The Dark Side of Higher Education

By Zephyrus Lucrex

Investment banks has fallen, national banks have betrayed our trust, government actions in majority of countries around the world are being frowned upon by the people (examples include the Gaza war, the Wall street bailout which is a bailout for the rich while the main street suffers the burden) and you just don’t know who the heck to trust anymore. Since you can’t put you faith in Uncle Sam or whatever, you put your trust on institutions of higher education, universities, polytechnics and others. You figure that their vaulted names are what is dependable on and they can deliver you wisdom, excellence, success and a great livelihood. The rest of the world, banks, public schools, environment, corporations etc, may be going to hell but you trust that if you try hard enough, and pay enough, you’ll get your money’s worth at universities that promises so much.

As a result of this belief, you incur tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands in student loans or loans from parents (if you have a heart, you will consider it as a loan) since it is too much a sum to pay off on your own. As what is shared with me by a senior member of a university, a student’s school fees is only a very small fraction of the amount that the university needs, with the rest coming from government(also not a very huge sum) and the private sector, foundations, companies and like (a very significant amount).

It’s just economics from here on. Times are bad. Universities are facing more and more competition, since there are many hungry wolves out there scraping for a piece of the slice of higher education industry that has a growth rate that is increasing every year. Since a significant of funds of universities come from the private sector, these institutions will not want to part with their highly paid directors who know how to develop relationships with highly generous alumni. They don’t want to scale down their astronomical building and expansion plans either. They certainly don’t want to lower tuition rates or housing or other fees.

The question now is this: Faced with more competition, more uncertainty about global outlook, more needs of funds (for the development of the infrastructure, the ever growing salary of professors and other stuff) and lesser donations from the private sector (again due to uncertainty and budget tightening), where are they going to “squeeze” the funds from?

The answer: Students. The interests of the students will be sacrificed because they are the least protected and most innocent of the whole academic community. There are numerous articles online that will support this. Sure, Yours Truly think that around 25% of them are too far from the truth, but the sheer amount of complaints, dis-satisfaction and other related articles are just too much to ignore. I don’t believe that all of these allegations are false, how can it be?

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The History of the Cap and Gown in Higher Education

By Sarah Maple

Higher education is changing and increasing in popularity year on year. Newly available subjects and the option to study online courses highlight the influence of the modern and fast-advancing world on university life, yet certain traditions still remain. Wearing a cap and gown on graduation day is still standard for all graduates whether they have studied from home or just completed a BA in Pet Name Studies. But why do we wear the cap and gown? And how has it changed?

In Britain and the United States, the style of the contemporary cap and gown is influenced by the dress of Oxford and Cambridge students, and the robes worn by clerics beforehand. Through history, the colour of undergraduate’s robes would reflect their rank, much in the same way that today the gown’s yoke might be of a colour to identify the subject area of study. Noblemen would wear gowns with gold lace and button decorations whilst lower ranking students, such as commoners, would wear far more simple robes. The sleeves of the gown may vary today, with bell-shaped sleeves for BA students, and closed sleeves for MA students.

Through the 15th and 16th centuries the hood began to be seen less in ordinary dress, but was instead re-appropriated into the conservative wear of universities and other institutions. The hood went through a phase of modification, being oversized for a period, and then being given the additional liripipe which might well have been used to strap under the chin to keep the headpiece secure. Today, the colour and design of hood may vary from institution to institution and achievement to achievement.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of graduation-wear is the mortarboard (or Trencher Cap). The design of this intriguing accessory is derived from the square biretta worn by the clergy in medieval times. Over the centuries, Academia became gradually less connected with the church and subsequently the headwear worn by both sectors changed unlike one other. Although the church kept the biretta, it was the square style that survived in the universities and institutions. Nowadays, the mortarboard varies typically from a simple black cap with black tassels for undergraduates and sometimes gold tassels (or other colours) for university officials. Instead, doctors might also wear a tam, a soft rounded hat.

