Tag Archives: university

College IT Index – Class of 2012

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Peter Schilling (not this one), IT Director of Amherst College, has crunched the numbers and has come up with some interesting statistics regarding the 438 newly enrolled student population. Here are a few notable points:

    – Percentage of applicants that applied online = 89%.
    – Registered devices (computers, iphones, game consoles) on the University network – 370 students registered 443 devices.
    – 14 students brought desktop computers, while 93 brought iPhones/Touch devices.
    – Likelihood of a student in class having an iPhone/Touch – 1 in 2.
    – 432 of 438 students were involved in the Amherst College Facebook group, and had posted 3,225 posts by mid August.
    – Total number of students on campus this year that have landline phone service – 5.
    – Classes 2009 and 2010 are more likely to own Windows machines, while classes of 2011 and 2012 are most likely to own Macs.

Times are changing. This survey has really made me want to do something similar here on campus.

View the complete Amherst College IT index here. See also the Benoit College Mindset list.

Saskatchewan University Strike Continues

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CUPE members at our two provinces’ Universities (University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina) have been on strike for five days now. The CUPE employees represent all support staff (e.g., caretakers, secretarial staff, food services, clerical, technicians, heating plant, etc.), positions that are essential to the mission of any University.

The Star Phoenix (Saskatoon’s Newspaper) put up an online article, “Sound off: How is the CUPE Strike … Affecting You?“. There are now dozens of emotional responses either supporting the workers, or not, and it is easy to see how much debate and emotion this issue has raised.

My reaction to all of this is simple, and I want to echo one particular comment. “To my friends and coworkers on the picket line: I have nothing but praise for your skill, knowledge, and dedication; You are very much appreciated and very much missed.”

I hope to see a quick and fair resolution to this sad situation.