Campus Informer

St. John’s Calls for Stronger Gun Safety Legislation; Lafayette Selects First Female President

Posted Thursday, January 17, 2013 in Campus Informer by Christine Dickason

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  • St. John’s Calls for Stronger Gun Safety Legislation; Lafayette Selects First Female President

College Presidents Unite on Gun Violence Prevention. Mike Peters, the president of St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico added his signature to an open letter asking government officials and policymakers emphasizing to take immediate action regarding gun violence and gun laws. Peters said he signed the letter because it's his “duty to speak out and encourage a national dialogue on this crucial issue.” Lawrence M. Schall, the president of Oglethorpe University, penned the letter in December 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, garnering hundreds of signatures from college presidents. [Yahoo]

Lafayette College Chooses First Female President. Alison R. Byerly accepted Lafayette College’s offer to be the 17th president of the institution, becoming the school's first female to take the post. Byerly gained recognition for her expertise on the changing landscape of education in the digital age. The head of the board of trustees at Lafayette, Edward W. Ahart, praised Byerly. “She has a collaborative, open and communicative style and brings great passion and humor in addition to enormous energy and enthusiasm,” he said. [NY Times]

World’s Largest Student Film Festival Returns to University of Alabama. Student filmmakers will have the opportunity to showcase a short sample of their work at Campus MovieFest, a student film festival, hosted by the University of Alabama this year. A panel comprised of students, staff, and faculty will judge the young filmmakers who are given only one week to shoot and edit to produce a five-minute film.Garrett Thomas, a past participant, noted the high intensity of the competition. He said the festival tested one’s creativity and “ability to adapt and overcome problems.” On Jan. 31, the winning films will be showcased in the Ferguson Center Ballroom on the University of Alabama campus. [The Crimson White]

Colleges Urge Undocumented Students to Seek Aid. California signed their version of the DREAM Act in 2011, making undocumented students eligible for certain state-based scholarships and financial aid. Merced College hired several advisers to help eligible students apply for new opportunities for financial aid granted by the new legislation, which opens doors to a more affordable college education. Director of Financial Aid at UC Merced Sharon Reinhardt, said that 50 fee waivers have been handed out thus far. [Merced Sun-Star]

  Christine Dickason is a Communications Intern with Campus Progress. You can follow her on Twitter @cdickason11.

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