Notes in the Margins: Gay profs, binge drinking and the skills gap

Study: Gay professors face discrimination from students A perception of political bias appears to play a role. (USA Today)

'Skills gap' leaves firms without worker pipeline States from Rhode Island to Washington are taking steps to address the gulf. Michigan launched a "No Worker Left Behind" initiative, allowing unemployed or low-wage workers to get up to $10,000 in free tuition for community college study or other training. Several legislatures passed bills creating "lifelong learning accounts," which, like a 401(k), help workers save for education, training or apprenticeships. The Aspen Institute is spearheading a national campaign that aims to do something that hasn't happened nearly enough: get community colleges and employers talking. (Associated Press via The Boston Globe)

Apollo Group revenue, enrollments drop in 3Q A steep drop in new students during the March-May quarter led to declining revenue for the owner of the University of Phoenix, the countrys largest for-profit school chain. (Associated Press via The Boston Globe)

Slow decline continues for binge drinking among N.D. college students The rate of binge drinking among North Dakota college students is continuing a slow decline and is now below 50 percent for the first time since 1994. The student survey has shown a decline in binge drinking since 2003. (Grand Forks Herald via University Business)

UW-Platteville skirts state building process for new dorm Partnering with a private organization is a method University of Wisconsin System chancellors may look to more as a way to build campus housing quickly without having to tiptoe through the state approval process, which can take a year or more. (Wisconsin State Journal via University Business)

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