institutional flexibility, the Commission on Higher Education should identify changes that can improve institutional innovation and productivity while enhancing quality.
Original Recommendation: Every institution should strive for optimum use of time, facilities, and human resources. Institutional boards of trustees and administrations should continually reevaluate and, where necessary, restructure program offerings, administrative procedures, personnel procedures, and student services in order to enhance the quality of the institution in a cost-effective manner, promote student access and progress, and meet state needs.
State Response: The Commission's capacity study found that a large number of degree and certificate programs had low enrollments, defined as 25 or fewer students at the undergraduate level and 10 or fewer students at the graduate level. In an effort to address this, the state's performance funding initiative rewards institutions that meet or move toward related benchmarks.
Institutional Response: A survey of institutions completed by the Commission in August 1998 indicates that many New Jersey colleges and universities reevaluate their program offerings, administrative procedures, personnel procedures, and student services on a regular basis. Slightly less than half of the institutions evaluate program offerings at least annually and slightly more than half do so every three to five years. Roughly half evaluate administrative and personnel procedures at least annually and another one-fourth do so every three to five years. Three-fourths of the institutions evaluate student services at least once a year.
Original Recommendation: Future funding and policy decisions regarding the TAG program should be informed by a task force that studied the overall funding structure of TAG, including award levels, the feasibility of extending TAG to part-time students, and the overall level of funding required for the program.
State Response: The task force recognized New Jersey's substantial commitment to need-based student aid and recommended that it maintain that commitment in order to preserve access and affordability. The task force concluded that the current structure of TAG serves well in meeting that commitment. It recommended exploring TAG for part-time students while stressing the need for additional funding to ensure that full-time student TAG awards are not affected by the new program. The Commission on Higher Education and Presidents' Council both included part-time TAG in their budget policy recommendations for the 1999 and 2000 fiscal years. The Student Assistance Board also supported the concept of part-time TAG, although it did not recommend funding for FY 2000. (An additional recommendation related to student assistance appears on page 26.)
Original Recommendation: In striving for a seamless transition from associate to baccalaureate degree programs, the Presidents' Council should make recommendations to enhance articulation and transfer agreements and eliminate disincentives.
State Response: The Presidents' Council adopted transfer and articulation principles stipulating that all New Jersey college students who complete an associate degree and meet the established institutional requirements used to allow native students to achieve junior status shall not be denied transfer to a New Jersey senior college or university, unless there is insufficient capacity. So far, 40 institutions have formally adopted the principles. The Presidents' Council and the Commission on Higher Education also recommended that the state provide funding for the development and implementation costs of a computerized articulation system called ARTSYS, which enables students to determine which courses will transfer for credit and enables colleges to review transcripts electronically.
Original Recommendations: Colleges and universities should ensure that required courses are available for students to complete degrees in a timely manner, that students are accurately counseled regarding degree requirements, and that there are opportunities for students to acquire credits for graduation by examination.
Institutions should review degree requirements and courses for redundancies in an effort to shorten time to degree.
State Response: The Governor's performance funding initiative rewards public institutions for achieving or moving toward an established benchmark for time to completion of degrees.
Institutional Response: Nearly all of the institutions responding to the survey indicate that they review course availability at least annually to ensure that the required courses are available for students to graduate within the "catalog time" for each degree program. Over 90 percent have taken steps to improve the accuracy and thoroughness of counseling regarding program requirements, and over two-thirds inform students of opportunities to acquire credits by examination.
Over three-fourths of the institutions responding have reviewed courses and degree requirements to eliminate redundancies.
Original Recommendation: Colleges and universities should increase opportunities for high school students to take college-level courses and to acquire college credit, and students should be encouraged to do so. The potential of technology for delivering courses to high school students should be aggressively explored.
State Response: The Commission surveyed New Jersey college and university presidents in December 1996 requesting information on the availability of courses to high school students. The survey indicated that many institutions are already responding to this recommendation, albeit on a limited scale. Many report expanding their use of interactive television to reach more high schools and more students. In an effort to promote more systemic collaboration between high schools and colleges and expand opportunities for high school students to pursue college-level studies, the State Department of Education included in a comprehensive reform proposal a requirement that local boards of education develop articulation agreements with New Jersey colleges and universities to facilitate dual credit arrangements. The State Board of Education began discussion of the proposed regulations in May 1999, and adoption is scheduled for early in the year 2000.
Foundations for an Educated Populace: K-12 Education
Original Recommendation: Collaboration between the K-12 and higher education communities should be enhanced. The Commission on Higher Education should work with the Department of Education, and higher education institutions should work with K-12 districts/schools, to focus on raising expectations and student achievement and to ensure simultaneous renewal of teacher training programs, professional development, curricula, and instructional practices. Early childhood and parenting education also should be a priority for collaborative efforts.
State Response: The Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education developed a joint report and recommendations regarding community college and county vocational school collaboration; all counties have implemented the recommendations. A joint task force was formed in July 1998 to study the issue of high school to college transition; it is expected to make final recommendations by July 1999.
Institutional Response: Colleges and universities continue to have numerous linkages with K-12 schools, many of which are focused on key areas such as student achievement and teacher preparation and professional development. In addition, 15 institutions participate in the statewide College Bound Grant Program, which provides precollege educational enrichment activities to over 2,400 students in grades 6-12.
Original Recommendation: Higher education institutions should continue to make reform of teacher education and professional development a priority.
State Response: The State Board of Education established professional development requirements under which each licensed New Jersey teacher must complete 100 clock hours of state-approved continuing professional development and/or inservice programs every five years. Colleges and universities are expected to play a significant role in providing the required professional development activities. A Professional Standards Board that will help to ensure the quality and relevance of the required continuing education experiences includes higher education representatives. In addition, Commission staff will assist the Department of Education in the development of new regulations regarding teacher education programs and licensure and will work with department staff on three proposed programs focused on teacher quality.
Original Recommendation: Colleges and universities and their boards of trustees should improve undergraduate education by preparing students broadly for life's challenges.
Institutional Response: The 1998 survey found that institutions commonly gather information on student preparedness to determine their effectiveness in readying students for the personal and professional challenges they will face after graduation. Ability to communicate is the most widely monitored, followed by ability to think critically and ability to use technology effectively. Most institutions also gather information regarding the preparedness of undergraduates to understand various perspectives and to act independently.
Original Recommendation: Institutions should continue research and scholarship on teaching and learning to enhance undergraduate programs and increase sound practices.
Institutional Response: Every institution that responded to the survey provides at least one form of support to help increase research and scholarship on teaching and learning to enhance undergraduate programs and increase sound practices. Practices include faculty release time, funds for conference/seminar travel, support for pursuit of outside grants, faculty learning centers, and joint research projects with undergraduate students.
Original Recommendation: Each institutional board of trustees should examine the undergraduate advising process to address students' developmental needs, providing opportunities for out-of-class contact between students and faculty and personalized guidance for negotiating a new and complex culture, achieving self-understanding, and planning one's future course of action.
Institutional Response: According to the survey, nearly all institutions provide counseling and advisement services to address all or most of these needs. Over 90 percent offer counseling for students' developmental needs, as well as guidance to help students achieve self-understanding and plan their futures. Over three-fourths of the institutions provide formal opportunities for out-of-class contact with faculty and personalized guidance to help students adjust to college and negotiate the college culture.
Original Recommendation: New postbaccalaureate offerings, particularly doctoral and first-professional degree programs, should be undertaken only after careful consideration by boards of trustees (and the Presidents' Council and Commission where appropriate) of the resources required to ensure high quality, and only when a demonstrated need exists. Before adding graduate degrees, institutions should examine opportunities for collaboration/cooperation.
Institutional Response: According to the 1998 survey, 77 new postbaccalaureate programs were established by senior public and independent institutions between the spring of 1996 and the spring of 1998 (after consideration by the appropriate entities). Of these, institutions report that about one-quarter were established collaboratively with one or more other institutions. Institutions cited a variety of impediments to establishing collaborative programs including differing institutional missions and cultures, different curriculum requirements, student desire for geographic proximity, and the differences between public and private college tuition.
Original Recommendation: Institutional boards of trustees should develop a system of reward that is consistent with a broad understanding of scholarship. This includes the integration, application, and teaching of knowledge as well as a broad array of faculty research activities including publication on the Internet as well as in traditional scholarly journals, and other forms of intellectual capital development such as patented inventions and processes and artistic works and performances.
Institutional Response: The majority of institutions report that their faculty reward systems promote teaching as a scholarly enterprise. Over 80 percent formally recognize the teaching and integration of knowledge in their faculty reward systems. Close to half formally recognize the application of knowledge by having students test research findings.
New Jersey's vision for higher education recognizes that highly qualified faculty are a requisite for excellence in colleges and universities. Key stakeholders, ranging from students to corporate and government leaders, confirm that fact. Achieving that requisite for excellence calls for institutional attention to three areas: faculty development, faculty recruitment, and preparation of the next generation of faculty.
Original Recommendation: Recognizing the importance of lifelong learning and continuous training and retraining throughout one's career, institutions and the state should emphasize flexible scheduling of classes and student services, as well as opportunities for distance learning at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
State Response: In January 1999 Governor Whitman announced the creation of the New Jersey Virtual University to provide convenient access to information about distance learning opportunities offered by New Jersey colleges and universities. The initiative will also support faculty training and course conversion to increase the quality and number of programs and courses offered through technology-mediated instruction.
Institutional Response: Over half of the institutions responding to the 1998 survey indicate that they have enhanced the availability of evening and weekend classes and services, and over 90 percent now offer this sort of flexible scheduling. In addition, two-thirds reported increasing the availability of alternative instructional delivery modes such as distance education, and nearly all offer such options to students. There are currently over 800 distance learning courses and programs at 42 New Jersey colleges and universities, and four additional institutions plan to join the virtual university in the near future. The number of offerings will continue to expand in the future.
Original Recommendation: To better meet the state's needs for entry-level workers, higher education institutions should increase their focus on the skills and personal qualities most valued by employers and should enhance opportunities for experience-based learning such as internships.
Institutional Response: Over 90 percent of the institutions responding to the survey indicate that they offer experience-based learning opportunities, and half of them indicate that they have enhanced these opportunities in the two years preceding the survey.
Original Recommendation: The Commission on Higher Education and institutions should provide more information to employers about how higher education can address their needs and should seek opportunities for employers to assist faculty in designing programs and curricula that are responsive to their needs. Additionally, institutions should explore whether employers need student information beyond the college transcript.
State Response: In an effort to improve connections and communications with employers, the Commission and Presidents' Council, in conjunction with the state Chamber of Commerce and NJ Business and Industry Association, sponsored a seminar in October 1997 highlighting linkages between business and higher education. In addition, the Commission on Higher Education worked with Prosperity New Jersey and the Commission on Commerce and Economic Development to develop the online Business Resource Center that makes a comprehensive database available to current and potential New Jersey employers, including detailed information about available higher education opportunities in the state and the number of graduates in key fields.
