The Ithacan Thu rsday, April 25 , 20 13
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Volume 80 , I s s u e 2 7
MOOC MADNESS
Many are saying MOOCs are an undeniable part of the future, and residential colleges like Ithaca College are trying to see how they fit into the picture.
DESIGN BY EMILY FULLER
by nicole ogrysko senior writer
As the price of four-year public and private universities increases nationwide, online education companies are offering up massive open online courses — otherwise known as MOOCs — as a way to bring higher education to students who cannot afford the traditional campus experience. Now, private colleges like Ithaca College are
questioning their place in the rapidly changing arena of higher education. In a letter from Ithaca College President Tom Rochon to college employees in February, he said, “We were particularly struck in the justconcluded Board meeting by the depth with which Trustees discussed the subject of online learning, including the rapid development of Massive Open Online Courses, as a threat to the
residential college model.” This comes as colleges and universities grapple with how to best embrace or compete with online education companies like Coursera and Udacity, which offer a range of online courses for free or at a low cost. Simultaneously, a student could take The Future of Humankind from
See moocs, page 4
Sandra Steingraber released after serving eight days behind bars by noreyana fernando assistant news editor
Ithaca College distinguished scholar-in-residence Sandra Steingraber, whose environmental activism has often been the focus of national attention, was released from the Chemung County Jail at about 12:20 a.m. Thursday, according to her spokesperson. She was arrested at a demonstration in Watkins Glen last month, where she and a group of 11 others protested a planned salt cavern gas storage facility at Seneca Lake. Steingraber is a renowned ecologist and internationally recognized expert on environmental effects on human health. She was featured on Bill Moyers’ talk show, where she discussed her arrest. On April 17, the day after the conversation was taped, she went to jail. Steingraber was charged with trespassing and was sentenced to a maximum of 15 days in jail after
Supporters greet Sandra Steingraber outside jail early Thursday. From left, Steingraber, husband Jeff deCastro, Jim Morra and wife Melissa Chipman. courtesy of Dan Rappaport
she refused to pay a fine imposed by the Reading Court. She was released after eight days in jail. Local businesswoman Melissa Chipman and farm owner Michael Dineen were also released along
SEason's end Theater department performs final play of the year, page 13
with Steingraber, after being sentenced to jail for refusing to pay their fines of $375 each. The group was greeted by a crowd of about 100 supporters outside the jail Thursday morning,
according the spokesperson. On the day Steingraber was in court, more than 150 people gathered in Reading, N.Y., to support the three defendants who had previously pled guilty. Steingraber was among 11 Finger Lakes residents arrested in a demonstration on March 18 against Missouri-based company Inergy Midstream. L.P., Inergy is an energy infrastructure and distribution company. In 2008, Inergy purchased salt caverns from U.S. Salt and plans to develop liquefied petroleum gas storage. The protesters were opposing the company’s potential expansion. According to a press release from Steingraber’s spokesperson, Inergy’s gas storage and transportation project threatens the drinking water supply for 100,000 people. Ithaca College senior Katarina
Andersson was also among those arrested. Andersson said the courtroom was packed with people from the community, who gathered in support during her April 3 hearing. Andersson was also fined $375, which was paid by a community of supporters from all over the state, including Schuyler County, Tompkins County and Yates County. “Most of them, I didn’t know,” she said. “They were just people from all over who were standing in opposition to fracking and in support of the Seneca Lake 12.” Chris Tate is the co-founder and member of the board of directors of the Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative. Tate, who is a spokesperson for Steingraber, said Steingraber found out about her release through a newspaper. “She had no prior knowledge
See protest, page 4
Seven wonders
Fit to post
Women's lacrosse team seniors share time on and off the field, page 23
The media must take time when reporting national crises, page 10
f ind m or e onl ine. www.t heit hacan.org