Notes in the Margins: Immigration, guns and the Fighting Soux

Berkeley Chancellor's Comments on Arizona Shooting Draw Criticism The chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley is drawing rebukes from some commentators after he linked the shooting rampage in Tucson this past weekend to the failure of the Dream Act and the passage of Arizona's immigration law—an unusually political statement from a prominent university leader. (chronicle.com)

In Bid to Expand Into Student Services, Blackboard Buys Presidium Blackboard, known for its course-management software, is moving into a whole new sector. Today the company announced that it bought Presidium Inc., which provides outsourced call centers and consulting services for admissions, financial aid, and other student services, and also runs IT help desks for many colleges. (chronicle.com)

Constitutional showdown looms over 'Fighting Sioux' nickname North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, for years one of the strongest advocates for the University of North Dakota retaining its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, said that bills introduced in the Legislature on Monday to enshrine the symbols in state law face a significant constitutional hurdle. (inforum.com)

U. president takes aim at open-carry law on campus The University of Utah’s president asked school trustees Tuesday to help thwart possible legislation allowing the open display of firearms on campus, a move that could reopen a contentious debate between educators and lawmakers over gun policies. At stake are the university’s ability to attract top faculty as well as its contribution to the state’s economic development, Michael Young told trustees at their regular meeting. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Virginia to consider banning illegals from colleges Del. Christopher Peace's bill would amend state law to explicitly prohibit people who are in the United States illegally from being admitted to Virginia's public two-year or four-year institutions. Federal law prohibits such people from paying in-state tuition at colleges and universities, but they can still pursue a public college education. (hamptonroads.com)

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