Institutional Response: Over one-third of the institutions responding to the survey have received formal input from employers regarding their need for more information about students and course content that they receive from a transcript.
Original Recommendations: Institutional boards of trustees should evaluate current and proposed degree and certificate programs, including graduate and professional degree programs, in relation to projected labor demands and regional needs. Programs should be phased out when appropriate, and new programs should be established only when program quality and student demand or the need for graduates are demonstrated.
Institutional Response: All institutions report that they evaluate their program offerings on a regular basis. Almost half of those responding to the survey indicate that they do so annually, and the rest do so within a two- to five-year time frame.
Original Recommendations: The Commission should regularly review and report on state and national information on occupational demand and supply to inform long-range planning.
Institutions that deliver workforce preparation should ensure that courses meet employer needs. As new processes and technologies are adopted by New Jersey businesses, institutions should develop courses to train technicians to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain the new technologies.
State Response: The Commission's 1998 report on higher education capacity examined occupational supply and demand. It identified computer science as the sole area where the number of degrees granted statewide is currently insufficient to meet projected demands in related occupational fields. A review of more recent data shows a significant increase in the number of baccalaureate computer science degrees since the original 1996 assessment, while newer labor demand projections indicate that the need for computer engineers and systems analysts will continue to accelerate in the future.
The Commission and individual colleges and universities are also planning for the projected need for additional school teachers to replace the significant number of teachers expected to retire over the next five to ten years, to meet the projected increase in the number of school-aged children, and to meet the need for certified preschool teachers to implement the Supreme Court mandate for programs for three- and four-year-old children in low wealth communities.
Institutional Response: Over 85 percent of the institutions responding to the survey indicate that they receive formal input from employers regarding the need for new types of training to prepare for changing technologies. Over 75 percent have developed courses to meet employers needs for technicians, and several others plan to develop such programs or courses in the future.
Original Recommendation: The Commission and Presidents' Council should establish a committee to recommend an incentive funding program that focuses on improved graduation and transfer rates for low-income or minority students.
State Response: In response to recommendations made by the committee and adopted by the Commission, the FY 98 budget included $1 million for incentive grants for institutions to improve transfer and graduation rates for minority or low-income students. The Commission on Higher Education awarded 10 incentive grants in July 1997. A comprehensive evaluation of the grant program is underway.In addition, the Governor's performance funding initiative increases the focus on student outcomes by rewarding public institutions that achieve or move toward the graduation and transfer benchmarks established for each sector.
Original Recommendations: The EOF Board of Directors should develop a clearly articulated mission statement and a five-year strategic plan.
Each participating college and university, within its distinct mission, should embrace and enhance the EOF program as an integral part of the institution, providing sufficient institutional resources to complement state funds.
The Commission should establish stronger linkages between EOF and federal and state-funded precollege efforts such as Upward Bound and College Bound.
State Response: In response to these recommendations, the EOF Board of Directors undertook a long-range planning process that culminated in the adoption of a report, Opportunity For a New Millennium, that articulates the vision, mission, strategic goals, and accountability recommendations for EOF.
The Commission and EOF staff coordinated the development of a federal GEAR UP grant (building on several existing College Bound programs) to support additional efforts to heighten low-income students' awareness of and preparation for college.
Institutional Response: Collectively, the resources allocated to EOF by the 41 participating institutions exceed the required match of state funds.
Original Recommendations: Institutions should consider the growing language minority student population, and successful approaches to assessment and instruction should be shared and replicated as appropriate.
The Commission on Higher Education should work closely with the Council on the Education of Language Minority Students (CELMS) to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to state higher education policy for language minority student programs that will efficiently and effectively meet the needs of the ESL student population.
State Response: The Commission implemented a number of recommendations stemming from an evaluation of the Education of Language Minority (ELMS) grant program in fall 1997 including a restructuring of the CELMS, development of a new request for proposal for two-year institutional grants, and a conference to increase ESL instructors' awareness of best practices.
Original Recommendation: The Commission on Higher Education in partnership with the State Employment and Training Commission (SETC) should make recommendations to improve the coordination of literacy training.
State Response: Based on recommendations adopted by the Commission and SETC, legislation establishing a State Council for Adult Literacy Education Services within the SETC was signed into law in May 1999. The council will be charged with development of a coordinated statewide master plan for adult literacy education.
Research Funding
Original Recommendations: The state should provide "matching grants" outside of the regular higher education funding structure to meet the requirements for external funding sources for research universities to compete for federal research grants and contracts. Research universities should seek greater support for research from the private sector.
State Response: The Commission on Higher Education sought the introduction of legislation to provide matching state funds for six public and independent research universities; the Commission continues to support this initiative, although the recommended legislation has not been introduced.
Institutional Response: The public research universities reported in the 1998 survey that they had increased external support for research during the two preceding years.
Original Recommendation: Urban revitalization should be a priority for higher education, and state incentive funding should be provided to encourage increased collaboration among institutions and private enterprise for this purpose.
State Response: The Commission's recommendation for urban revitalization incentive planning grants were funded in FY 1999; all eight eligible locales received at least one planning grant. Plans for implementation funding are under development in collaboration with the state's Urban Coordinating Council.
Original Recommendation: Recognizing the increasing diversity of New Jersey's population, institutions should strengthen programs and initiatives that enhance recruitment, retention, and advancement of minority students, faculty, staff, and administrators, thereby fostering diversity on campus.
State Response: Both the Commission on Higher Education and the Presidents' Council have, through resolutions, publicly affirmed their belief that diversity is a strength of the state's higher education system and should be cultivated. The national climate regarding affirmative action has changed as recent court decisions and initiatives elsewhere have overturned the longstanding practice of using race and ethnicity as a factor in admissions decisions. In New Jersey, admissions policies are determined by each individual college and university, and there have been no legal challenges to institutional practices in this regard.
While admissions and faculty decisions are largely institutional responsibilities, the Commission has a strong commitment to statewide programs that enhance the recruitment, retention, and advancement of minority students, faculty, staff, and administrators including the EOF programs, the Minority Academic Careers program, the College Bound program, and the Education of Language Minority Students grant program.
Institutional Response: Roughly 90 percent of the institutions responding to the 1998 survey have formal programs for the recruitment, retention, and graduation of minority students; about half of them indicate that such programs have been enhanced during the past two years. Over 85 percent also have formal programs on campus for hiring and advancement of minority faculty, staff, and administrators; half of them have enhanced such programs over the past two years.
Original Recommendation: Campus administrators, faculty members, and boards of trustees should provide strong leadership, both on campus and in the larger community, in an effort to foster a spirit of civility and respect between genders and among religious, racial, ethnic, and language groups. Institutions should stress knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures as a value and offer academic programs and student services that invite students (at all levels) onto their campuses to celebrate the richness of various cultures.
Institutional Response: Over 90 percent of the institutions responding to the survey indicate that they have formal programs to enhance knowledge of diverse cultures; well over half indicated that they had enhanced such programs over the past two years. About 90 percent also have formal programs to foster civility among diverse groups, and half of them had enhanced such programs over the past two years.
Original Recommendation: The Presidents' Council should appoint a task force composed of community leaders and college and university faculty and staff to identify specific research, scholarship, and public service efforts that could be undertaken by higher education institutions to make substantial contributions to the societal needs of the state.
Institutions are called on increasingly to devote knowledge and expertise to community problems. Partnerships between institutions and the community have the potential to serve society, as well as the specific college or university involved.
Over the last decade, many higher education institutions have implemented new service learning programs for their students. Service learning programs usually involve students in organized community service to meet societal needs. The most effective programs integrate community service with academic instruction, expanding student skills in critical, reflective thinking and developing an understanding of civic responsibility. These programs have been recognized for the benefits they provide to faculty, students, and the community.
Original Recommendation: As a service to the community and a demonstration of the value of higher education, institutional cultural events and resources should be available to the public when possible.
Institutional Response: About half of the institutions responding to the survey indicate that they make cultural events and resources available to the public most of the time; about a third do so all of the time and a small number do so infrequently or not at all.
Original Recommendation: Higher education institutions should encourage a comprehensive approach to environmental education and provide strong leadership on campus regarding environmental preservation.
Institutional Response: Almost half of the institutions responding to the 1998 survey indicate that they provide environmental education as part of their general education competencies. About one-fourth overall formally encourage a comprehensive approach to environmental education. Over half of the institutions indicate that they provide strong leadership on campus and within the community regarding the protection of natural resources.
Original Recommendation: Selected institutions should develop a special focus on environmental issues, training persons who can help to resolve environmental problems characterized by complex scientific, political, and economic issues.
Institutional Response: One-third of the institutions responding to the survey, representing all sectors of the system, indicate that they train individuals to deal with environmental issues facing the global society.
Original Recommendations: The state should reduce the overall number of medical residents, increase the percent of residency positions filled by U.S. medical graduates, and achieve an appropriate balance between primary and specialty care. Teaching hospitals should reduce reliance on medical residents as low-cost providers and seek other ways to provide cost-effective services.
Institutional Response: Recent data indicate that New Jersey now falls below the national average and below neighboring states in the number of medical residents per 100,000 population. With 57 percent of residency positions in primary care disciplines, the state now has the desired balance between primary and specialty care residencies. The percentage of international medical graduates in New Jersey residencies has been declining each year since 1995, although it does remain far above the national average
Institutions should reexamine and prioritize instructional health care programs and continue coordination with other institutions to ensure that programs are cost-effective and that offerings address the state's health care needs. Preparation of students should emphasize primary care and allied health programs such as nurse practitioner and physician assistant.
Institutional Response: Almost all of the institutions responding to the survey that offer allied health programs indicate that they are coordinated with other institutions to ensure that the programs are cost-effective and that they address New Jersey's health care needs. Over two-thirds of the responding institutions that offer allied health programs indicate that they emphasize primary care health programs.
Original Recommendation: Recognizing the evolving focus on health and wellness promotion, selected institutions should provide cross-disciplinary training in education, social work, and health care to a cadre of persons who can work with traditional providers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.
Institutional Response: While no institutions report developing new cross-disciplinary programs in response to the recommendation, existing baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs in public health emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. The state's health sciences university is expanding its public health programs statewide, coordinating them under the umbrella of a new university-wide School of Public Health.
Original Recommendation: Institutions should enhance efforts to empower young adults to establish healthy lifestyles as responsible and contributing adults in their communities without the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
Institutional Response: About 90 percent of the institutions responding to the 1998 survey offer formal programs to address the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Almost two-thirds offer a formal program to address the misuse of tobacco.
The influx of new residents into New Jersey from different countries and cultures presents challenges to health care professionals striving to meet their needs. In addition, there is evidence that cultural considerations are related to the disparities in health status documented between minority and white residents of New Jersey and the nation as a whole. A growing body of literature documents the importance of ongoing efforts by medical professionals to increase their understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and develop the skills needed to work effectively with diverse populations.
