School of Medicine Initiative: How you can help (Jan. 2005)

Press Release from the School of Medicine Initiative published January 2005.

Dec.25 School of Medicine Public Affairs Campaign Plan

Details the School of Medicine's Public Affairs Campaign Plan as of January 4, 2006.

Diversity in Education: Profiles of Students at FIU's School of Hospitality Management

The authors are conducting a study of career patterns for students enrolled in the Florida International University School of Hospitality Management. A preliminary ethnographic phase of the study was to profile a variety of student participants in order to identify potential factors which might affect career patterns. The result is a fascinating and diverse mosaic of ambitious young people and a wealth of insight for corporate recruiting.

Historical analysis of two contemporary issues at the International Community School of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire: Local -hired and overseas -hired teacher relationships. Community perceptions of the U.S. Embassy at ICSA

This study was a qualitative investigation to ascertain and describe two of the current issues at the International Community School of Abidjan, examine their historical bases, and analyze their impact on the school environment.^ Two issues emerged during the inquiry phase of this study: (1) the relationship between local-hired and overseas-hired teachers in light of the January 1994 devaluation which polarized the staff by negating a four-year salary scale that established equity, (2) the school community's wide variance in the perceived power that the U.S. Embassy has on school operations based on its role as ICSA's founding sponsor.^ A multiple studies approach was used in gathering data. An extensive examination of the school's archives was used to reconstruct an historical overview of ICSA. An initial questionnaire was distributed to teachers and administrators at an educational conference to determine the scope of the 1994 devaluation of the West and Central African CFA and its impact on school personnel in West African American-sponsored overseas schools (ASOS). Personal interviews were conducted with the school staff, administration, school board members, and relevant historical participants to determine the principal issues at ICSA at that time. The researcher, an overseas-hired teacher, also used participant observations to collect data. Findings based on these sources were used to analyze the two issues from an historical perspective and to form conclusions.^ Findings in this study pertaining to the events induced by the French and African governments' decision to implement a currency devaluation in January 1994 were presented in ex post-facto chronological narrative form to describe the events which transpired, describe the perception of school personnel involved in these events, examine the final resolution and interpret these events within a historical framework for analysis.^ The topic of the U.S. Embassy and its role at ICSA emerged inductively from open-ended personal interviews conducted over the course of a year. Contradictory perspectives were examined and researched for accuracy and cause. The results of this inquiry presented the U.S. Embassy role at ICSA from a two-sided perspective, examined the historical role of the Embassy, and presented means by which the role and responsibility of the U.S. Embassy could best be communicated to the school community.^ The final chapter provides specific actions for mediation of problems stemming from these issues, implications for administrators and teachers currently involved in overseas schools or considering the possibility, and suggestions for future inquiries.^ Examination of a two-tier salary scale for local-hired and overseas-hired teachers generated the following recommendations: movement towards a single salary scale when feasible, clearly stated personnel policies and full disclosure of benefits, a uniform certification standard, professional development programs and awareness of the impact of this issue on staff morale.^ Divergent perceptions and attitudes toward the role of the U.S. Embassy produced these recommendations: a view towards limiting the number of Americans on ASOS school boards, open school board meetings, selection of Embassy Administrative Officers who can educate school communities on the exact role of the Embassy, educating parents through the outreach activities that communicate American educational philosophy and involve all segments of the international community, and a firm effort on the part of the ASOS to establish the school's autonomy from special interests. ^

Key Organizational Resources and the Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration: Suggestions for Tourism & Educational Programs in China

Tourism and hospitality scholars and educational institutions in developing countries can benefit from systematic analysis of their counterparts in developed countries. Using the framework of sustainable competitive advantage, this paper explores the key organizational resources of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University that have assured its position as the leading hospitality program worldwide. The paper analyses key resources Cornell Hotel School uses to leverage and sustain its competitive advantage. Suggestions for positioning and enhancing future Chinese tourism and hospitality programs are provided. [Abstract in Chinese] 中国旅游发展起步较晚,在旅游教育的多数领域落后于西方发达国家。选择西方优秀旅游院系进行系统研究并总结其成功经验,对于提高我国旅游教育水平有着重要的意义。本文以持续竞争优势理论为框架,以全球旅游接待业教育的典范——康乃尔酒店管理学院为对象,详细分析了这所著名酒店学院的核心资源和确保其长期保持领袖地位的持续竞争优势,并提出可供中国旅游教育界参考借鉴的措施建议