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Arts and Design Higher Education Training Possibilities

By Renata McGee

The industry of art and design applies to several fields that can be entered at a professional level with the correct amount of schooling. Vocational arts and design schools and colleges offer students the opportunity to work through training programs with concentrations in many areas. Programs have students stepping into careers within two years or less.

This field pertains to careers in areas that include interior design, fashion design, commercial art, and merchandising. Before students set out to obtain degrees from vocational colleges they should know what training options are available. Knowing the options allows students to enter the correct programs associated with their career goals. Program possibilities are generally awarded at the certificate and associate’s degree level by vocational colleges. Students that complete associates degree programs will have more career options that often times result in higher pay. Associates degree programs cover course material more in depth preparing students for professional work. Possible training opportunities include specific areas such as:

*Fashion Design

Students that have a flair for clothing and accessories will be able to put their talents to use by gaining an education in fashion design. A useful foundation in many areas is gained at the associate’s degree level. Students work with visual merchandising techniques, textiles, sketches, fabrics, and more to develop their own personal design style while learning the basics of the field. The terminology and the crucial staples of the industry are explored to develop technical experience. Fashion manufacturing is studied in regards to skills needed in pattern development, sewing, and illustration. Several entry-level positions can be obtained, which include careers as seamstresses, fashion designers, and assistant fashion buyers.

*Commercial Art

This avenue of the field can be highly advantageous for students that want to work in the advertising industry. Through the study of design students are able to take their knowledge and create logos, book covers, product packages, and more. Education stresses the ability to promote, describe, narrate, and enlighten. Vocational training is typically used to transition into traditional college programs at the bachelor’s degree level. Certificate programs develop an understanding of several key components such as composition, Internet art, and drawing. Associates degree programs develop skills in areas that include color theory, desktop publishing, photography, and multimedia design. Continue Reading

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Pulling off the US College Look

The increasingly popular US college look has given men’s casual weara new sense of youthfulness.
Students are settling into a new term of education after a summer packed full of festivals, booze and parties.
Over the past few years the US college look has invaded the UK and this you may be in search of a fresh look for a brand new term.
Over the past few years we have had a huge doze of US college fashion through TV shows such as The O.C. And One Tree Hill and brands have accommodated for this.
There’s a few brands that have really promoted this look over the last few years.
Fly53 has been supplying the youth of the UK with fresh clothes for 17 years, and has been established since 1994.
The brand prides itself on been streetwise, independent and current and that’s exactly what you need to pull off the US college look.
The US college jacket is probably the most iconic look and Fly 53 has the perfect addition the ‘Havana’ Retro Indie Mod College Jacket in Black and Grey.
Anyone wanting to pull off the US college look should definitely consider the Fly 53 Jackets as it’s modern and compliments the look perfectly.
Another key look is the US college hoodies, if you walk down any street in the UK you will probably see one but which hoodie is the best?
Renowned for their quality and originality Franklin & Marshall hoodies are popular amongst many fashion conscious men. 
Franklin and Marshall was established in 1999 by Giuseppe Albarelli and Andrea Pensiero who saw a gap in the fashion market for American College wear in just 12 years they have become one of the leaders in US college fashion.
The company prides itself on variety, comfort, individuality and a splash of vintage to give you something that is inspired by US college fashion but gives you the opportunity to ad your own unique twist.
A T-Shirt is a necessity to any man but the right one is key to the US college look and no item is in demand more than a Original Penguin T-Shirt.
Original Penguin was created by Abbot Pedersen who was inspired by a stuffed Penguin named Pete and one too many drinks in 1955.  
They have a great selection of Polo Shirts of real quality including styles such as The Pub, The Tilt and The Saddle all will definitely help you compliment the US college look.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more formal for the US college look then why not try La Martina Shirts.
La Martina from Argentina is renowned worldwide for it’s association with polo and their shirts which are ideal for anyone wanting a more well groomed US college look.
The US college look has never been so popular worldwide, the jackets are frequently worn by some of the world’s biggest stars and the look is now imprinted firmly into the British psyche through these brands.  

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