The Funding Partnership for Operating Costs
Original Recommendations: The state must provide adequate and predictable funding for higher education to ensure the quality of its colleges and universities.
For senior public institutions (with the exception of UMDNJ and Thomas Edison State College, which have special funding circumstances), the state should provide two-thirds of educational operating costs, while students and their families provide one-third. At community colleges, the state, the counties, and students and their families should each provide one-third of operating costs. Further, in order to help maintain a strong independent sector that offers both access and choice, the state should continue its commitment to provide funds under the Independent College and University Assistance Act. The funding shares of the respective partners should be reached by increasing state contributions to institutional base budgets over time, while limiting tuition increases. Funding for the independent institutions should increase gradually to the statutory level.
State Response: The state increased funding for the community colleges by $12 million in FY 1999 and pledged similar increases over the next three years in order to assist in balancing the funding partnership for that sector. In response, the colleges pledged to hold tuition level for 1998-99 and to minimize increases in 1999-2000.
For the senior public institutions, the percentage of operating costs funded by the state declined between FY 1995 and FY 1998 (the most recent year for which such data is available), and reliance on tuition and fees increased during the period. While increases in FY 1999 and FY 2000 represent important and positive steps, annual state funding increases beyond required spending levels are necessary to make progress toward the funding partnership for the senior public institutions. Similarly, while aid to independent institutions was increased by $1 million annually in FY 1999 and FY 2000, larger annual increases are necessary to move the independent institutions to the statutory funding level.
Original Recommendation: State support for student assistance programs should be continued for full-time, undergraduate students to maintain affordability, access, and choice, and assistance for part-time students should be explored. Annual state appropriations for the state's primary financial assistance programs, Tuition Aid Grants and the Educational Opportunity Fund program, should recognize annual increases in tuition, required fees, and other costs, and the respective policy boards should strive to contain costs while achieving desired outcomes.
State Response: Although funding for Tuition Aid Grants has increased annually, enabling the state to increase both the number of students receiving TAG awards and the amount of each grant, these increases have not been sufficient to cover annual tuition increases. The Commission on Higher Education and Presidents' Council both recommended providing new funding for part-time TAG in their budget policy statements for the 1999 and 2000 fiscal years. The former Student Assistance Board also supported the concept of part-time TAG, although it did not recommend funding for FY 2000. Legislation to extend TAG to part-time students was introduced. Educational Opportunity Fund student grants have not increased since FY 1996.
Original Recommendation: The state should implement the Commission on Higher Education's recommendations for a five-year facility renewal program for the senior public institutions and an increase in the state bond authorization level for the community college Chapter 12 program.
The Commission's recent report on college and university facilities estimates a need for $3.2 billion over the next seven years. New construction needs total over $2 billion, comprising at least 60 percent of the need in each sector. Deferred maintenance, which includes postponed renewal and replacement projects as well as unscheduled major maintenance, represents 18.5 percent of total capital needs ($581 million dollars). The level of facility needs varies by sector and individual institution.
All New Jersey higher education institutions share a systemwide mission, while there is mission differentiation among the various types of institutions. Select institutional missions in New Jersey are defined by the college or university board of trustees within the framework of the various missions summarized below.
It is the systemwide mission of all colleges and universities in New Jersey to cultivate, nurture, and disseminate knowledge. This charge includes the development of human intellectual resources, the extension and application of knowledge beyond campus boundaries, and the utilization of knowledge in the service of New Jersey's citizens and their economy. All institutions of higher education promote the public interest by collectively providing a system that empowers students, regardless of background, age, or socioeconomic status, to participate in the quest for knowledge and intellectual growth.Research University Mission
Research universities may offer academic programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as programs leading to advanced or post-baccalaureate professional degrees. The defining characteristic of the research university is the Ph.D. degree. The criteria for promotion and tenure at research universities place relatively heavier emphasis on a faculty member's record of research, including publications in refereed journals and published books as well as other forms of intellectual capital such as patented inventions. Its faculty generates a relatively higher level of federal research funding. Its faculty members tend to integrate what they have learned from their own research into the material presented in undergraduate courses, and they routinely expect each graduate student to initiate or participate in a substantial research program. The state's designated land grant institution is Rutgers University.Comprehensive College and University Mission
These institutions may offer programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's level, except where limited by an institution's designated programmatic mission. Some of these comprehensive institutions may also be authorized to offer selected professional doctoral degrees. The criteria for promotion and tenure at comprehensive colleges and universities place relatively heavier emphasis on a faculty member's record of excellence in teaching. The faculty at these institutions are engaged primarily in applied research, although some do conduct traditional research.Pre-baccalaureate Institution Mission
Institutions in this category award only the associate's degree and certificates unless granted permission to exceed their mission to grant the baccalaureate degree. The pre-baccalaureate institutions provide students with the opportunity to obtain the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A) degrees or specialized academic diplomas or certificates. The A.A. and A.S. programs are transfer-oriented; the A.A.S. programs generally emphasize career preparation. Through their credit and non-credit offerings, these institutions play a major role in workforce development.Specialized Institution Mission
Some institutions are authorized to offer certificates and degrees at specified levels in specialized fields such as Rabbinic and Talmudic Studies and Theological Studies.
Original Recommendation: In order to utilize limited state funding most effectively, expansion of institutional missions beyond their current scope should be considered only in the context of demonstrated statewide needs, as well as program and institutional quality. Institutions should offer new programs based on demonstrated need, and they should eliminate mediocre programs or programs of low priority as a means of internally reallocating resources to programs of high quality and priority. Expansion of programs should not erode the quality of ongoing programs.
State Response: The Presidents' Council's new program review process requires institutions to justify need by assessing both labor market and student demand. The Commission on Higher Education, which has approved one mission expansion and 11 programs that exceed institutional mission, considers statewide needs, as well as program quality, in weighing such requests.
Institutional Response: Between July 1994 and July 1998, the 49 public and independent institutions subject to state program review implemented 192 new programs. During that same time period, a total of 288 degree programs were reported as discontinued. While the viability of most of the latter programs had diminished over many years, they were not officially eliminated until the Commission undertook a comprehensive review of program offerings in 1998.
While the program review process has been working effectively to allow institutions to meet program demand more expeditiously, concerns regarding the statewide coordination of academic programming and mission expansion were identified in a 1998 survey and at the January 1999 Restructuring Assessment Conference as an area in need of improvement.
Given natural limitations on available resources coupled with the desire to enhance quality, it is essential to carefully examine the issues of programmatic mission differentiation and reallocation of resources from low priority programs. This challenge, particularly in an environment of increased institutional autonomy, requires greater discipline by institutions as well as the Commission and Presidents' Council. Institutions are more likely to achieve greatness if they focus on their areas of strength and build on them to achieve excellence and broad recognition, while maintaining the quality of all viable programs. Enhancement of renowned programs in various fields within New Jersey colleges and universities is also likely to decrease the state's high outmigration rate and increase the number of high-achieving students from other states who choose New Jersey institutions. While information from students and their parents indicates many reasons why students choose to attend particular colleges out of state, a frequently repeated theme is the desire to attend a college that is well known for the quality of its program in a particular area.
Original Recommendation: Institutions of different types and from different sectors and locations should be alert to opportunities for partnerships, resource sharing, and coordination in program development and delivery.
Institutional Response: Colleges and universities in all sectors report that they are engaged in numerous collaborative efforts with other institutions and with K-12 schools for program delivery, resource sharing, research, and public service initiatives.
Original Recommendations: As part of their continual effort to strive for excellence, effectiveness, and efficiency, institutions should increase their use of performance indicators as measures of progress toward institutionally defined goals, consistent with their mission as well as state needs. These goals should be related to benchmarks defined as the best outcomes of similar institutions both within and outside of the state.
Enhanced cost accounting and outcome data should be included in annual accountability reports and should inform statewide planning and budget decisions.
State Response: The Commission's annual systemwide accountability reports for 1997 and 1998 provided extensive cost and outcome data that help to inform statewide planning and budget decisions, and future reports will strive to analyze the complex link between institutional expenditures and higher education outcomes. In addition, the Governor's performance funding initiative enhances accountability for public institutions by tying funding (one percent of operating aid) to institutional performance in four key areas: graduation, transfer/articulation, institutional efficiency, and diversification of institutional revenues. Funding is provided based on each individual institution's progress in achieving or maintaining established benchmarks.
Original Recommendations: The Commission on Higher Education should make recommendations regarding higher education technology infrastructure, distance learning, funding for recurring technology costs, and other related issues. The Presidents' Council should develop a plan for regional centers for the higher-order preparation of faculty in the use of technology.
State Response: Based upon the Commission's recommendations, the state created a $55 million Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Fund. As of March 1999, the Commission had approved proposals valued at over $41 million from 41 of the 45 eligible institutions. The technology infrastructure fund is also supporting the Virtual Academic Library Environment (VALE), which gives institutions access to sophisticated databases, and the creation of a telecommunications network backbone linking the 45 eligible institutions. The New Jersey Virtual University, an online index that provides a central source of information about over 800 distance learning courses and programs at 42 New Jersey colleges and universities, was established in January 1999. The Governor has proposed, as part of the initiative, $500,000 for faculty development activities that will enhance instructional design and maximize the potential of technology to enrich the academic experience. This funding will also enable institutions to acquire the tools and expertise needed to develop and deliver interactive courses over the Internet.
Original Recommendation: The Commission on Higher Education and the Presidents' Council should develop a coordinated advocacy plan that communicates higher education's contributions to the state, demonstrating the benefits of long-term investments in higher education. The advocacy plan should include the development of a higher education coalition inclusive of the various supporters of higher education to assist in implementation of the plan.
State Response: New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education included over 50 recommendations. As a result of advocacy efforts, many of those recommendations have been fully or partially implemented in the two and one-half years since the adoption of the plan. State government and the higher education community collaborated to address several issues, including some of the essential conditions for achieving the vision. Individual colleges and universities have also made strides in implementing recommendations related specifically to their operations and programs.
All of the plan's recommendations are designed to realize the ideals identified in the higher education vision and characteristics of excellence. Continued diligence in implementing those recommendations is important. Equally important, however, is the general and ongoing need to better communicate higher education's fundamental value to society and the economic well being of the state. Increased awareness of that value will develop the broader constituency and support necessary to maintain a high-quality higher education system for the future.
If New Jersey wishes to be considered among the best in the world in regard to higher education institutions, statewide strategies must be developed and implemented which support institutional excellence.
The statutorily required five-year assessment of higher education restructuring found that New Jersey's tripartite governance structure is working well, and has spurred institutional autonomy, collaboration, and innovation within a coordinated higher education system. Trustees play a key role in overseeing institutional matters and fulfilling the mission of each college and university; they also must strive to meet statewide goals in cooperation with other institutions and entities.
|commission: home page | what's new? | the commission | news releases | reports | eof and grant programs | more nj higher ed info | search
|statewide: njhome | my new jersey | people | business | government | departments | search
� State of New Jersey, 1996-2002
Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
Last Updated: June 1999


text:
At the Internet Storm Center, we feature a poll on our home page. As part of the poll, you will find a comment field. Sadly, this comment field is frequently abused for spam. Not that it does any good. The spam is easily filtered and all comments have to be approved anyway. But just today, we had a large number of hosts trying to post spam at a rate of several posts a minute. The timing suggests that all these hosts are part of a single bot net. The "attack" is ongoing as I type this.
Here is a captured full sample request (note that the upper case header names are an artifact of the collection)
POST /poll.html HTTP/1.1
HOST: isc.sans.org
ACCEPT: text/html,application/xhtml+xml,application/xml;q=0.9,*/*;q=0.8
REFERER: http://isc.sans.org/
USER-AGENT: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)
COOKIE: dshield=a56291441771f2d3d948a383fe774889e2d2f018
COOKIE2: $Version="1"
VIA: 1.1 hebergement.gratisim.fr
CONNECTION: Keep-Alive
Post Data:
poll: 1
poll_comment: qYAV4f vjrimatpckvt, [url=http://zdzyzolzspzd.com/]zdzyzolzspzd[/url], [link=http://zloyarufkbun.com/]zloyarufkbun[/link], http://mlsorofkvzxa.com/
subject: NBxnTAriuXTkDjGJ
There are a couple of odd and interesting attributes to this request:
- The "ACCEPT" header looks very real. Many scripts and bot do not spoof it that well
- The request uses a correct "Referer" header.
- The User-Agent looks real too, but a bit "short". A windows XP host without .Net and anything else?
- The cookie is in particular interesting. A different session cookie is used for each request. But oddly, the (local) Google Analytics cookies are missing.
- Not sure what the Cookie2 is supposed to do... Maybe identifying the bot?
- the "Via:" header is only present in some of the requests, and probably incidental. Some of the infected systems appear to be housed behind a proxy server.
Finally, the content: The domains "advertised" do not appear to be exist. This may be a trial to figure out if these URLs are posted to the site or not. Note that the attack uses 4 different link styles:
- Standard HTML Link x
- BBCode [url link
- BBCode [link link
- "naked" URL
Given that these URLs don't exist (and they change from request to request), I think this is just a test run.
If anybody knows what the Cookie2 header is supposed to do... please comment below or let me know directly.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mayor's Office
Motorists are urged to avoid the Big "X" intersection of Salt Valley Roadway and Antelope Valley Parkway near the Devaney Center. Two lanes are closed after a mid-morning accident damaged a traffic signal at that intersection. North of the intersection, the southbound lane on the west side is closed. West of the intersection, the westbound lane on the north side is closed. A temporary stop sign has been posted for westbound traffic, and lights are flashing red in the other directions.
A dump truck with its box up was headed west on Salt Valley Roadway, and the box hit the signal arm just past the intersection. The arm swung around and hit a street light pole, sending debris onto the railroad tracks below.
The driver of the truck left the scene. Railroad workers wrote down his license plate number, and Lincoln Police apprehended him at the former State Fair Park. He was cited for negligent driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
By early afternoon, the railroad tracks had been cleared, and the street light pole was being replaced. The City's electrical contractor will replace the mast arm and traffic lights, and work is expected to be completed by 4 p.m..


text:
Student Health ServicesStudent Health Services in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District are organized and developed in accordance with the School Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The school physicians assist the school nurses and the Director of Individualized Student Services in planning, coordinating, and evaluating the health services in the T/E School District.
The overall purpose of school health services is to help all children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally so that they may mature and achieve their full potential. Optimal health is essential for maximum utilization of educational opportunities and should occupy a prominent place within the broad objectives of education.


text: Finally making her triumphant return after a four year (and four years too long!) hiatus is the one and only Nadia Styles, one of porn's freakiest and most fuckable babes. With her olive skin and long, luscious legs, Nadia is a sexy slut like no other, whose videos are only made all the more exciting by her seemingly endless appetite for cock. With a back catalog of more than 250 videos to her name, Nadia has returned to the industry eager to create her best videos yet, and get some good dick doing it! Getting her start after answering an ad in LA Weekly, Nadia went on to get three prestigious AVN Award nominations, including one for Most Outrageous Sex Scene, which should tell you something about this kinky babe's style! So make sure to help us welcome this busty beauty back by checking out her smoking hot videos right here at Brazzers!


text:
Golf Rules and Etiquette For Dummies
192 pages
March 2001
US $12.99 Add to Cart
This is a Print-on-Demand title. It will be printed specifically to fill your order. Please allow an additional 2-3 days delivery time. The book is not returnable.
Table of Contents
Author Information
How to stick to the rules -- and avoid the traps of the game
Filled with tips and anecdotes from the pros plus the 34 rules of golf, this ideal companion to the top-selling Golf For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes:
- Expert advice on the do's and don'ts of golf etiquette -- from dress code to betting on the game
- Advice on how to survive a business golf outing -- plus tips on behavior as both a spectator and a player
- The inside scoop on proper etiquette, from replacing divots to using your cell phone


