The document discusses several short courses and programs happening in New England, including: 1) Lobster College, a course through the University of Maine's Lobster Institute that teaches students about lobsters and the lobster industry through hands-on experiences like hauling traps and visiting processing facilities. 2) Efforts by the University of Maine at Presque Isle to improve retention of Native American students through new programs and resources like a Native American Center. 3) A wellness fair at Newbury College that addressed healthy weight loss and sexual health in light of research on obesity risks.

1. S H O R T C O U R S E S
Room at the Inns will improve outreach to the business from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20 at the
The New England Board of Higher community on behalf of the National Kenniston Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast
Education has conducted a student Assessment of Education Progress, in Boothbay, Maine. Lobster College
vacancy survey every spring since known as “The Nation’s Report Card.” “students” will experience onsite
1960 as a public service to college- NAEP was created by Congress to learning about lobsters directly from
bound New England residents and as provide the public with information people who work in the lobster
a measure of college application trends. about the achievement of students at industry, as well as UMaine faculty.
This year, more than 70% of the grades 4, 8 and 12 in core academic Says the institute’s executive director
202 New England public and private subjects, including reading, math, writing Robert Bayer: “We’ll be taking a trip
colleges responding to the survey and science. Of the 13 task force out to haul traps, we’ll visit a working
still had fall 2009 openings for members, just one comes from a New lobster wharf, and we’ll provide lec-
freshman and transfer applicants as England company. He is Joseph E. tures on a variety of lobster-related
of the traditional May 1 deadline. Esposito, the retired CFO of Bedford, topics. We’ll even show you how to
There had been much commentary Mass.-based Solidworks Corp. bait a trap.”
this admissions season about True, one in 13 exceeds New Lobster College doubles as a
growing interest in less-costly public England’s 5% of the U.S. population fundraiser for the Lobster Institute,
institutions because of the difficult and college enrollment, but falls short whose research and outreach aim to
of the region’s perception of itself in protect, conserve and enhance the
economy. But the 2009 NEBHE
education and economic policy. vitality of the lobster as a resource,
survey found little shift: 26 of New One has to wonder: Is New England’s
England’s public four-year colleges and lobstering as an industry and
historic over-representation on
still had openings as of May 1, way of life. For more on the institute,
decision-making boards plunging
while 70 of the region’s private visit: http://www.lobsterinstitute.org.
with the economy?
four-year campuses did—similar to
past years. And despite speculation Well at Newbury
that admissions standards would rise Boosting Native Retention
In light of reports suggesting a big
The University of Maine at Presque
at the best public institutions due to increase in obesity in young adults
Isle enrolls 65 Native American
a shift from privates to publics, one and a study showing obesity may
students—the highest percentage in
source at a New England land-grant be as lethal as smoking, Newbury
the UMaine System. Early this year,
university noted that SAT scores College’s Wellness Fair this past
UMPI was awarded up to $750,000
indeed rose among students sending spring focused on the weighty
over the next four years from the
in deposits, but only modestly. subject. A dietician spoke with
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Among other findings: 42 New students individually and a seminar
to develop and improve culturally
England colleges surveyed were responsive retention strategies that addressed “Healthy Weight Loss: How
closed to both freshman and transfer help Native American students to Lose Weight and Keep It Off.”
applicants as of May 1. Twelve transition from the Native community The fair also featured info on sexual
reported openings for transfers to the university community. health and specialists on ADD/ADHD
only. Fully 95% of the colleges with The grant was made through and anxiety. Newbury’s Gay-Straight
openings indicated that financial aid Project Compass, in which the Alliance promoted self-exams for
was still available as of May 1. As in foundation funds campuses to help breast and testicular cancer. “Healthy
previous years, many community narrow the achievement gaps for behaviors are established early in
college programs in high-demand allied low-income students, students of life,” says Susan Chamandy, Newbury
health fields, including nursing, were color and students who are first director of counseling and health
full and closed to new applicants. in their family to attend college. education. “Time is of the essence.”
One college president suggested The Presque Isle grant specifically
that NEBHE repeat the annual survey calls for creating a Native American Opiate of the People?
as of June 1 to capture the admis- Center staffed with a retention team;
The share of Americans claiming no
sions colleges make to fill seats after review of academic affairs and
religion rose to 15% in 2008, up from
the traditional May 1 deadline. curriculum to offer more effective
8% in 1990, according to a survey
support to marginalized students;
by the Trinity College Program on
and reconfiguration of the roles of
New England Reps student support and advising.
Public Values. The state with the
NEJHE used to doggedly follow the highest percentage of people claim-
ups and downs of New England rep- ing no religion: Vermont at 34%. View
resentation on key national boards. The Way Life Should Be the survey report online at:
In May, 13 business leaders were The University of Maine’s Lobster http://www.americanreligionsurvey-
appointed to a new task force that Institute offers its Lobster College aris.org/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf.
4 NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION