http://www.mgslp.org/ MGSLP News Syndication en-us Copyright 2006 MGSLP http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=329 “This month Patrick Barkey took over as head of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, replacing longtime director Paul Polzin,” reports the Missoulian. “The transition in leadership at the BBER comes just as Montana's economy is also making a major transition. The Missoulian asked Polzin and Barkey to describe what sort of changes we can expect to see in the near future. Missoulian: These days we're hearing a lot of talk about recessions and overall economic uncertainty. Can you tell us what's happening in Montana right now?” Read More Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:51:32 -0600 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=329 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=328 “Advocates of providing at least 25 percent of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by the year 2025 told members of the 25x'25 steering committee that the effort, along with reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and reducing global warming, would provide millions of new jobs and billions of dollars in economic stimulus in the country, including a major impact in Montana,” reports the Havre Daily News. “By 2025 … (Montana’s) economy could be boosted $3.5 billion a year … ,” Ernie Shea, project coordinator for 25x’25 said in an interview. “If anything, we think we are being conservative,” he added. The steering committee for the 25x’25 grassroots organization pushing for the renewable energy goal met in Havre Wednesday at Montana State University- Northern’s Applied Technology Center before touring the Chester biodiesel facilities of Earl Fisher BioFuels and Bio-Agtive at the Craig Henke farm south of Chester.” Read More Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:48:15 -0600 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=328 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=327 "Recent college graduates are being encouraged to follow the money rather than follow careers in the nonprofit world because of the staggering cost of higher education. But Peter Brinckerhoff, a management consultant for nonprofit groups, believes he has a solution," The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports. "Mr. Brinckerhoff, writes on Mission-Based Management, says nonprofit groups would be better able to attract young, talented workers if local governments and community foundations offered incentives that would allow recent graduates to pay off their student loans. He says local governments could create a system in which recent graduates would see a portion of their loan debts forgiven for every year in which they work for a charity. The federal government now does that for people in certain public-service careers." Read More Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:46:33 -0600 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=327 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=326 "Families with college-age students rate access and affordability at the top of their priorities, even ahead of educational quality, according to new survey results," The State Journal reports. "Indeed, the runaway costs of a bachelor's degree are at the top of higher education issues measured by a Chronicle of Higher Education Gallup Poll. Further, while results are almost evenly split between respondents who think the federal government should intervene in controlling college costs and those who favor private-sector solutions, Americans from every demographic are looking for results. By a wide margin, the poll conducted in late winter of this year showed that Americans want colleges to use endowment funds to reduce tuition and boost financial aid. A number of proposals now before Congress would enable the federal government to police future tuition increases; as part of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, lawmakers are considering publication of a federal 'watch list' citing institutions whose tuition increases outpace the rate of inflation." Read More Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:18:22 -0600 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=326 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=325 "Despite a tough economic climate, several states are attempting to hold down college tuition - or at least not let increases get out of control - by avoiding deep cuts to higher education, an area that states have been quick to slash in past years when funds were low," Stateline reports. "In the meantime, costs are rising for colleges, which are dealing with a variety of issues, including higher energy fees and rising health insurance costs. Schools also struggle to stay competitive with peers in offering generous financial aid packages and luring top-notch faculty. So far this year, several states have ensured that higher education got a decent-sized slice of the budget pie. In oil and coal-producing states like Montana, North and South Dakota and Wyoming, support for higher education is expected to be strong, said Dan Hurley, the director of state relations at the Association of State Colleges and Universities." Read More Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:16:22 -0600 http://www.mgslp.org/index.php?module=news&article=325