text:
Today, April 1, Gmail hits the double digits. Over the last 10 years, you—our users—have been our biggest inspiration. You've sent us ideas for features you want, and told us what you like (and didn't like…). So while it may be our birthday, we want to say thank you to you with a gift that is, well, all about you.
When custom themes launched back in 2012, we urged you to find "your perfect image and make Gmail your own." And you did. Many of you rushed to take photos of yourselves to upload as your Gmail custom theme, which you started referring to as selfies.
As you undoubtedly recall, this term quickly spread beyond email themes and has permeated our culture so thoroughly that the Oxford Dictionaries named it Word of the Year in 2013.
You all love setting selfies as your custom theme in Gmail, but you've told us there's one major problem: there isn't a way to share your selfie with others. As the pioneering platform for selfies, Gmail is committed to being at the forefront of innovation in the selfie space. And we think it's a tragedy that your handsome hair, luscious lashes and beautiful brows have been trapped in your own inbox. Until now, that is. Today, we're proud to free your selfies by launching Gmail Shelfie, the SHareable sELFIE.
Gmail Shelfie is built on the idea that you shouldn't be selfish with your selfie. With just a few clicks, your mom, your aunt, or that girl you have a crush on can set your Shelfie as their Gmail theme so they can enjoy checking, reading, and writing emails while seeing your friendly face in the background.
Got an awesome selfie? Upgrade it to a Shelfie! Simply open or refresh Gmail on the desktop and share it with your friends. (Gmail Shelfie is rolling out over the next few hours.) If you're looking for inspiration, set your theme to Gmail's top trending Shelfies. You can also see who's currently trending on our Google+ page.
Spoiler alert: Word of the Year 2014 will be Shelfie… clearly.


text:
Lisbeth Zornig Andersen
Lisbeth Zornig Andersen is author of the biographical Zornig – Anger is my Middle Name, a bestseller in Denmark. She is the host of an award-winning radio program 'Zornig's Zone' on Radio 24syv. In 2015 she published The Social Commando Soldiers. She is also the founder of the Huset Zornig, president of the think tank Social Innovations Forum, former Chairman of the National Council for Children, and former CEO of Specialisterne.


text:
Found 13 resultsAuthor [ Title] Type Year
Filters: Author is Thornton, P. E. [Clear All Filters]
Use of FLUXNET in the Community Land Model development. Journal of Geophysical Research. 113(G1). 2008.
The role of phosphorus dynamics in tropical forests – a modeling study using CLM-CNP. Biogeosciences. 11(6):1667-1681.. 2014.
Representing northern peatland microtopography and hydrology within the Community Land Model. Biogeosciences. 12(21):6463-6477.. 2015.
Representing northern peatland microtopography and hydrology within the Community Land Model. Biogeosciences Discussions. 12(4):3381-3418.. 2015.
Photoperiodic regulation of the seasonal pattern of photosynthetic capacity and the implications for carbon cycling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 109(22):8612-8617.. 2012.
The integrated Earth system model version 1: formulation and functionality. Geoscientific Model Development. 8(7):2203-2219.. 2015.
Improvements to the Community Land Model and their impact on the hydrological cycle. Journal of Geophysical Research. 113(G1). 2008.
Hydroclimatic Controls on the Means and Variability of Vegetation Phenology and Carbon Uptake. Journal of Climate. 27(14):5632-5652.. 2014.
Global sensitivity analysis, probabilistic calibration, and predictive assessment for the data assimilation linked ecosystem carbon model. Geoscientific Model Development. 8(7):1899-1918.. 2015.
Evaluation and improvement of the Community Land Model (CLM 4.0) in Oregon forests. Biogeosciences Discussions. 9:12757.. 2012.
Evaluating the Community Land Model in a pine stand with 13CO2 labeling and shading manipulations. Biogeosciences Discussions. 12(9):6971-7015.. 2015.
Evaluating the Community Land Model in a pine stand with shading manipulations and 13CO2 labeling. Biogeosciences. 13(3):641-657.. 2016.
The distribution of soil phosphorus for global biogeochemical modeling. Biogeosciences Discussions. 9(11):16347-16380.. 2012.


text:
The Society of Mississippi Archivists celebrates the important work of preserving the cultural heritage of Mississippi. Our aim is to serve as a point of information for everyone interested in the rich documentary history of our state.
Visitors to this page will find the latest information regarding meetings, events, programs and other activities.


text:
Before the advent of powered flight, it was said if God intended men to fly he'd have given them wings. As this clip proves, a Toyota Hiace on a Motocross track does little to disprove the axiom.
(Apparently early-onset Alzheimers has wiped my memory of the previously posted Buick jump, so instead of boring you with a re-run, I've dug up a new Hoon of the Day... I hope)


text:
We search the globe for the best coffee and roast it to perfection.
From consistent blends to exciting varietals, we've got the coffee for you. But coffee isn't our only specialty - we offer equipment, installation and repair services, 7 days a week.
So you can keep slinging that espresso without a worry.
About DALLIS BROs. COFFEE
Find out about our organization, mission,
our specialties & superior services.


text:
Greenwich beats Bassick, ends regular season 18-2
Championship banners from nearly every sport grace the walls of Greenwich High School's gymnasium. Yet a banner recognizing a Cardinals boys basketball title is still missing.
Greenwich entered this season hoping to change that and after a successful 20-game regular season, it's right on course to do so.
A 65-57 Senior Night triumph against upset-minded Bassick extended the Cardinals' winning streak to four games and capped an impressive 18-2 regular season. Now Greenwich is primed for its second season, which begins when the FCIAC Tournament commences Saturday.
Earning the No. 2 seed, the Cardinals will host seventh-seeded Wilton in Saturday's 2 p.m. quarterfinals.
"If you would have told me before the season we would be 18-2 at this point of the season I would have taken it and ran with it," GHS coach Bill Brehm said. "We knew going into the season if we worked hard we could be a team to be reckoned with."
The Cardinals enter the tournament in fine form, after fending off a hustling Bassick team before a large, spirited crowd at GHS. Giving away plenty of size, the Lions had no answer for Greenwich's 6-foot-9 senior center Alex Wolf, who scored a team-high 24 points. Senior guard CJ Byrd was also a tough matchup for Bassick, which played a man-to-man and 2-3 zone. The dynamic Byrd finished with 20 points for the home team, which held Bassick to just five third-quarter points.
The Lions received 19 points from junior guard Kobe Ancrum and 14 from forward Carl Brown. The loss dashed Bassick's chances of making both the FCIAC and state tournament. Bassick trailed just 31-29 at halftime, but was outscored 13-5 during the decisive third quarter.
"The last two third quarters we played we combined for probably 11 points," Bassick coach Bernie Lofton said. "All year long, the third quarter has been our best quarter, but we've struggled the past two games. We got the kind of shots we wanted and attacked the basket. Our shots just didn't fall for us."
Lofton, who took over as head coach this season after serving as an assistant for 30 years, said he's looking forward to working with the young team again next season.
"I love doing this, I'm a 30-year man and now that the team is really mine, I'm of course, looking forward to next season. Our kids are learning and the future of our team is bright. We'll do it the Bassick way."
The Cardinals seized the momentum in the third quarter from the start, going on an 8-0 run to take a 39-32 lead. Wolf keyed the run with a pair of baskets in the paint and Byrd got the Cards going off the fastbreak. Ahead 44-34 after three quarters, Greenwich outscored Bassick 17-8 the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to go ahead 61-42. GHS was sparked by its strong defensive play and loud home Senior Night crowd throughout.
"It was great for us to come out here and have great support from the crowd," Byrd said. "That great atmosphere really gave us a lot of confidence."
The Lions jumped out to a 7-0 advantage behind a basket from Ancrum and a 3-pointer from Rajohn James, but the Cardinals went on an 8-0 spurt, ignited by a pair of baskets in transition from senior Jonathan Palmer. A dunk by Wolf off a pass from senior point guard Tommy Povinelli, put GHS up, 16-10, later in the quarter.
"This has been a very memorable season so far," Wolf said. "We're proud of what we accomplished during the regular season, but now we're 0-0 going into the FCIAC Tournament, so we really have to focus on reaching our goals."
Junior guard Griffin Golden added eight points for the Cardinals, while guard Curhone Baldwin contributed eight for the Lions.
"Overall, it was a great Senior Night," Brehm said. "We gave up some rebounds in the first half, but we hit the boards better in the second. This is a great group of guys."
Said GHS senior forward Kyle Foote: "All year long our seniors have brought it each day in practice and that's been a huge key to our success."
The Cards, who beat Wilton 63-38 last month, know they can't look past anyone in the postseason.
"It's been an amazing season, Greenwich has never had a season like this," GHS senior guard Patrick Santini said. "Now we want to get that banner. There is no banner up there for basketball and we want to change that."
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-625-4423
Greenwich 65, Bassick 58
Kobe Ancrum 5 7-10 19; Curhone Baldwin 3 2-2 8; Rajohn James 4 4-5 13; Carl Brown 7 0-0 14; Ted Colas 1 1-2 3; Davante Whitehurst 0 0-0 0; Keante Smith 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 14-9 57.
CJ Byrd 9 1-2 20; Alex Wolf 9 6-8 24; Jonathan Palmer 2 0-2 4; Leonel Hyatt 0 0-0 0; Tommy Povinelli 0 5-6 5; Kyle Foote 1 0-0 2; Matt Ellsworth 1 0-0 2; Patrick Santini 0 0-0 0; Griffin Golden 4 0-0 8. Totals: 22 12-18 65.
Fouled out: none


