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) Better, costlier, smaller SUNY in the future?
ALBANY -- The State University New York's future includes moderate, but regular increases in tuition, more cost for taxpayers, and perhaps fewer but significantly better colleges and universities, according to the vision of two men nominated to lead the system. The state Senate heard Wednesday from Carl Hayden and H. Carl McCall, Gov. Eliot Spitzer's nominees to the SUNY Board of Trustees. Hayden, the former state Regent and schools chancellor who oversaw bolstered standards and testing in public schools, is nominated to be chairman of the 16-member board. "I think what's been missing is an aspirational standard," the Elmira attorney told the Senate Higher Education Committee. "I believe in uniform, high expectations." Spitzer picked Hayden to lead a board with a majority chosen by former Republican Gov. More>> - (
) Local firm still operational despite losses
A company public relations spokesman said Thursday he was unaware of any plans for closure by Champion Parts, Inc., but company officials remained unavailable for comment at press time Friday.Alex Tassos of Alex Tassos and Associates of Escondido, Calif., declined to speak for attribution beyond stating that he had not been informed of any definitive plans for the company's future structure. Tassos' firm provides business-related public relations and information for Champion.However, Hempstead County Economic Development Corp. President Wesley Woodard said Thursday that “they are operational," referring to questions about Champion. . More>> - (
) Student loan forgiveness program a blessing and a curse
Abroad swath of public service workers - including school, government, health care, nonprofit and military employees - can have their remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years in public service and 10 years of loan payments under a bill awaiting President Bush's signature.The program, however, will benefit future public servants more than existing ones because payments made before Oct. 1 will not count toward the 10 years of repayment. Only payments made after Oct. 1 will count.
That infuriates David Rapaport, a history teacher at Palo Alto High School who has been working in the public sector and paying off his student loans for 12 years.
"It doesn't reward the people who are in the trenches, doing the job, paying back their loans. More>>
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) Energy Sector Roundup
Following is a summary of top stories in the energy sector Thursday afternoon.Foreign Investors, Speculators Drive oil higher
Oil prices surged, rising to new records near $90 a barrel. Analysts said the falling dollar drew new foreign investors and speculators to dollar-denominated energy futures.
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) Company sheds debt, returns to growth track
Josh Modi says it is almost impossible to get through the day without coming into contact with a product from Hercules and its Aqualon business.During a tour of the Aqualon area at the Hercules Research Center west of Wilmington, it is clear that the Technical Sales Service Manager for Aqualon can back up the claim.The water-soluble products from the company are used in everything from shaving gel to toothpaste and shampoo.In fact, the company buys a large quantity of human hair as it tests whether its ingredient in shampoo makes combing easier. Food companies making products like microwavable pancake syrup and even soy burgers also rely on Aqualon to improve their appeal to consumers.It's a nice business not prone to the ups and downs that often characterize the chemical industry. . More>>