text:
Cardinals making Major developments in Minors
ST. LOUIS -- Just 21 years old and only one year removed from the college mound, Michael Wacha arrived at Busch Stadium last May for his Major League debut.
Wacha's ascension to the Majors came less than one year after he was selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. By the end of that season, he was in Double-A. Wacha started his second year in Triple-A and two World Series starts would conclude his first season in the big leagues.
ST. LOUIS -- Just 21 years old and only one year removed from the college mound, Michael Wacha arrived at Busch Stadium last May for his Major League debut.
Wacha's ascension to the Majors came less than one year after he was selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. By the end of that season, he was in Double-A. Wacha started his second year in Triple-A and two World Series starts would conclude his first season in the big leagues.
For a Cardinals organization that has put added emphasis on building from within -- to the tune of 15 current players in the Majors who have been drafted and developed by St. Louis -- that cycle is continuing.
"We understand that it does take patience, but at the same time, we make sure the players understand that we also have expectations, too," Cards director of player development Gary LaRocque said. "Different players are moving up through the system now, and we have to have them ready for the big league club on the timetable and the timeframe that fits their development. That's the challenge we go through all the time."
The Cardinals' top two picks from last year's Draft, Rob Kaminsky and Marco Gonzales, are currently ranked as the organization's No. 3 and No. 4 prospects, respectively, by MLB.com.
Gonzales, much like Wacha, was drafted out of college and has moved up the ranks quickly. The 22-year-old left-hander began the season at Class A Advanced Palm Beach, but he quickly moved up after posting a 1.43 ERA and striking out 32 hitters in 37 2/3 innings. In 27 1/3 innings at Double-A, Gonzales has struck out 32 with a 2.63 ERA.
"He started his season off after Spring Training in Palm Beach and pitched well there, and really, really showed that he was ahead of that level," LaRocque said. "He obviously earned the chance to go to the Double-A level. He's doing fine and we're pleased with where he's at in terms of getting quality innings in at the Double-A level."
Kaminsky, meanwhile, started the season in extended spring camp to work on developing command of his fastball. Kaminsky, 19, has since been moved to Class A Peoria, where he has a 1.72 ERA in 31 1/3 innings.
"He's handled it very well," LaRocque said. "As a 19-year-old in the Midwest League and to be competing for that league level is a challenge for any player. It's always a challenge for a first full-season player to do that, and he's handled it well."
If there are two areas of strength for the organization in recent years, it has been an abundance of pitching and outfielders. MLB.com's No. 2 prospect Oscar Taveras made his much-anticipated arrival in the Majors last month and No. 11 St. Louis prospect Randal Grichuk is already with the Major League club, too.
Those promotions have left No. 2 prospect Stephen Piscotty as the Cards' top Minor League outfielder. Piscotty, 23, is hitting .291 at Triple-A, with four homers, 17 doubles and 33 RBIs. Just one year ago, he moved through both Class A and Double-A in his first year playing the outfield.
"He's moved his way right through the system and done a very good job," LaRocque said. "He's accelerated at that pace and is obviously on track for a really strong year at the Triple-A level. The big thing there, what we do see is the opportunity that we wanted to give him a full season of at-bats at the highest level right now, that's Triple-A right now -- he's done well with it."
Because of the influx of outfielders at the higher levels, players like No. 6 prospect James Ramsey were sent to Double-A following Spring Training to get a sufficient number of at-bats. The 24-year-old, who will soon come off the disabled list, has hit .305 with 11 homers.
LaRocque's philosophy has been to get hitters like Ramsey at-bats, insisting that performance still gives Double-A players an opportunity to advance.
"We've proven in the past that players can move up from our Double-A and Triple-A levels," LaRocque said. "Last year, for example, we had five players play at Double-A that ended up coming in the big leagues. The most important thing is that they're getting quality at-bats on a consistent basis. It just so happens we've used our Double-A level to do that."
The cycle will continue after the Cardinals selected 42 players in the 2014 Draft. For a third straight year, that included a college pitcher, Florida State's Luke Weaver, with the top selection.
"It's very important that you place players in the right spot and very important that they have a level of success early on," LaRocque said. "We go through that together as a staff. We sit down during that process to make sure the players are placed in the right spot."
Alex Halsted is an associate reporter for MLB.com.


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Have you ever gotten frustrated after combing through search results that aren't even related to what you're seeking?
Or how about having to repeatedly press the back button in Google Chrome to find that website you saw about eight pages ago?
Google is loaded with tips and tricks that make it easier to search for content and navigate websites.
Even if you've read dozens of tip articles and claim you're a Google expert, chances are there are a few hidden gems you've yet to uncover.
Here are a few hacks that will help you zip around Google Search and Google Chrome like a pro.
Use two periods to set a range in Google Search
When shopping, most people are seeking items within a designated price range. Google allows you to set this range by typing two periods between numbers. This cuts down on the keystrokes needed to perform your search and cuts down words, making it easier for Google to pull up exact results. For example, if you're trying to find a camera between $50 and $100, you'd type "camera $50..$100" as shown above.
Hold the back browser button to see your history
You don't need to click the back button a million times to navigate back a few pages. Just hover your cursor over the back button and hold the left click button down. This will pull up the last several pages you've visited along with an option to view your full history.
Use the OR operator to search Google
Sometimes you need to quickly find search results that only contain one word in your search query. Without using the OR operator, Google will automatically retrieve results with both terms. For example, if you're trying to search for restaurants in Brooklyn or Queens, use the OR operator to find places to eat in both boroughs. Without it, you'll end up with a search result such as Queens Italian Restaurant in Brooklyn.
Use an asterisk to replace words in Google Search
If you're in a rush or simply can't remember a word in a phrase you'd like to search for, use an asterisk in its place. This will tell Google to fill in the blanks. Of course, with autocomplete you rarely need to type out a full phrase as it is. But there are some instances in which this shortcut could come in handy, such as when you want to find the lyrics to an obscure song.
Use the URL bar instead of going to Google.com
You don't need to head over to Google.com to search the Web in Google Chrome. Simply type your search query into the same bar you use for entering website addresses.
Browse in Incognito Mode to avoid tracking your history
Google Chrome's Incognito Mode allows you to browse the Web without keeping track of your history. This doesn't mean you're invisible, however. Employers and service providers will still be able to see what you're doing, but the browser won't record your history. This can be useful when you're logging in to a computer you don't regularly use, such as at a friend's house or at the library. It also saves time since you don't have to clear your history after browsing.
Middle-click a tab in the Chrome browser to close it instantly
It's easy to get overwhelmed with tabs in Chrome. If you've got too many tabs open, you can press the middle button or scroll wheel on your mouse to immediately close a tab you're not using.
Look for the speaker symbol on tabs
When you've got a million tabs open and can't tell where sound is coming from, keep an eye out for the little speaker symbol on any tabs you've got open. This will tell you if there's a video, song or any other type of audio playing from that website.
Get the latest Google stock price here.


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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech volleyball is back in action for the 2012 season. The Golden Eagles open the 2012 campaign traveling east to Chattanooga for the Country Inns & Suites Invitational. In a weekend which pegs Tech against two first time opponents, the Golden Eagles kick off the tournament at 3:00 p.m. CT against USC Upstate. Saturday the Golden Eagles have two matches lined up, taking on the Braves of Alcorn State at 9:00 a.m. CT and in the tournament finale Tech faces the host UT Chattanooga at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Friday, Aug. 24
3:00 p.m. CT - Tech vs. USC Upstate
Online Coverage: Live Stats, Live Video
Saturday, Aug. 25
9:00 p.m. CT - Tech vs. Alcorn State
Online Coverage: Live Stats, Live Video
6:00 p.m. CT - Tech vs. UT Chattanooga
Online Coverage: Live Stats, Live Video
Tech returns 12 players from last year's squad, which finished 5-25 overall, including all seven starters. Head coach John Blair also added two freshman to the roster. Blair is entering his tenth season at the helm of the Golden Eagles. Last season Blair became the second coach in Tech history to earn his 100th victory at UT Chattanooga.
Junior Natalie Penrod is back to lead the team. Penrod registered a team high 301 kills and 3.01 kills/set last season.
Senior Kelsey Gray will be the go to middle for Tech after a successful spring season. In 2011, Gray averaged 2.13 kill/set and led the team with 106 total blocks and .96 blocks/set. Gray's blocking effort placed Tech atop the OVC with a team 2.03 blocks/set average.
Sophomore outside Ellen Conti will also be making a splash at the net. The 2011 OVC-Newcomer evolved into one of Tech's most consistent players last season, falling second on the team with 248 kills.
The Golden Eagles will look for leadership from senior setter Madi Comperry. Comperry ran an offense that ended the season with a .143 attack percentage. This summer Comperry participated in the European Global Challenge, she spent two weeks in Europe playing against some of the top club teams from Germany.
This is the first meeting for Tech and USC Upstate.
Scouting the Spartans
USC Upstate returns four starters from the 2011 season. The Spartans went 8-21 last season, finishing tenth in the Atlantic Sun Conference, with a 2-11 record in league play.
This is the first meeting for Tech and Alcorn State
Scouting the Braves
Alcorn state returns six letterwinners from the 2011 squad. Last season the Braves went 3-29, finishing fifth in SWAC West.
The in-state rivals have played each other 35 times, and Tech holds a 27-8 advantage. Last season Tech edged out the Mocs in a 3-2 victory (25-17, 25-19, 27-29, 19-15, 15-13).
Scouting the Mocs
Last season the Mocs went 5-26, and finished sixth in the Southern Conference. UT Chattanooga returns six starters and their libero. The Mocs averaged a .139 team attack percentage.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Golden Eagles will return to the court at Xavier University, the second of four tournaments kicking off the 2012 season. Tech will battle Xavier (8/31), Marquette (9/1) and Ole Miss (9/1) in some of the toughest competition of the season.
CATCH THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Fans can watch the Country Inns & Suites Invitational live and catch Live stats via UT Chattanooga here.
SOCIAL NETWORKING: Like TTU Sports on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get updates on the Golden Eagle volleyball team this season. Both sites will be updated live during matches this year.
HEAD COACH: John Blair continues his reign as head coach by reaching the decade mark becoming only the second coach in Tech history to do so.
During the 2011 season, Blair reached another milestone, earning his 100th victory at UT Chattanooga in a five-set thriller. Blair has had continued success since he lead the Golden Eagles to a conference championship in 2008, making it to the OVC tournament four out of the past five seasons.
Blair earned his 69th OVC victory last season when the Golden Eagles defeated Eastern Kentucky on November 11. Blair now has 373 wins after 27 years as a head coach, including 104 career wins at Tennessee Tech, making him the third winningest coach in program history.
SENIORS: There are three seniors leading the 2012 squad. Madi Comperry, Katrina Dvorken and Kelsey Gray lead the Golden Eagles and are looking to get back to the OVC tournament. The trio has a career record 26-63. They have accumulated four tournament wins and appeared two OVC Tournaments.


text: |© 2002-2013 Quick Technologies Inc. Information in the Knowledge Base is for your personal use in obtaining information and solving issues related to SAGE products and services. All information is provided AS-IS without any warranty of any kind. Quick Technologies Inc. shall not be responsible for any damage resulting from your use of such information, including without limitation any consequential, special, or incidental damages. Quick Technologies Inc. does not endorse any other party's company or products mentioned on this site.


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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - For the second time this season, the Tennessee Tech baseball team (6-4) will host a Big Ten opponent when Michigan State (4-4) comes to town for a two-games series on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Golden Eagles will meet the Spartans for the first time in program history.
Tech is coming off a strong weekend, taking two games from Bowling Green in a crazy weekend that saw a game suspended and another cancelled due to inclement weather. It marked the first time the Golden Eagles defeated the Falcons in school history, a mark that was also accomplished against Illinois earlier in the season.
The Golden Eagles defeated their first Big Ten opponent of the season, beating Illinois twice in a three-game set. It marked the first time the two programs met and now Tech holds a 2-1 series advantage.
|March 3
|Clarksville, Tenn.
|Austin Peay
|March 3
|Clarksville, Tenn.
|Austin Peay
|March 4
|Clarksville, Tenn.
|Austin Peay
|5 p.m.
Michigan State will enter its series against Tech just one day after wrapping up a three-game set against Austin Peay. The teams split the first two games, with the Spartans earning a 4-3 win in Game 2.
The leading bat for Michigan State this season has been Blaise Salter. He owns a .343 average in eight games played, collecting 12 hits and five RBI with two doubles and four runs scored.
Pitchers for the contests have yet to be determined because of the delays of the Austin Peay series. The Spartans own a 4.59 team ERA through eight games this year, recording 68 strikeouts in 68.2 innings. They have walked just 25 batters and given up 67 hits leading to 35 earned runs.
Just one week after garnering OVC Player of the Week honors, junior Brandon Thomasson racked up bases for the second straight week. After mashing three home runs in last week's contests, he roped two triples in two days agains Bowling Green. Both hits were key to Golden Eagle wins and helped raise his average to .308 on the season. He now has 14 RBI for the year along with eight extra base hits and a .769 slugging percentage.
Four other Tech batters own averages over .300 this season, inlcuding Dylan Bosheers, Zach Zarzour, James Abraham, and Austin Wulf. Bosheers leads the team with five doubles this season, driving in six RBI. Wulf ranks on the top of the hits and average list for the Golden Eagles, recording 15 hits this year for a .395 mark. He also leads the team in on-base percentage with a .511 mark.
Junior slugger Zach Stephens has certainly been tough for pitcher's to deal with, drawing 14 walks already this year. He is also tied for second in RBI with Michael Morris, with both driving in eight runs each this season.
The Golden Eagle pitching staff has been lights out in the strike out department, sitting down 89 batters on strikes this season in 89.0 innings. They allow batters to hit just .289 against them.